Jack’s the lad as Shaymen see off plucky Pontefract
TOWN GOT there in the end, but they were certainly made to work hard for it.
There, in this case, is the first round of the FA Cup, at home to Maidenhead. But they will do well to show as much resilience and spirit against The Shaymen as Pontefract Collieries did over 180 minutes.
The first game on Saturday was closer, with chances for both sides - the better ones arguably falling to Pontefract and Halifax nullified very effectively by a well organised and hard working side.
Tuesday night’s encounter was dominated by The Shaymen pretty much from start to finish. The hosts made several chances, again bringing some outstanding saves from Pontefract goalkeeper Ryan Musselwhite, who was the standout performer over the two games for either side.
But the sense of relief when Jack Vale scored for Town midway through the second-half was testament to the dogged, determined and diligent performance from the visitors.
As they did on Saturday, Pontefract stuck to their shape off the ball, tracked runners, cleared high balls, left no gaps and gave it everything.
Their 526 supporters at The Shay should be proud of them.
But ultimately, Halifax’s greater quality, pace and strength-in-depth was the difference.
Pete Wild’s strongest side had tried and failed to do the job at the weekend so the Town boss tried a different approach on Tuesday, bringing in Elliot Newby, Martin Woods and Jamie Allen, all of whom had impressed off the bench at Pontefract.
But even then, it needed the introduction of Vale and topscorer Billy Waters to finally make the breakthrough - a back-handed compliment to Pontefract’s resilience.
Halifax should have scored before they did. Matty Warburton had five efforts at goal in a one-sided first-half which also saw Musselwhite keep out Tyrell Warren’s close range shot after a beautiful flowing move, started by Jack Senior, continued with Warburton’s sweeping pass and topped off with Newby’s deft pass.
Aside from a Jordan Slew piledriver that flashed just wide from 25 yards, the second-half had produced little to suggest a breakthrough was imminent from the home side.
But from a superb through ball, Allen’s pace got him in-behind the Pontefract defence, and his low cross was converted by a cool and calm Vale for his first Halifax goal.
Jack’s the lad. The relief was palpable.
Now Pontefract, who had been time-wasting up until the goal, were suddenly on fast forward trying to do what five National League teams hadn’t this season, and score against The Shaymen.
They certainly upped their game and their tempo, winning their first corner, registering their first effort on target - a header easily saved - and producing some moments of panic in the Town box.
There was the odd boo as The Shaymen went back to Sam Johnson to retain possession, with some Halifax fans unhappy at their team’s apparent reluctance to kill the game off.
It was nerves that were palpable now, in some of Town’s defending and in the stands, as Pontefract battled until the end, and the hosts were unconvincing in seeing it out.
But see it out they did.
Halifax: Johnson, Warren, Maher, Senior, Green, Spence (Waters 59), Woods, Slew (Gilmour 76), Warburton, Newby (Vale 59), Allen.
Subs not used: Scott, Swaby-Neavin, McDonagh.
Scorer: Vale (65)
Shots on target: 11
Shots off target: 5
Corners: 6
Pontefract: Musselwhite, Greenhough, Clarke, Brook, Gordon, Rothery, Vann, Robson (Lazenby 68), Smith (Bailey 81), Hinsley (Hey 60), Redford. Subs not used: Williams, Brown, Collington, Clegg.
Shots on target: 1
Shots off target: 6
Corners: 1
Referee: Daniel Middleton
Attendance: 1,713 (526 away)
Town man of the match: Matty Warburton. Had several chances to score, was lively, involved in a lot of Town’s attacks and showed some nice touches and passes.
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