On the back of last weekโs 4-2 away defeat at the hands of Manchester United, AFC manager John Barker demanded a better performance from his men against the visitors from over the border and league friendly opponents Preston North-End.
Sky sources advised us that gaffer John Barker prepared for this fixture with a โSilent Nightโ to himself on the Friday whilst working out a strategy to try and overcome The Lillywhites from Lancashire. It was reported he had changed the team on numerous occasions before finally โJoy to the Worldโ he whispered to himself, his team was picked and ready for action.
He decided to give the nod to the veteran ginger known as Stewart โFlobbinsโ Heaton who had the job between the sticks, lined up at the back with a central 3 of Matthew โRatโ Blackburn, Adam โG-Nevโ Probets, Lee โ2 hours sleepโ Casalino with wingbacks of Marcus โFat Daveโ Stapeley and Adrian โFreeloaderโ Hollands. Across the middle of the park we saw Ben โMr Foxโ Fawkes, Andy โTrampโ Littlefair, Nathan โRip off my grandadโ Wright with a front 2 of Lewis โYoungster & AFC futureโ Blackburn & Adam โI donโt need to moveโ Ramsden who were reportedly seen and heard doing his own rendition of Mariah Careyโs favourite โAll I want for Christmasโ in the warm up prior to kick off.
In the 17th minute of the match, AFC Halifax were looking reasonably comfortable against a very organised Preston North-End side until a reckless challenge in the area from who else but Adrian โFreeloaderโ Hollands. Despite frustration from his team mates the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Preston were 1-0 to the good. Almost as if the AFC shot stopper was โAway in a mangerโ before attempted the keep out the driven shot from the spot. An outrageous celebration followed by the Preston striker as he ran to the corner and displayed the actions as if he was singing Chris Reaโs 80โs classic โDriving home for Christmasโ. It has to be said, a ridiculous spectacle.
With the score line locked at 1-0 to the visitors it could have very easily been 2-0 but for a heroic defensive header at the back post by Adam โG Nevโ Probets who in turn ended up with a sore finger. The referee advised John Barker to take Probets off who ignored this request and somehow, perhaps with โThe power of loveโ Probets was ok and continued for the duration of the fixture.
AFC Halifax however did go in at the break 3-0 down after Preston created and converted further chances prior to the half time whistle. John Barker had identified that the man in the middle for Preston was running the show and gave instructions to break the โLittle Donkeyโ if that would stop him dominating the game.
Substitutions were inevitable for the Shaymen and Luke โBonesโ Prosser was one of the men to come into the fray at half time who got AFC Halifax back into the game. Prosser was through 1 on 1 with the Preston fullback who had no option but to bring down the pacey Prosser in the 59th minute of the game. Prosser really enjoyed it and in fact enjoyed it that much, he was known to have told the unfortunate fullback that he will be โLonely this Christmasโ with an attitude like that. โHark the Herald Angels Singโ he responded? Nobody really knew what he meant by this? Perhaps it was his touretteโs? Anyway, AFC reduced the deficit to 3-1 with what some would sayโฆ a very dodgy penalty by Ben โMr Foxโ Fawkes. Nevertheless, AFC were back in business.
Unfortunately for the hosts though this was not a turning point and Preston went on to punish defensive mistakes to take the game by a very healthy 6 goals to 1.
Final score in front of a packed house –
AFC Halifax 1-6 Preston North-End. The Lillywhites destroyed the Shaymen. You have to ask yourself, โDo they know itโs Christmas?โ or what? Very harsh lesson.
Attendance โ 109.
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