FC Hallifax Town Town were defeated in their penultimate pre-season game as two second half goals from Ashton United sealed the win for the hosts.
Within the first 30 seconds of the game, Town had a shot on target. Max Wright received the ball from Jack Jenkins. He charged towards goal but the Ashton ‘keeper made the save.
After 12 minutes, Wright’s cross found Aaron Cosgrave in the box. His header went just wide of the crossbar.
Just before the half hour mark, Zak Emmerson was played in on goal by Jamie Cooke. As Emmerson went to take his shot, the Ashton United skipper was able to slide in to stop the shot.
Town were forced into their first change in the 33rd minute as Town’s trialist was replaced by Adam Adetoro.
Both sides headed into the break goalless, yet to break the deadlock.
The Shaymen started well with Adam Senior’s ball in which looked for Wright. However, his volley went wide.
It was Senior himself that was next to test the ‘keeper. The ball came in and he had time to control it from close range but O’Keefe was able to make the save.
Town’s second change came in the 64th minute as Sam Johnson was replaced by a trialist goalkeeper.
Against the run of play, Ashton United took the lead in the 73rd minute. The Town ‘keeper saved the initial shot; however he couldn’t keep hold of the ball and it landed back in the six-yard box. It was then an unfortunate case of wrong place wrong time for Festus Arthur, who could do nothing to stop the ball bouncing from him and into the net.
In the 81st minute, Frankie Sinfield replaced Jo Cummings.
With less than five minutes to go, Ashton United were awarded a penalty as Adam Adetoro was adjudged to have tripped his man. The penalty was converted by the Ashton trialist.
Town are back in Ashton-Under-Lyne at the weekend as they travel to Curzon Ashton on Saturday, 3pm kick-off
Halifax: Johnson, Senior, Arthur, Cummings, Triallist, Jenkins, Pugh, Wright, Cosgrave, Cooke, Emmerson. Subs: Sinfield, Chikukwa, Lavelle, Triallist, Alimi-Adetoro.
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