Eight goals and two red cards ensured an exciting game as FC Halifax Town came out 5-3 winners away to Selby Town in the West Riding County Cup.
Two goals from Jordan Preston and one for Harry Freedman, Ousman Cham, and Jonathan Edwards gave Selby too much to do despite a second half fight back. With one goal in the first half and two in the second, Selby were unable complete the comeback despite the man advantage.
Red cards for Freedman and Edwards, meant The Shaymen finished the game with nine men as Selby continued to grow into the game. Despite this, Town were able to hold firm to progress to the Semi final of the West Riding County Cup.
Halifax started the game much brighter with the first coming in the second minute. A low shot was sent into the box forcing a good save out of Jody Barford, but Preston was there to tap in the rebound.
It only took another seven minutes for Town to double their lead as Preston played a perfectly chipped ball into the box. Freedman was on the end of it and after beating one man, placed it past Barford who couldn’t get near it.
Selby had their first chance of the game as a cross from the left found Fraser Hansen in the box. Hansen only had to beat the keeper but fired his shot into the empty stand behind the goal.
Halifax had their third on the 20th minute. Cham ran through on goal, with Edwards finding him with a perfect through ball. Barford rushed out but Cham delicately chipped the ball over him and into the bottom corner.
Only five minutes and Selby pulled one back. A corner fell in the box and Chris Bilton fired a shot goalward. It took a few deflections and the final touch came off Joe Dunnett’s head to take it past Shaun Rowley.
Edwards gave Halifax the final goal of the first half. Preston with an excellent through ball saw Edwards one-on-one with the keeper. Edwards took a touch and chipped Barford who had started to come out. Edwards found the back of the net to make it 4-1 going into half time.
Preston grabbed Halifax’s last goal of the game. Cham made a run towards the box and after beating a man was brought down. Preston stepped up and curled the free kick into the top corner leaving Barford with no chance.
The first red card was brandished just before the hour mark. Harry Freedman had lunged into the challenge and referee Aaron Bannister had no choice but to send the youngster off.
It took only four minutes for Selby to use the advantage as they made it 5-2. A cross from the right-hand side found Gary Collier at the back post. Collier looped his header over Rowley to find the net. Selby continued to grow into the game with the extra man advantage.
Charlie Clamp completed the scoring on the 63rd minute. Clamp fired a shot towards goal and a deflection took it past Rowley.
The second red card fell to Edwards. Despite a strong performance from the forward, Edwards brought his man down before engaging in a short tussle. The referee saw this as enough to give the striker a straight red leaving the Shaymen with nine men.
Despite having two extra men, Selby failed to complete the come back to send Halifax through. Town will face Ossett United away in the Semi Finals of the West Riding County Cup.
My man of the match: Jordan Preston
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