Andy Campbell became the first Halifax Town player in 5 seasons to score a hat-trick as The Shaymen turned on the style to thump Droylsden 3 v 0.And the winning margin could have been greater but for some inspired saves from visiting keeper Paul Phillips.
Ryan Mallon was the last man to score 3 in a game and Campbell's trio today mean he has now score 9 goals in his Halifax Town career, all of which have come at The Shay.
Following Saturday's defeat at Ebbsfleet Chris Wilder shuffled his pack with Ryan Toulson making his first full start of the season in defence.In midfield Anthony Griffith partnered Steve Bushell in the middle with Danny Forrest and Steve Torpey occupying the wide positions.This allowed Lewis Killeen to partner Campbell and it worked to devastating effect.
Town started well, playing at a fast tempo. Bushell and Griffith both had shots off target before Campbell secured a 5th minute lead.Torpey's free kick eluded Adam Quinn and was gathered by Forrest on the right hand side of the area.His low cross was turned home by Campbell and Town had the early advantage.
Chris Denham was off target as The Bloods responded but The Shaymen was in no mood to allow the visitors a sniff at goal.
Time and time again Killeen, Torpey and Forrest tormented their opponents as Town threatened to run riot.A super passing move saw Killeen in on goal but Phillips pulled off a great save.
Griffith won a midfield duel and fed Torpey who in turn picked out Forrest.The ex Bradford mans header looked to be going out of play until Campbell lobbed the ball back over the keeper but it went out of play.Bushell shot over as Town searched for the second goal their superiority deserved.
And, a second goal for Andy Campbell duly arrived.Torpey's ball into Killeen was flicked into Campbell's path and he took the ball around the keeper before slotting home with the aid of a rebound.Campbell celebrated and so did the Town faithful behind the south stand goal.
Torpey tried to chip keeper Phillips to no avail and the half ended with Chris Wilder's men enjoying a 2 goal advantage.
Droylsden's players returned to the pitch at least 3 minutes ahead of The Shaymen for the 2nd half, presumably motivated by a half time rocket from their Manager and although they did play better they rarely troubled Craig Mawson.
Steve Torpey twice tried his luck with in minutes of the restart with the latter shot narrowly missing the target.
An inspirational performance from Captain Steve Bushell came to an end on the hour mark when he limped from the field after falling awkwardly following a tackle.Tom Kearney replaced him and was immediately in the action when his right foot shot fizzed narrowly over the bar.Killeen also shot over after being set up by Campbell and then came a rare sight at The Shay, a penalty for Halifax Town.
Wright, Torpey and Killeen linked on the left and set up Kearney who went down in the box and Referee Wigglesworth immediately pointed to the spot.Steve Torpey and Cortez Belle raced for the ball but it was Andy Campbell who rammed home the spot kick to complete a fine hat-trick.
And Campbell's scoring exploits could have got even better as first he shot wide from the edge of the area before Phillips pulled off the first of 3 stunning saves in a 5 minute spell, the others from Torpey and Griffith as The Shaymen dominated.
Matt Doughty replaced Campbell with 2 minutes remaining which gave the fans the chance to give the goal scoring hero the standing ovation his display merited.But, Chris Wilder will rightly point out that it's a team game and every player on the park deserves praise for a sparkling performance which should give the squad confidence when the head south to take on Oxford United on Saturday.
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