National League
The Shay, Halifax
Admission: £15.00 (discounted price EFL and EPL season tickets, otherwise £21.00)
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 1,677 (62 away)
During my latest work trip to the north of England, with my last appointment on Tuesday being in Stockport and my first on Wednesday being down in Northampton, a game in the Midlands would have made more sense today, but a very pleasant looking hotel within walking distance to a former Football League stadium, to tick off my 20th ground in the National League pointed me towards this game. The deal was sealed for me when it was announced by FC Halifax Town the day before that season ticket holders of any EFL or EPL club would be admitted at a discounted rate.
After checking into the quirky Shears Hotel, and where I enjoyed a hearty pre-match steak pie meal, I then made my way up a steep hill to The Shay. Quite surprisngly in the day and age, not only were tickets not available in advance, but cash was the only option at the turnstiles. With only two of four stands open this evening (and indeed most of Halifax's games these days), I chose to sit in the main stand, which offers mostly unobstructed views, and unallocated seating. A small section at one end was allocated to away supporters. Very similar looking large covered terraces are behind both goals, with only one in use tonight. A much older all-seater stand is located along the remaining length, with a grass bank to one side, and indeed the backdrop of this length has quite a rural appearance, with the stand built into a hill and trees surrounding it despite its urban location. Pleasingly, a very decent printed programme was produced, and printed team sheets were also freely available.
A glance at the table suggested that the home side would be strong favourites for this game, coming into this game in seventh place in the table, following eight wins and seven draws from their 20 league games played, while AFC Fylde, promoted as champions from the National League North for this season, seem to be struggling to adapt to life back in the National League, coming into this game second bottom, following four wins and four draws from their 20 league games.
A match report can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below.
Video highlights of this match can be viewed by clicking here
FC Halifax Town were held to a 2-2 draw against AFC Fylde this evening at The Shay Stadium.
The Shaymen started with a golden chance to take the lead with Kane Thompson-Sommers showing great strength in midfield. He found Millenic Alli at the left-hand side, the Town forward played in his fellow partner Aaron Cosgrave who took a heavy touch around the keeper and the ball slipped over the line.
Alli looked to make more progress from midfield but was halted by a harsh challenge by Emeka Obi who was booked in the 17th minute.
The away side looked to show a response on the other end with Connor Barrett making a run down the left-hand side, but Adam Senior stood firm in the penalty area with a strong challenge to end the attack.
Cosgrave, Thompson-Sommers, and Florent Hoti all tried their luck outside the box in a matter of minutes, but all three attempts didn’t trouble the Coasters’ goalkeeper Theo Richardson.
It was the away end who snatched the lead with Josh Kay finding Sam Graham in the penalty area and his cross met the head of Taelor Okane in the 27th minute.
Town looked to counter-attack after a Fylde free kick and Tylor Golden was sent through in the final third and a challenge from Barrett raised anger from the home fans as referee Steven Copeland missed a potential foul.
Jordan Keane was added to the book along with Sommers in the 40th minute after a challenge on Luke Charman.
Jon Ustabasi looked to double the lead after a dangerous cross into the area met the midfielder’s head, but Sam Johnson comfortably collected it into his palms.
The Shaymen looked to fight back on the other end with Cosgrave’s attempt inside the box blocked and the loose ball landed on the feet of Golden, but once again his attempt hardly troubled Richardson.
The second half kicked off with Hoti being substituted for Rob Harker in the 46th minute. Chris Millington looked to add more firepower to the Town attack in hopes of an equaliser.
Alli was once again halted by a poor sliding challenge, this time made from Nelson Khumbemi, and the home fans were sent into outrage again. This time, Copeland didn’t book the Fylde midfielder which was the second questionable call of the night.
The Coasters made their first change of the evening with Max Conway replacing Emeka Obi in the 56th minute. The away end looked to add to their lead with Kay being caught offside. He’s caught time wasting but once again, the referee looks the other way.
The home end finally got the goal they craved with Jack Hunter brilliantly turning his man with his strike which bounced off the post in the 63rd minute.
Town looked to take the lead almost immediately with Aaron Cosgrave finding Alli inside the 6 yard box but his effort crashed into the crossbar making a lucky escape for Fylde.
Fylde made their second change of the night with Danny Ormerod in the 70th minute and looked to make a sudden impact, but his attempt was dealt with by the Town defence.
Both sides made their 3rd and final changes. For Town, it was Andrew Oluwabori coming on for Cosgrave in the 73rd minute. For Fylde, it was Khumbeni being replaced by Nick Haughton in the 77th minute.
Millington’s changes looked to pay dividends as Summerfield found Harker at the edge of the box. Once again it was a brilliant turn and finish to take the lead for Town in the 79th minute. A welcome return from injury. His first goal since September and his 4th of the season.
Danny Whitehead was given a straight red in the 86th minute after kicking back at Harker.
The fourth official indicated 6 minutes of added time to set up a tense finish at The Shay.
Alli’s foul gave Richardson a late free kick and after Town’s attempts to clear the ball, it was another cross that met the head of Okane who snatched his second of the game. This moment snatched a crucial point for the away end.
In the end it was both sides sharing the points. A frustrating result for the Shaymen who let the win slip right at the end.
The Shaymen are back in action this Saturday against Aldershot Town away from home with a 3pm kickoff.
FC Halifax Town:
1 Sam Johnson ©, 16 Jordan Keane, 3 Ryan Galvin, 2 Tylor Golden, 6 Jamie Stott, 5 Adam Senior, 8 Jack Hunter, 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers (4 Luke Summerfield 64) 18 Florent Hoti (9 Rob Harker 46), 11 Millenic Alli, 19 Aaron Cosgrave (22 Andrew Oluwabori 73)
Subs: 17 Max Wright, 21 Tom Wilson
AFC Fylde:
25 Theo Richardson, 17 Connor Barrett, 15 Sam Graham, 5 Emeka Obi (21 Max Conway 56), 14 Josh Kay (29 Danny Ormerod 70) 22 Nelson Khumbeni (10 Nick Haughton 77), 23 Danny Whitehead, 4 Harry Davis ©, 19 Jon Ustabasi, 34 Taelor Okane, 9 Luke Charman
Subs: 7 Joe Rowley, 16 Kieran Glynn
Referee: Steven Copeland
Goals: Okane 27, 90+6 Hunter 63, Harker 79
Yellow Cards: Obi 17, Thompson-Sommers 29, Keane 40
Red Cards: Whitehead 86
Attendance: 1677 (62 away)
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