FC Halifax Town fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Sutton United in the Vanarama National League.
A 9th minute penalty for Sutton was enough to decide the game as Town failed to find a reply. Harry Beautyman found the net despite Sam Johnson getting a hand to it.
Town started the brighter of the two sides forcing a couple of early corners. Luke Summerfield went short to Martin Woods and his cross was met by Tom Bradbury, but his header deflected over the bar. Summerfield again went short to Woods but this time the cross came to nothing.
Five minutes later and Sutton took the lead. A low shot was blocked and spun wide for a corner. The cross came in and the referee blew for a penalty after adjudging the Town player to have handled the ball. Beautyman stepped up to take and despite getting a hand to it, Johnson couldn’t prevent the goal.
Sutton looked the more threatening side as a shot from distance was well saved by Johnson. The resulting corner came in and missed everyone before bouncing out for a goal kick five minutes from half time.
Just moments later and Sutton nearly had a second. A great run from David Ajiboye saw him get past Bradbury, but he scuffed his shot wide of the post as the scores stayed level.
Town came out quickly and after a last-ditch block, won a corner. Summerfield went short to Woods then finding Danny Williams. The wing-back fired a shot which deflected wide for another corner. Woods took his time, but it went over everyone and eventually out for a goal kick.
Shortly after Town’s double substitution, The Shaymen won a free kick in a dangerous crossing position. Woods fired in the cross, but Neill Byrne could only head over the bar.
Again, it was Halifax that came close. A pass was fizzed into substitute Nyal bell. A good touch took him past the defence, but his shot crashed against the bar and went clear.
Sutton had their best chance of the half in the 72nd minute. Williams, now playing at right back, brought down Isaac Olaofe just outside the box. Beautyman stepped up and narrowly shot over the bar.
Again, Sutton threatened from a set-piece. This time Niall Maher bringing his man down just outside the box. Maher receiving a booking for this. Kenny Davis went to shoot, and it wasn’t too far wide of the mark.
The result sees The Shaymen drop to 20th in the National League, while Sutton remain second. Town face Barnet at home on Wednesday 19:45 kick off.
Sutton United: 1 Dean Bouzanis; 5 Ben Goodliffe; 6 Louis John; 7 David Ajiboye (3 Ben Wyatt 85’); 8 Kenny Davis; 10 Harry Beautyman; 11 Will Randall (2 Jon Barden 45’); 15 Craig Eastmond ©; 17 Tobi Sho-Silva (9 Omar Bugiel 80’); 24 Rob Milsom; 25 Isaac Olaofe
Unused substitutes: 14 Craig Dundas; 21 Callum Kealey
FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson; 11 Danny Williams; 31 Niall Maher; 5 Neill Byrne; 6 Tom Bradbury; 4 Nathan Clarke © (39 Nyal Bell 56’); 19 Luke Summerfield; 26 Martin Woods (8 Kieran Green 85’); 32 Neil Danns (10 Jack Earing 56’); 15 Gevaro Nepomuceno; 7 Jamie Allen
Unused substitutes: 12 Harrison Davison-Hale; 3 Jack Senior
Referee: Lloyd Wood
Assistants: Steve Parmenter & Shaun Farrer
4th Official: Howard Collins
Yellow Cards: Sho-Silva 25’, Clarke 32’, Williams 72’, Maher 82’
Red Cards: N/A
Goals: Beautyman 9’
Sutton United 1 FC Halifax Town 0
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