Halifax have lead cut to one point after home defeat to title rivals
HALIFAX LADIES firsts’ advantage at the top of Northern League East Division Two is now only a point following defeat to second-placed Newcastle last weekend.
Halifax had beaten Newcastle 4-0 earlier in the season and it was clear from the outset that the visitors were out for revenge.
A slip in defence allowed Newcastle to break the deadlock
Halifax ladies seconds produce their best display of the season but lose out to Hallam
and they went on to open up a 3-0 lead.
Halifax fought back in the second half and the pressure paid off when Dani Parker was put through one-on-one with the keeper.
The hosts earned a couple of penalty corners but were unable to take advantage and Newcastle grabbed a fourth to wrap up the points.
Halifax ladies seconds produced their best performance of the season but were very unlucky to lose 2-1 to Division Three South high flyers Sheffield Hallam.
Sheffield broke the deadlock just before the interval but the hosts fought back and levelled through Rebecca Brown’s reverse stick shot.
The visitors’ back four stood firm and frustrated the title hopefuls until two minutes from time when Hallam were awarded a penalty flick.
Tracey Ingleson was unable to keep the ball out as the hosts stole the points but Halifax can take great heart from the excellent performance ahead of this weekend’s clash with Leeds
Adel. Millie Cockcroft-Smith was the recipient of the player of the match award.
There was another clash between Halifax and Hallam sides in Yorkshire Division Two and Halifax ladies thirds fought back to earn a gutsy 3-3 draw.
Sheffield took the lead from a penalty corner midway through the first half but Courtney White then played-in Margaret Bottomley for the equaliser.
Hallam scored two quick goals in the second half to take the initiative only for White to reply with a second for Halifax.
The hosts pushed forward and they were rewarded when Helen Williams rifled in an equaliser 10 minutes from time to secure a well deserved point.
In Division Fourth North West, Halifax ladies fourths were pegged back by a late goal in drawing 2-2 at Pudsey.
Laura Neimantis’ opening goal was cancelled out in the first half but Cara Casson ended a fine move to restore the visitors’ lead.
The home side responded and their pressure resulted in an equaliser late on.
Halifax ladies fifths repelled a late fight back from Wakefield to clinch a 3-2 home win in Yorkshire Division Five.
Much of the first half proved to be an even contest but the hosts eventually found a way though when Emma Clarkson hit the target.
In the second half, Clarkson scored her second goal of the game and Sam Sutcliffe then added a third to put Halifax in control.
Wakefield staged a strong finish, scoring two goals, but Halifax held on to avenge defeat earlier in the season.