This was a game for the Taylor's.Jamie and Scott scored for Grays Athletic and Daryl scored for Halifax.Throw in 6 goals and an appalling Referee and you have an end to end classic that may not have been one for the purist but it was enjoyed by the 1204 spectators at the Recreation Ground.And the result gives The Shaymen another point in their Blue Square National survival bid.
As expected there were changes to the starting line up after 3 games in the past week.In came Adam Quinn, Tom Kearney, Darryn Stamp and Daryl Taylor with the latter enjoying when could be described as his best display in a Halifax Tow shirt.His goal on the stroke of half time was the first of three equalisers for his team which shows the commitment to the cause from the players.
A gusty wind prevented much in the way of attacking play early on but Grays pressed with Danny Kedwell getting to the goal line but his pull back was cleared.Danny Forrest and Daryl Taylor set up a shooting opportunity for Tom Kearney but his 25 yarder was off target.
Town were denied a stone wall penalty in the 16th minute.Matt Doughty won the ball and released Darryn Stamp to round keeper Nicky Eyre but he was felled by Jon Ashton as he was about to shoot but somehow Referee Barrett ruled no foul.And this set the tone for an afternoon of bizarre decisions form the official.
Taylor skipped past his marker on the left but he failed to find Forrest and Grays broke up field to take the lead.A ball into the box skimmed off a defender head to Kedwell and he crossed for Jamie Taylor so score with a stooping header.Adam Legzdins saved from Neil McCafferty and as half time approached it looked as though The Shaymen would have a 1 goal deficit but Daryl Taylor had other ideas.
Simon Heslop crossed but found Jamie Stuart.Tenacious play from Forrest won the ball and he crossed low for Taylor to take one touch and rifle past Eyre from 6 yards to register his first goal in a Halifax Town shirt.
Lewis Killeen replaced Matt Doughty at the start of the second period but before he touched the ball Town found themselves behind for the second time.A thorough ball between Simon Ainge and Adam Quinn found Jamie Taylor and he scored at the second attempt after his first effort was blocked.
Back came Town and they were level 4 minutes later.Daryl Taylor found Gareth Davies in space on the right and his ear post cross was glanced over keeper Eyre by the head of Danny Forrest and the ball ended up in the net with the help of the post.
Aaron O'Connor's 25 yard shot forced Legzdins Into a smart save and he beat away a Barry Cogan shot minutes later.A rush of substitutions saw Anthony Griffith and Jon Shaw replace Simon Heslop and Darryn Stamp as Town looked for the winner.But it was the home side who took an 85th minute lead in controversial circumstances when Adam Quinn was clearly fouled from a long ball forward but in keeping with his performance Referee Barrett waved play on and substitute Scott Taylor gave his side a 3 v 2 lead.
The Shaymen's character and battling qualities came to the fore as they chased the game.Following a corner Tom Kearney surged into the box, held off one challenge but was upended by the second with a penalty awarded.Jon Shaw stepped forward and confidently scored the 3rd equaliser of the afternoon.
Four minutes off added time were signalled but 6 minutes 20 seconds were played and this entertaining encounter ended 3 v 3.Town will be looking for more points when the visit Burton Albion on Tuesday.
