FC Halifax Town returned to league action on Saturday afternoon after their FA Cup exploits with a disappointing 4-2 defeat in a feisty encounter at Curzon Ashton.
It was Curzon’s first home league win of the season.
In a first half of few chances, the opening chance fell to Curzon’s Adam Morgan who fire wide after a Connor Hampson cross. Morgan had another great chance soon after to take the lead, but the offside flag spared Town’s blushes.
At the other end, as Halifax began to take a foothold in the game, Tom Denton’s header drifted wide after a cross from Alex Simmons. Denton again was denied a certain goal as Curzon Ashton stopper Hakan Burton produced a world class save.
This was perhaps a turning point in the half, as a free kick was whipped into the penalty area from Curzon’s (x) and the ball found its way to Adam Morgan. Steven Drench produced a great save but only as far as Niall Cummins left boot, as the Curzon striker tapped in from a yard out.
The home side doubled their lead moments later as Halifax failed to regroup. A counter attack down the right side with James Baillie, who whipped in a cross towards Niall Cummins, who fired towards Drench. Once again the Town stopper made a great save but the rebound was tapped in by former Liverpool striker Morgan seconds before half time whistle.
Town found a way back into the game just thirty seconds after the restart as Cliff Moyo headed in Josh McDonald’s corner – a perfect start to the half.
From the kick off though, Curzon looked hungry and soon restored their two goal lead. Morgan scored his second of the game and Curzon’s third with a low, long range effort.
The fiery second half continued with a bizarre red card for Curzon captain Alex Brown. In an incident with Matty Kosylo, Brown looked to have been brought down by the substitute, but was shown a second yellow card in the coming together and the home side were down to ten men.
A lacklustre Town defence were beaten again by an impressive Curzon side looking to win their third straight game, and first since making the second round of the FA Cup after beating Westfields. A long ball over the top was played up field and Niall Cummins managed to beat Cliff Moyo to the ball and fire past Drench.
Once again, the game took a further twist as the referee produced a second red card of the game as goalscorer Cummins received a second yellow and his marching orders.
As the home side threw more men behind the ball, Halifax continued to press but a resilient Curzon defence held their own to produce an impressive defensive display.
As fans began to breathe again after a frantic few minutes, the game was take another bizarre twist as Curzon’s Jamie Stott received the home side’s third dismissal of the afternoon. A nasty challenge sparked a melee between both sets of players and Stott received his marching orders. That meant Curzon finished the day with just eight players on the field.
Still with five minutes to go, the Shaymen continued to throw everything at the home side, with both Denton and Kosylo going close to scoring a third. With all eight of Curzon’s remaining players camped in the penalty area, it was to be a nervy final few minutes for both teams. With six minutes of added time signalled, it was again another chance that fell Town’s way, but keeper Burton did well to save Denton’s effort.
Despite the Shaymen’s best efforts, the final whistle was blown on a simply extraordinary football match.
FC Halifax Town’s next game is on Saturday, 26th Nov away at Matlock Town in the FA Trophy.
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