FC Halifax Town edged Boxing Day clash as they beat Altrincham 2-1 at the Shay.
The stop-start nature that had characterised much of the first half was quickly cast aside after the interval. Three goals within twenty minutes of the restart put Halifax 2-1 up and in pole position after Josh Hmami and Will Hugill struck for the Shaymen. Despite a late flurry of chances for the away side Halifax held out for three points to make it five unbeaten.
AJ Warburton replaced Max Wright as the only change to the Halifax Town starting XI for the Boxing Day fixture against Altrincham.
An early injury to Thierry Latty-Fairweather forced Town into an early reshuffle, with Will Hugill introduced in his place. Consequently, Angelo Cappello was moved into the left-back position.
Town’s first real moment of Boxing Day encouragement arrived on the 20-minute mark. A well-delivered cross from Cappello was directed towards the head of Hugill, but stretching to make contact, the forward could only divert his effort wide of the post.
Much of Halifax’s positive play in the opening period stemmed from quick counter-attacking moves. The most threatening of these came just after the half-hour mark, when Josh Hmami broke free before releasing the ball wide to Owen Bray. Bray looked to fire goalwards, but his effort was well blocked behind for a corner.
Bray was involved again only minutes later, playing the ball into the path of Hmami, who laid it back to Cody Johnson on the edge of the area. Johnson struck the ball cleanly, but Bolton loanee Luke Hutchinson was equal to the effort and made a good save.
Four minutes of additional time were signalled at the end of an evenly contested first half. There was still time for one final opportunity for the visitors, however, as a corner deep into stoppage time broke kindly for Jake Southern-Cooper, who blasted wide from close range.
It took just four minutes of the second half for the Shaymen to take the lead. Early substitute Hugill spread the play out wide to Cappello, who delivered a dangerous low cross into the penalty area. The ball evaded Will Harris and fell to Hmami, who reacted quickest to poke home from close range.
Altrincham almost found an immediate response minutes later when a floated corner picked out Tom Crawford unmarked at the back post, but his effort drifted wide of the upright.
It was not long before Altrincham did draw level, doing so in spectacular fashion. Oliver Crankshaw collected the ball on the left flank before cutting inside onto his right foot. He unleashed a powerful strike that flew into the top-right corner, as the 27-year-old wheeled away in celebration after netting his fourth goal of the season.
The second half was quite the opposite of the first, with the third goal in quick succession coming in the favour of the home side. Some lovely footwork from Cappello saw him in acres of the space down the left flank, he picked out Will Harris who flicked goalwards, Southern-Cooper parried into the path of Hugill who powered home for his first for the club.
Halifax’s second substitution of the day came with twenty minutes to play as Max Wright replaced Owen Bray. David Kawa then replaced Harris a few minutes later.
The fourth official signalled for a further four minutes of additional time at the end of the ninety as AJ Warburton picked up a yellow.
A late free kick for the away side nearly caused trouble however Johnson did well to parry over from the effort of Charlie Kirk.
The last chance of the game came for the Robins, Elliot Osborne struck from long range, but Johnson could only parry to Kahrel Reddin, he beat his man before clipping to Charlie Kirk but once again Johnson denied and shortly after the referee blew for full time.
Match Stats
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson, 3 Adam Adetoro, 15 Will Smith, 36 Thierry Latty-Fairweather (4 Will Hugill 9) 30 Cody Johnson, 11 Angelo Cappello, 8 Josh Hmami, 19 AJ Warburton, 17 Owen Bray (7 Max Wright 71), 9 Will Harris (22 David Kawa 83), 27 Jay Turner-Cooke
Subs: 12 Nat Ford, 16 Jevon Mills, 5 Shaun Hobson, 31 Owen Devonport
Altrincham
30 Luke Hutchinson, 4 Lewis Baines © (34 Dan Sassi 86), 5 Jake Cooper, 6 Elliot Osborne, 7 Oliver Crankshaw, 8 Isaac Marriott, 14 Matt Kosylo (10 Keaton Ward 62), 17 Lucas Weaver (20 Kahrel Reddin 73), 22 Tom Crawford (40 Charlie Kirk 73), 23 Tylor Golden, 33 Edward Jones (11 Jimmy Knowles)
Subs: 41 Max Beddow, 9 James Gale
Goals: Hmami 48, Crankshaw 55, Hugill 64
Yellow Cards: Kosylo 45, Cappello 50, Crawford 63, Warburton 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1813 (313 Away)
FC Halifax Town 2 Altrincham 1
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