JACK AND HYDE SHOW FOR SUPER SHAYMEN
WEALDSTONE let slip a first-half lead as they were pegged back by a dominant FC Halifax Town at Grosvenor Vale. A brilliant goal from Dennon Lewis put the Stones ahead, but strikes from Jake Hyde and Jack Earing sealed a deserved comeback for the visitors. Halifax’s manager Pete Wild said: “We controlled large parts of the game and in the end got the result they deserved with all the chances they created.” Wealdstone’s appeals for stoppage-time penalty to salvage a point were denied, with caretaker assistant manager Matt Saunders assessing: “The result was probably fair as they’re a really good team, but the decision from the ref at the end is unacceptable. It’s a blatant penalty and if it’s given, the lads walk away with a point for their hard work and effort.” Halifax started the brighter, crafting two chances within the first ten minutes, with Jack Senior volleying narrowly wide, and Tahvon Campbell prompting Harry Isted to make a fantastic save. The Shaymen enjoyed the lion’s share of possession throughout the early stages, creating another opportunity, with Senior again popping up on the left wing and firing a fierce effort on target, expertly tipped over by Isted. The visitors continued to dominate, again coming close midway through the half as Campbell shrugged off Jack Cawley, but the striker could only flash his effort wide. The Stones went ahead when Danny Green chipped a ball down the left for Lewis, who skipped past a defender and swerved a fine effort from distance into the bottom corner. As the half drew to a close, the Shaymen rallied for an equaliser; Jake Hyde converted past Isted, but it was ruled offside. Halifax started the second half on the front foot, with Hyde heading wide two minutes after the restart. The Shaymen were rewarded, profiting from a quick free-kick to draw level in the 57th minute as Jeff King’s cross found Hyde, who nodded in from close range. As Halifax continued to press, Hyde dispossessed Jacob Mendy and the forward’s effort beat the onrushing Isted, but captain Jerome Okimo produced a vital last-ditch block to prevent a certain goal. Halifax were agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 78th minute when Kieran Green unleashed a powerful strike from range, with only the crossbar denying him. Five minutes later, the Shaymen grabbed the winner as Earing cut in from the left wing and smashed a thunderous shot into the corner. Wealdstone’s appeals for stoppage time penalty to salvage a point were denied by the referee.