Billy Heath and the FC Halifax Town fans were treated to the perfect early Christmas present as they defeated Chester FC 4-0.
The 2,040 in attendance were treated to a real cracker, as first half goals from Tom Denton, Scott McManus, Danny Clarke and Josh MacDonald saw the home side punish the struggling Cheshire side.
The victory saw The Shayman grab a second consecutive win as they look like they are beginning to get their Vanarama National League campaign back on track.
Clarke had an effort cleared off the line as Halifax got off to a flying start, but fortunately Denton was on hand to head in the opener seconds later. Josh Wilde picked up the ball just outside the box, before floating in a cross towards the back post, giving the striker the simple task of nodding in his 8th of the season.
Josh MacDonald was then allowed space to run into, before unleashing a powerful drive at Sam Hornby’s goal but the Blue’s stopper parried it into the path of Scott Garner, whose rebounded effort is blocked off the line by Denton.
Halifax looked in control for large portions of the first 45 minutes, but there were some chances for the visitors. Quick fire strikes from Hall-Johnson and Dawson troubled Sam Johnson, but the Town number 1 was alert to parry them away from danger.
The home side doubled their lead just before the half hour mark through McManus.
Good interplay between him and Moyo on resulted in a cross from the right back, which ended up at the feet of Clarke. The midfielder did well to hold on to the ball despite pressure from the Chester back defenders, before eventually rolling it to the number 11 who smashed it into the top corner.
The provider became the goalscorer 3 minutes later, as Clarke grabbed a third for Halifax. MacDonald, who was impressive throughout, delivered a pin point cross for the number 18 to find the bottom corner of Hornby’s net.
The man of the match then added a fourth after Lucas Dawson’s corner kick was easily caught by Sam Johnson. The goalkeeper promptly threw it to Jake Hibbs near the half way line, who took a touch before sliding it through for MacDonald to finally grab his first goal for the club after over 100 games.
It was truly a game of halves however, as the second half failed to live up to the expectation set in the opening period.
Marcus Bignot’s men tried to get back into it, with half time substitute Harry White getting the best of what was created for the visitors, but Johnson and the rest of the Town defence were able to clear away danger. It was yet another resolute performance from the men at the back as the team pick up a second successive clean sheet.
Two chances dropped quickly for Denton as he searched for a second goal of the match. A whipped cross from Collins was poked away before the number 9 could get a touch on it, before a diving header by the big man from the resulting header was blocked.
The game concluded with nothing more than half chances, with Hibbs more often than not being the creator in the middle of the park, but no more goals were to be witnessed here tonight. Town will go into Christmas Day in 14th position after an impressive and important 3 points.
Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 2 Cliff Moyo, 3 Josh Wilde, 5 Matty Brown ©, 6 Scott Garner, 18 Danny Clarke, 9 Tom Denton (George Waring 90), 11 Scott McManus, 20 Jake Hibbs, 16 Josh MacDonald (Ben Tomlinson 74’) 22 Michael Collins
Subs Note Used: 39 Michael Duckworth, 13 Tom Nicholson
Chester: 28 Sam Hornby, 4 Kingsley James (Craig Mahon 46’), 5 John McCombe, 6 Ryan Astles, 17 Lucas Dawson, 18 James Jones, 20 James Akintunde, 21 Tom Shaw, 29 Reece Hall-Johnson (Harry White 46’) 31 Jordan Gough, 36 Daniel Udoh
Sub Not Used: 10 Ross Hannah, 2 Andy Halls, 3 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner
Goals: Tom Denton (6′), Scott McManus (28′), Danny Clarke (33′), Josh MacDonald (38′)
Yellow Cards: Tom Shaw (17′), Michael Collins (61’), Cliff Moyo 88
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 2040 (367 Away)
Full Time: FC Halifax Town 4 Chester FC 0
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