FC Halifax Town capped off a dominant performance over Chesterfield in the Vanarama National League, with a deserved 1-0 win at The Shay.
A single Jack Redshaw goal from the penalty spot was enough to give the hosts a win, though it would have been many more but for an impressive performance from visiting goalkeeper Shwan Jalal, who made a number of good saves.
After a fairly even opening 45 minutes, The Shaymen stepped on the gas and dominated the second period, in what was an excellent response to the Boxing Day trip to Stockport.
Pete Wild shuffled his pack going into the match, with a 3-5-2 formation deployed for the first time this season.
With Jeff King and Danny Williams deployed out wide, Town had two attacking wing-backs offering width to a side which featured Charlie Cooper, Josh Staunton and Cameron King in the centre of midfield, behind an attacking duo of Jack Redshaw and Jamie Allen.
A new-look defence in front of Sam Johnson saw skipper Matty Brown, Nathan Clarke and Niall Maher occupy the three central defensive roles – a solid performance and a clean sheet being just what the doctor ordered.
It was home side who were the first to go close. In the 18th minute, the Shaymen won a corner after a sliced clearance from Haydn Hollis. Redshaw whipped it in, and Chesterfield cleared despite claims of handball, but Halifax got the ball back in and Redshaw saw his shot tipped wide.
Chesterfield thought they had the first goal of the game in the 25th minute. A long ball into the box from Gevaro Nepomuceno found the head of Mike Fondop-Talom but he could not get his effort on target.
Just before half-time Town had a great chance to go in front. Redshaw picked up the ball from deep and ran at the defence. After holding off a few players, he let a shot fly but the strike flew narrowly over the bar.
From the start of the second period Halifax really started to dominate the proceedings, having a few chances go narrowly wide.
In the 50th minute, Town won a corner after Redshaw saw his shot deflected wide. The striker swung it in, but Clarke could not get his header on target.
Chesterfield created a rare chance in the 57th minute. A good attack found Gevaro on the right wing, who managed to put a low ball into the box. Jack McKay had the shot but scuffed it and Johnson watched the ball go harmlessly wide.
It took 65 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. A great run from Redshaw saw him beat two men before being brought down in the box, and referee Garreth Rhodes showed no hesitation in pointing straight to the spot.
Redshaw stepped up himself and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0.
Staunton’s performance earned him the man-of-the-match accolade, and he nearly added a goal, too. He found himself in the Chesterfield box and let a shot go Jalal managed to tip wide.
Town comfortably saw out the rest of the match, with the three points seeing them remain in 10th, whilst Chesterfield stay in the relegation zone.
Match Facts
FC Halifax Town:
1 Sam Johnson; 4 Nathan Clarke; 5 Matty Brown ©; 7 Jamie Allen (11 Tobi Sho-Silva 90’); 10 Cameron King (15 Liam McAlinden 83’); 14 Josh Staunton; 20 Jeff King; 21 Danny Williams; 22 Charlie Cooper; 23 Jack Redshaw; 31 Niall Maher
Unused subs:
12 Will Appleyard; 3 Jerome Binnom-Williams; 40 Shawn McCoulsky
Chesterfield:
1 Shwan Jalal; 33 Jay Sheridan; 5 Will Evans ©; 26 Haydn Hollis; 11 Gevaro Nepomuceno (10 Liam Mandeville 68’); 4 Josef Yarney (23 Jonathan Smith 60’); 8 Curtis Weston; 36 Mike Fondop-Talom (24 Tom Denton 69’); 21 Jack McKay; 3 David Buchanan; 19 Scott Boden
Unused subs:
27 Jamie Sharman; 22 Charlie Wakefield
Goals: Redshaw 66(pen)
Yellow Cards: Fondop-Talom 31, Sheridan 84
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 2420 (364 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 Chesterfield 0
Next Up
The Shaymen are next in action on New Year’s Day, as they play host to Stockport County in the Vanarama National League (15.00 kick-off).
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