FC Halifax Town secured their first win of the season and equally the first of the Adam Lakeland reign with a determined 1–0 victory away at Boston United.
Josh Hmami’s first goal in a Town shirt proved the difference, as the Shaymen made a bright start in Lincolnshire and showed resilience to see out the contest and claim a valuable three points on the road.
There was one change for the Shaymen ahead of the clash, as David Kawa replaced Will Harris in the starting line-up.
The game started at a lively pace, with both teams enjoying early surges forward. Halifax edged the opening exchanges, winning three corners in quick succession, though none yielded a breakthrough.
Their bright start was soon rewarded. Thierry Latty-Fairweather released a smart ball down the flank, which the tireless Kawa chased down. After beating his marker, he delivered an inviting cross that Josh Hmami converted neatly for his first goal in a Town shirt.
Moments later, Owen Bray’s driving run almost doubled the visitors’ lead, his cross-shot flashing just wide.
The remainder of the first half was shaped by the strikers on display. Kawa looked a constant menace for the Shaymen, using his pace and power to trouble the Boston defence, particularly on the counter-attack. At the other end, John-Lewis showcased all his experience, twice testing Sam Johnson in the Halifax goal. His best chance came when he rolled his defender smartly before firing goalward, only for Johnson to respond with a sharp stop.
The second half began in similar fashion. A missed header from Jordan Richards caused chaos in the Pilgrims’ box, with Kawa pouncing from six yards, but an incredible block denied him a deserved goal.
John-Lewis was handed his third big chance of the night ten minutes into the half, when Alex Lankshear’s deep delivery broke kindly for him. However, the veteran striker couldn’tquite apply the finish. That miss nearly proved costly, as moments later Halifax created a golden opportunity of their own. Hmami’s teasing cross found Bray arriving at the back post, but he was unable to keep his close-range effort on target.
It was a feisty affair throughout with the crowd well involved but none so more than when Cody Johnson launched into a strong challenge which sent the home supporters into a period of uproar.
Late in the game, there was a chance for new signing Jay Turner-Cooke to get valuable minutes under his belt as he looked to stamp his authority in midfield. After some late substitutions of their own Boston looked slightly more toothless as the tie went on, the departure of John Lewis was noticeable, and the home side certainly missed his presence late on.
In the end, Hmami’s first-half strike was enough to deliver Halifax’s first victory of the season much to the delight of the 95 travelling fans.
Boston United 1 Rhys Lovett, 2 Ben Grist, 4 Connor Teale, 6 Gregory Sloggett ©, 8 Dylan Hill, 11 Kieren Donnelly (16 Jordy Hiwula 72), 14 Lenell John-Lewis (27 Manni Norkett 81), 17 Alex Lanshear, 18 Tom Fogarty, 19 Jordan Richards, 32 Jordan Cropper (7 Rocco Coyle 31)
Subs: 21 Bobby Jones, 22 Arjan Singh, 31 Finley Ging, 33 Billy Bradley
FC Halifax Town 1 Sam Johnson ©, 4 Will Hugill, 5 Shaun Hobson, 8 Josh Hmami, 10 Jamie Cooke, 16 Jevon Mills (3 Adam Adetoro 28), 17 Owen Bray (27 Jay Turner-Cooke 80), 22 David Kawa (11 Angelo Cappello 69), 29 Sean Tarima, 30 Cody Johnson, 36 Thierry Latty-Fairweather
Subs: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 20 Jack Jenkins, 21 Zak Emmerson, 25 Tom Pugh
Referee: Callum Walchester
Goals: Hmami 8
Yellow Cards: Coyle 39, Hugill 41, Hmami 45 + 5, Teale 86, Cooke 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 2205 (95 away)
Boston United 0 FC Halifax Town 1
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