What started looked to be a sure fire 3 points for Halifax town in tonight's encounter at Kit Kat Crescent, soon ended in a York victory, as they grew in stature in the 2nd half, and exploited Town's defensive frailties.
An excellent, industrious and well organised first half from Halifax Town saw the Shaymen usually playing behind the ball when York were on the attack, yet had some great flowing moves going forward when the ball was in their possession.
However, despite Town's domination, the first defensive error of many came in the 9th minute, which presented York with the first clear cut chance of the game.A high ball from Craddock was aimed towards Sodje, and as the ball bounced, Belle seemed to have everything under control.However, Sodje's pace pressurised Belle, which forced him in to a weak, low downward header towards Mawson.The ball was gifted in to the Sodje's path, and he should have done better than to lift the ball on to the top of the bar, and over for a goal kick.
The chance came shortly after Jake Wright picked up his 3rd yellow card of the season after a heavy challenge on Emmanuel Panther.
Town responded by going straight up to the other end, where Jon Shaw, under pressure from the York defences, headed narrowly wide.
Anthony Griffith, on loan to the Shaymen from Doncaster this season, opened the scoring with what is seemingly becoming his trademark goal.Griffith won the ball as he charged down the York midfield, and the ball broke to Wright on the left.His cross was headed to Griffith, who hit the ball on the half volley from 25 yards out.The ball looked to be going straight in to the keeper's arms, but he completely misjudged the shot, and the ball went through his flapping arms, past him and in to the net, to put town 1-0 up.Television replays seem to show that there was no mid-air movement of the ball, and the keeper should have done a lot better.
Jon Shaw was then injured in an aerial challenge with Stuart Elliot on 17 minutes.He tried to carry on, but was substituted 2 minutes later for Daryl Taylor with what seemed to look like a dead leg.Wilder was forced put Danny Forrest up front with Darryn Stamp, as Taylor took up his favoured position on the right.
York didn't look comfortable in the first half at all, with a hatful of misplaced passes, and the goalkeeper being fed back passes that would make him look silly, a he sliced them away for corners and throw INS through no fault of his own.
On 30 minutes, Wroe had a good opportunity to bring York level.A good cross was pinpoint on to his head, but the ball went inches past the wrong side of the upright.
Darryn Stamp should have doubled Halifax's lead on 43 minutes, when some brilliant wing play from Town, saw a low cross present the target man with a gaping target, and a seemingly beaten keeper, but his tame swing at the ball didn't cause York any problems.
Town took the game to York at the beginning of the 2nd half, Taylor causing problems for the York defence with his low crosses, and Steve Torpey nearly converting at the near post on 47 minutes.
The 2nd goal which had been eluding Town eventually came in excellent fashion in the 51st minute, thanks to some wizardry from Ryan Toulson.The ever maturing and quick footed Toulson won the ball on the right, and skilfully jinked past 3 men before slipping a sly, yet inch perfect through ball to Danny Forrest.Forrest, to the right of the goal, turned and put the ball over the diving keeper, in to the net, and turned to celebrate to the flag bearing travelling contingent after notching his first goal of the season.
Billy McEwan reacted to the 2 goal deficit by introducing former Halifax Town man Alex Meechan in to the fray.This was to prove to be a vital decision, as York bounced back to pull a goal back on 56.York won a corner and Sodje, who squandered that earlier chance for the Minstermen, made amends by slotting home from close range.Town's defence were guilty of ball watching, and Sodje was one of two unmarked men at the far post, and as the ball fell to him he was left with the simplest of tap INS.
As Halifax were forced deeper, York pushed for an equaliser, and were making fewer mistakes.That can't be said for Town's back line who, on the hour, conceded a second goal in 4 minutes.As Grayson beat a weary looking Toulson on the Left wing, his cross to the near post was cut out by Quinn.His clearance only fell short to Woodruff, who was unmarked - as were 3 other York players - and put the ball away again.
It was now looking anybody's game.The whole game opened up, and Darryl Taylor hit the woodwork when the ball unexpectedly fell to him on the far post.A chance that may have seen a different outcome to this game, but it was the next attack that was to prove the most vital.
The introduction of Dadson for Stamp on 69 minutes may have affected the players' concentration, but York swept straight forward and stretched town's defence, who were at this point looking uncoordinated and panic stricken.Again, Toulson was left out to dry on the left, this time through Grayson, whose ball in to the box was watched by Adam Quinn.As the York forwards pushed on, Wright covered the line, but the ball fell to the man he'd left, and it was Meechan who fired home York's 3rd in 13 minutes to claim the 3 points for York City - their first win at home this season.Meechan's finish was also the 250th Blue Square Premier League goal this season.
Town pressed to try and retain a point, but York seemed to be in full control now.Danny Forrest hit the bar in the 86th minute with a 20 yard pile driver, but Town couldn't muster up the moves that looked so convincing in the first half, and so left Kit Kat Crescent empty handed, and bitterly disappointed.
After the game, manager Chris Wilder was enigmatic enough to admit he has a "charitable" team on his hands.He was, of course, referring to the errors which seem to gift goals to the opposition, and he stated that whilst Town were an up and down team, they wouldn't get anywhere.
All in all, a disappointing result, and things need to tighten up in the defensive third of the pitch if the Shaymen are going to push for promotion this season.
Steve Clifford
