FC Halifax Town U19’s first game of the season ended in a 4-1 defeat to Altrincham at the Wyke Sports Village.
Town would’ve been feeling optimistic going into this fixture taking 4 points from the opposition last season with an outstanding 5-1 victory away from home.
It was a fast start from the home side, starting the match with a high press attacking the Altrincham fullbacks when in possession looking to force some early turnovers.
It was Andre McKenzie who scored the first goal of the match in the 7th minute for Halifax. The players reaped the rewards from their high press forcing a mistake which McKenzie capitalised on and struck the ball in the bottom left corner to give Halifax a 1-0 lead.
Harry Comody had a half chance that went marginally wide after positive direct play from Ayo Oyebanjo but the shot was millimetres away from doubling the lead.
It looked like Town would be going into the second half with the lead, but Altrincham managed to equalise just before halftime from a corner to make it 1-1 in the 43rd minute.
Seconds later Altrincham went 2-1 up in the 44th minute from a low cross into the box that was converted by their frontman.
HALF TIME: FC Halifax Town 1-2 Altrincham
Town tried to find a way back in the game, Ted Lavelle thunderously struck the ball and it looked destined to be a goal. However, the Altrincham goalkeeper went early and made a wonderful stop to deny the equaliser.
Kyle Buckingham made an outstanding save to stop the Altrincham striker, saving a snapshot from point-blank range to keep the opposition from taking a three-goal lead.
Town were looking for the equaliser and Comody beat his man wonderfully in the middle of the pitch and chipped a ball over the Altrincham defence, but Lavelle was caught offside trying to beat the high line.
In the 65th minute, Altrincham were awarded a penalty after Lavelle fouled the Altrincham winger. The fouled player stepped up and scored to give them a 3-1 lead.
An amazing chance for Town and it was Amari Sokoni who met a pinpoint cross that fell right on the penalty spot, but a crowded area saw the ball go wide of the goal.
As the game started to approach the latter stages, Town realised that they needed to step it up and increase the tempo to try and put Altrincham on the back foot.
In the 87th minute, the Altrincham number 10 got his brace and made it 4-1, a strike from outside the box that rustled the side netting confirmed an opening day defeat for Halifax.
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