FC Halifax Town 1-2 Boston United
In the final friendly before next Saturday’s opener, Jamie Fullarton’s side were beaten 2-1 by Boston United at the MBi Shay Stadium. A Second half goal from Dayle Southwell wasn’t enough to comeback from a two goal defecit.
Boston took the lead following a Halifax free-kick. Johnson effort up the field was countered, with Jonathan Wafula sprinting down the right hand side. His cross into the area was met by the head of Adam Marriott who nodded the ball in.
It could’ve been two-nil shortly afterwards. Ashley Jackson fizzed a shot from 18 yards. Johnson’s hand to it was enough to stop Marriott converting the follow up.
The second came after a mistake from Trialist led to Nathan Arnold’s cross being unnecessarily headed behind for a corner. Jackson again providing the assist, this time from the corner flag. Ryan Qualter rose highest in the area to head in the second of the half.
Marriott had the chance to grab another on the half hour mark. Slack passing through the centre fell to the Lincoln City man, but he failed to test Johnson between the sticks and put it wide.
It was Halifax who looked to end the half strongly though. Excellent play in the middle between Ben Tomlinson and Jordan Preston sent the latter bursting down the right flank. His cross fizzed across the turf towards the back post, but McLeod was unable to connect with the ball.
Ryan Sellars’ introduction at half time sparked a bit of early life into the Shaymen. His twenty-yard burst forwards led to a shot on goal but was unable to really trouble George Willis.
Town continued to press the Boston defence. Mekhi McLeod’s fancy footwork drew a foul from the defence, although the advantage was given as Preston looked to carve out an opportunity for himself but failed to get his effort on target.
Tom Johnson was called into action twice on the hour mark. Jackson again the architect as his corner found a man in the area, who’s header towards the top corner was hammered away by Johnson. The following play found Marriott alone at the edge of the area. His sweet effort again denied by Johnson.
Town had two efforts cleared off the line before grabbing their first. A header from a corner found Trialists head but was headed of the line by Sam Topliss. In the ensuing play, the same player had an effort palmed away at the last minute by the substitute keeper Dylan Parkin.
But that spurred the Shaymen for even more, and they were rewarded with a goal moments later. Dayle Southwell tapped in a corner from the right side to claw one back for the home side.
Marriott had another chance fall his way on the seventy-eighth minute. After taking the ball forward, his driven effort spun wide of the left post, not troubling the keeper.
After handling the ball outside the area, Parkin was called into action again for the visitors. The following free-kick allowed Dayle Southwell go strike a hard effort through the wall, but Roberts held on firm to deny him a second.
Halifax had a chance to level the game in the dying moments. Trialist picked up the ball on the right and cut inside. After beating Gough at the edge of the box, his powerful drive was denied by Parkin.
Jamie Fullarton’s side will next be in action on Saturday 4th August away at Braintree Town in the National League’s opening fixture.
FC Halifax Town: Sam Johnson, Trialist (Sellard 45’), Trialist, (Trialist 65’) Trialist, Matty Brown (c), Niall Maher, Josh Staunton (King 45’), Ben Tomlinson, Jordan Preston, Mekhi McLeod (Kosylo 65’), Dayle Southwell
Subs: Rowley, Sellars, King, Trialist, Kosylo, Trialist, Trialist
Boston United: George Willis (Parkin 60’), Ben Middleton (Roberts 60’), Ashley Jackson (Triliast 60’), Andi Thanoj (Harris 45’), Trialist (Gough 60’), Ryan Qualter (Trialist 60’), Nathan Arnold, Brad Abbott (Walker 60’), Jonny Margetts, Adam Marriott, Jonathan Wafula (Johnson 60’)
Subs: Roberts, Parkin, Harris, Johnson, Walker, Topliss, Trialist, Gough, Trialist
Goals: Marriott (13’), Qualter (30’), Southwell (72’)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 371 (26)
Full Time: FC Halifax Town 1 Boston United 2
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