FC Halifax Town will return to West Yorkshire with no points following a 2-1 defeat away at Altrincham in the final league match of 2022 this afternoon.
Town boss Chris Millington had made three changes from the last league game with Jamie Stott, Jamie Cooke and Jesse Debrah replaced by Jack Hunter, Jordan Keane and Luke Summerfield into the starting eleven.
The Shaymen started the game brightly earning a flurry of corners but were unable to create an effort at goal.
Chris Conn-Clark cross found Connor Jennings whose effort was blocked, then Brad Jackson had an effort but neither were able to trouble Town goalkeeper Sam Johnson
The first real effort of the game fell to Altrincham’s man of the match Isaac Marriot, his shot going over the bar, but it was really good play from the home side
A minute later, Matt Warburton went down the right, his cross found Mani Dieseruvwe who turned but his effort was blocked, and goalkeeper Oliver Byrne was able to make a comfortable save
Warburton had an effort which swerved and parried by Byrne, then Luke Summerfield had a shot deflected for a corner
The Robins top goalscorer Ryan Colclough had an effort deflected into the arms of Sam Johnson at the 2nd attempt.
In an even first half, Mani Dieseruvwe shot from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner but were unable to find a chance at goal.
However, Town weren’t to be denied and when Dieseruvwe was fouled by James Jones on 42 mins edge of the box, Matt Warburton stepped up and his effort sailed past Oliver Byrne into the right corner for the opening goal of the game and his first goal of the season.
The home side equalised on 54 minutes, Angelo Cappello looked to have been fouled and he fell on the ball to catch the ball, but the referee Michael Barlow awarded the freekick to Altrincham. They took it quickly and Colcough went past his defender and fired past Johnson for the equaliser.
Town looked to find the lead again but a turn from Dieseruvwe was over the bar
The impressive Colcough effort needed to be tipped over the bar from Sam Johnson on 72 minutes, the resulting corner was cleared at the near post
The home side were growing in confidence, a shot came in from Colclough was spilled by Johnson, but he reclaimed it at the feet of Marcus Dinanga
Town’s hearts were broken in injury time as the Robins won the game late on through Chris Conn-Clark, his mazy run beat a number of Town defenders and he fired past Johnson to give the Robins all three points and they move above the Shaymen in the league table.
The two sides will meet again on New Year’s Day at the Shay in the return fixture, 3pm kick-off.
Match Stats
Altrincham. 1 Oliver Byrne, 5 Toby Mullarkey, 26 James Jones, 6 Lewis Baines, 2 Edward Johnes, 8 Josh Lundstram, 4 Isaac Marriott, 17 Brad Jackson (18 Ben Pringle 66) 16 Chris Conn-Clark, 11 Ryan Colclough. 35 Connor Jennings (30 Marcus Dinanga 61)
Subs: 9 Jordan Hulme, 10 Elliot Osborne, 31 Dan Malone
FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 2 Tylor Golden, 16 Jordan Keane © (21 Millenic Alli 88) 14 Jack Hunter, 22 Festus Arthur, 18 Angelo Cappello (3 Jack Senior 67), 4 Luke Summerfield, 20 Harvey Gilmour, 8 Kian Spence, 10 Matt Warburton, 9 Mani Dieseruvwe (35 Osayamen Osawe 63)
Subs: 19 Jamie Cooke, 25 Jordan Slew
Referee: Michael Barlow
Goals: Warburton 43, Colclough 54, Conn-Clark 90
Yellow Cards: Marriott 14, Golden 68, Conn-Clark 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance 3006 (468 away)
Altrincham 2 FC Halifax Town 1
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