FC Halifax Town were held to a 0-0 draw against Havant & Waterlooville, despite being down to 10 men for most of the game.
Neither side looked likely of scoring as Halifax were reduced to 10 men for just under an hour. James Berrett getting his marching orders in a game that didn’t create many clear-cut chances.
A quick start for the Shaymen saw a long ball find Jonathan Edwards bearing down on goal. Edwards hit a first time shot but it was blazed over the bar.
James Hardy came close to getting his first for the Shaymen. A good run saw Hardy on the edge of the box before he fired a shot towards goal with the outside of his foot. However, it went narrowly wide of the post.
Havant’s first real chance came on the 19th minute. A free kick from a deep position was swung into the box. All it would have need was a touch, but no one was there, and it went just wide of the post.
The game started to become scrappy on the 31st minute when Berrett received his marching orders. Berrett slid in with a high foot and caught Theo Lewis. Berrett was shown a straight red and will now miss the next three games.
On 35 minutes, Havant had their first booking as Jack James slid in late on Ryan Sellers. Despite the Halifax players’ protestations, referee Carl Brook only brandished a yellow card. Another four minutes went by and James made a very similar challenge, but Brook didn’t bring out a card.
Havant made their first change during half time as James made way for Hassan Jalloh.
Halifax had a shout for a penalty early in the second half as a free kick was drilled into the box. Havant cleared but Sellers put in a first-time ball and as Edwards went to chase, was brought down. Nothing was given as play continued.
57 minutes into the game and Matty Kosylo came close. A driving run towards goal gave the option of Scott Quigley. Kosylo went alone and his shot was dragged just wide of the post as it remained 0-0.
Havant came close just past the hour as a Lewis corner fell in the box. Havant got a head to it, but S. Quigley was on hand to it head it away.
On 66 minutes, Havant made their second change of the afternoon as Andreas Robinson made way for Chris Paul. Whilst Halifax changed Hardy for James Ferry.
9 minutes later and Havant made their final change as Joe Quigley came off for Matt Paterson. At the same time, Edwards made way for Jordan Preston. Only 5 minutes after and S. Quigley was replaced by Josh Staunton for Town’s last substitution.
The final chance of the game fell to Halifax. Substitute Preston took the ball wide before firing a shot goalward. The shot took a deflection and gave Town a late corner. Kosylo stepped up and found Matty Brown at the back post. His header was poor and was an easy save for Ben Dudzinski as the scores stayed level.
The result sees Halifax remain 15th still five points clear of the relegation zone. It also means Town now have the most draws so far as Chesterfield lost. While Havant stay top of the relegation zone just one point from safety.
My man of the match: Matty Brown
FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 2 Michael Duckworth, 3 Ryan Sellers, 4 Nathan Clarke, 5 Matty Brown (c), 7 Matty Kosylo, 10 Jonathan Edwards (Subbed Off 75′ for No.19 Jordan Preston), 18 James Berrett, 31 Niall Maher, 36 James Hardy (Subbed Off for No.25 James Ferry), 37 Scott Quigley (Subbed Off 79′ for No.6 Josh Staunton)
Subs: 21 Shaun Rowley, 40 Jacob Hanson
Havant & Waterlooville: 21 Ben Dudzinski, 2 Dan Strugnell, 3 Rory Williams (c), 7 Wes Fogden, 8 Theo Lewis, 10 Joe Quigley (Subbed Off for No.9 Matty Paterson), 16 Andreas Robinson (Subbed Off 65′ for No. 27 Chris Paul), 17 Jordan Rose, 19 Jack James (Subbed Off 46′ for No.29 Hassan Jalloh), 20 Alfie Rutherford, 25 Tyler Cordner
Subs: 5 Ryan Woodford, 18 Ibra Sekajja,
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Fogden (29′), James (35′)
Red Cards: Berrett (31′)
Attendance: 1,181 (44 away)
Referee: Carl Brook
Assistants: Martyn Holmes & Paul Ince
4th Official: Lee Hible
FC Halifax Town 0 Havant & Waterlooville 0
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