FC Halifax Town were consigned to defeat on the opening day of the newly named National League with a 3-1 defeat away at Boreham Wood. Despite a debut goal from Jordan Burrow, goals from Ricky Shakes, Jamie Lucas and Harry Crawford gave the newly promoted side their first ever three points at this level.
After a fairly scrappy opening 20 minutes it was the home side who had the early chances, with Luke Howell nicking the ball off new boy Kingsley James and firing a low effort that just whistled wide of Matt Glennon’s post.
With not much more action to report in the first half it was Boreham Wood who took the lead in the 38th minute. A ball over the top bounced kindly for Shakes and when The Shaymen defence had a lapse of communication, the Guyana international lofted a beautiful lob over Glennon, giving the ‘keeper no chance.
Glennon was called into action once again six minutes later, pulling off a brilliant save from Scott Doe’s 25 yard strike.
FC Halifax found themselves back on level terms right on the stroke of half-time. Jack Hibbs was brought down in the area and the referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Debutant Burrow stepped up and almost took the net out of the goal with a powerful spot-kick to make it 1-1 at half-time.
It was The Shaymen who started the second half the brighter, buoyed by that late first-half goal and knocking the ball around well and they nearly took the lead when Hibbs’ free-kick from the edge of the area rattled the post.
With just over an hour played, Boreham Wood snuck back in front. A costly slip from skipper Hamza Bencherif on his debut allowed 19 year old Jamie Lucas to steal in and the teenager on loan from Bristol Rovers made it 2-1.
Now The Wood were really knocking on the door, with Graeme Montgomery firing over the bar after James Bolton’s half clearance and Billy Clifford’s attempt was always sailing over the bar from the edge of the area minutes later.
With ten minutes to play Town had a chance to equalise and perhaps rescue a point but Elliott Whitehouse’s first time effort was wide of James Russell’s goal, but it was the home side who would grab the next goal as Harry Crawford made it 3-1 in injury time to seal all three points for The Wood.
Boreham Wood:- Boreham Wood: Russell, Nunn, Woodards, Doe, Reynolds (c), Shakes, Howell, Montgomery, Lucas (Crawford 69), C Clifford, B Clifford (Whichelow 77).
Subs not used: Hill, Morais, Edwards
FC Halifax Town:- FC Halifax Town: Team News: Glennon, Bolton, McManus, James, Bencherif (c), Whitehouse, Burrow, Brown, HIbbs, MacDonald (Bishop 66), Tuton.
Subs: Porters, Hutchison, Walker, Hughes
ATT: 701
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