WILD’S BOYS HOLD ON AS GULLS MAKE FIGHT FOR IT
DESPITE racing into a three-goal lead, FC Halifax Town were forced to hold on at the end after Torquay United struck twice late on.
A brace from Jordan Slew and a third from former Gulls’ striker Billy Waters gave the Shaymen a seemingly unassailable lead, but late goals from Klaidi Lolos and Armani Little helped to set up a frantic finish.
However, Shaymen boss Pete Wild insisted that his side had produced some of their best football of the season.
“Once we grew into the game I thought we played some of our best football so far the season and I thought the first 20 minutes of the second half was the best football I’ve seen from our side,” said Wild.
“It was a bit madness at the end and having those two nervy moments was a bit frustrating because of how comfortable the game had been.”
Opposite number Gary Johnson admitted that his side’s two late goals didn’t paper over the cracks, after seeing his side slip to a third straight defeat.
“It was good to get the goals, but it didn’t paper over the cracks,” said Johnson. “The stupid five minutes after half time gave them a 3-0 lead and that upset us all. We rallied round at the end but at the end of the day we lost the game. I’ve got a lot to do and a lot to think about.”
A positive start from the Gulls saw Ben Wynter test Shaymen keeper Sam Johnson
with a long range strike that was turned behind for a corner on five minutes.
On ten minutes, Gulls’ keeper Shaun MacDonald produced a double save to deny an effort from distance from Matt Warburton and a close range shot from Waters.
The hosts threatened again on 19 minutes when Joe Lewis connected with a corner from Little, which he headed straight at Johnson.
Two minutes later, Halifax went close again as MacDonald denied an effort from Slew, which fell to Waters who saw his shot cleared off the line by Tom Lapslie.
The Shaymen edged ahead on the half hour when Slew found the target with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Slew then completed his brace inside the opening minute of the second half with an angled effort from distance.
Waters then returned to haunt his former club on 50 minutes when he pounced to score his 13th goal of the season after Kieran Green saw his 30-yard shot parried away by MacDonald.
But just when it seemed the points were secure for Halifax, they were given a late scare as sub Lolos pulled one back for the Gulls with two minutes to go.
This was swiftly followed by Little’s ninth goal of the season but Torquay couldn’t force an equaliser in a tense finale.