Match Officials
Referee: Garreth Rhodes
Assistant Referees: Wayne Gray and Curtis Wood
Fourth Official: Alex Gray
Lineups
FC Halifax Town played Morecambe FC at the Shay last night, resulting in a 1 – 0 win for the home side.
The Shrimps kicked off the first half, immediately going on the attack which resulted in a free kick taken by 36, Jake Nolan.
Nothing came of it, except the Shaymen responding with a free kick of their own, which they capitalised on with a good run of passes that created an opportunity for a shot on goal by number 9, Will Harris in the 5th minute.
After just eight minutes, Halifax took the lead after 27, Jay Turner–Cooke and 11, Angelo Capello, played a series of passes that allowed Harris to cross the ball into the goal past Morecambe’s number 40, Jamal Blackman.
The Shrimps kept looking for any weakness in the Shaymen’s defence, hoping for a chance to equalise, but Town didn’t allow any visible cracks for them to break through.
It was only in the 17th minute, where we saw Morecambe anywhere close to equalising after a long ball from 8, Miguel Azeez to 32, George Thomas whose attempt to score was stopped in its tracks by the home side’s goalkeeper, number 1, Sam Johnson.
Halifa kept looking for a chance to widen the gap between the two teams with a consecutive string of shots toward the goal in the 20th and 21st minutes after Morecambe’s near goal.
The game saw its first booking in the 28th minute after a foul by Morecambe’s Lewis Payne on Halifax’s winger Capello resulting in the first yellow card of the game, for the away side.
The last ten minutes of the first half, saw a renewed sense of energy from the Shrimps who were hoping to even the score.
It was in the 42nd minute that the second yellow card was issued to the away side’s Paul Lewis after a dangerous foul on Town’s Owen Bray.
They were awarded a free kick but unable to capitalise on it and Morecambe used the remaining time in the first half to get close to the box, however they were stopped by the Shaymen who ensured they were unable to enter.
Halifax kicked off the second half hoping to widen their lead further, but the Shrimps’ defence looked impenetrable.
The away side came back out with a renewed sense of energy hoping to continue the momentum they built towards the end of the first half .
It showed a change in the Shrimp’s attitude whilst out on the pitch, who came out after half time looking more energised and ready to contest with the leading Yorkshire side.
Morecambe created a couple of chances for themselves with Joe Nuttal getting close, but instead sending the ball over the crossbar and a cross into the opposition’s box hoping to find a player who could knock it into goal.
The 55th minute saw the first substitution of the game, with the Lancashire side bringing on Chris Popov for Joe Nuttal.
The substitution allowed for the away side to create many more chances, that unfortunately for them, they were unable to capitalise on.
It became evident around the 60th minute, that the roles from the first half had reversed with the Yorkshire side being forced into a more defensive approach by the away side.
Popov had a chance to score but his header sailed slightly wide of the post.
In the 67th minute, it looked for a moment like the Shaymen had finally woken up, gaining possession of the ball and shooting, however it went over the crossbar.
Halifax made their first two substitutions in the 69th minute bringing on Max Wright and Florent Hoti for Owen Bray and Will Hugill.
Ashvir Johal’s side made their second change in the 74th minute, exchanging Thomas for Ben Tollitt.
The double substitution seemed to work in Halifax’s favour, with the team finally gaining back possession and being awarded a corner in the 76th minute.
Adam Lakeland replaced Capello, who only recently came back from injury, with Jack Jenkins, as a precaution, after a tackle left him lying on the floor.
Halifax’s free kick in the 81st minute, was knocked out as Morecambe took the ball down to the opposition end hoping for a chance to score.
There was a chance for Morecambe in the 86th minute but it was stopped short by Johnson.
Halifax were given a penalty after a clear foul from Morecambe in the 89th minute.
For a minute it looked to be a goal for Halifax, but it was clearly offside.
In the 7 minutes of added time 27 came off and was replaced with Adam Adetoro for Halifax.
It was then that Lakeland himself received a yellow card and the game ended.
At the end of the 90 minutes the game ended 1-0 to the home side, meaning Yorkshire won the Battle of the Roses this time.