FC Halifax Town delivered their biggest win of the season with a dominant 4–0 victory over Braintree Town at The Shay. Adam Lakeland’s side controlled the match from start to finish, showcasing their most confident performance of the campaign.
Halifax came out firing, immediately putting Braintree under pressure. Early link-up play between Josh Hmami and Will Harris forced the Irons back, before a second opportunity saw Hmami slip in Will Hugill, only for captain George Langston to intercept the final ball.
From the resulting corner, Owen Bray’s delivery was punched clear by Braintree keeper Jack Thompson. Halifax continued to dictate the tempo, with Cody Johnson driving through midfield to create another promising attack, though Bray’s attempt to square for Harris was gathered by Thompson.
A brief spell of sloppiness allowed Braintree to push forward, but Adam Adetoro cleared well to deny Callum Logan’s cross. Halifax quickly re-established control, and further chances followed through Hugill, Bray, and Harris, though the finishing touch continued to elude them.
Town finally found the breakthrough they deserved in the 36th minute. A corner from Hmami caused chaos in the six-yard box, with Harris backheeling the ball toward Will Smith, who reacted quickly to steer it into the bottom corner. It was Smith’s first goal of the season on his first start of the campaign, putting Halifax 1–0 up.
Halifax nearly doubled their lead moments later when Harris’ effort was brilliantly saved by Thompson. At the other end, Braintree struggled to create anything meaningful, and the Shaymen continued to counter with purpose before the referee brought an impressive first half to a close.
Braintree looked livelier after the restart, but Halifax remained dangerous. A flowing move from a long ball by Sam Johnson saw Harris link with Bray, whose attempt to find Hmami ended in a heavy collision with Thompson. Hmami was temporarily sidelined, though Town continued to manage the game well.
The visitors then registered their best moment of the match when Tom Blackwell struck from distance, forcing Johnson into a stunning full-stretch save to preserve the lead.
The Shaymen regained momentum, with Cody Johnson winning possession high up the pitch and eventually winning a free-kick on the edge of the box. Hmami’s curling strike was brilliantly tipped over by Thompson, who continued to keep the Irons within touching distance.
Braintree made a series of substitutions, but none changed the tide. Halifax then introduced Angelo Capello, and the winger made an instant impact. In the 73rd minute, Capello was brought down by Thompson, who was booked for the foul. Hmami stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to secure his 7th goal of the season and Town’s second of the afternoon.
Just five minutes later, Halifax struck again. A mistake from Braintree’s Chay Cooper allowed Hmami to launch a long ball forward to Harris, who stayed composed and slotted through Thompson’s legs to make it 3–0.
Town continued to press, and another defensive error nearly gifted Harris his second, before Lakeland freshened up his side with more substitutions.
The best goal of the match came in the 88th minute. After a floated Hmami free kick was met by Adetero who headed the ball down for substitute Jevon Mills who took a touch outside the box and, urged on by the crowd, drilled a stunning low strike into the bottom-left corner to make it 4–0.
Lakeland used the final moments to rotate his squad, with Hmami and Hugill receiving deserved rests before the referee blew for full time.
A commanding and composed display from the Shaymen, who dominated from start to finish and claimed a much-needed victory. Town looked sharp, hungry, and clinical form that will give them confidence heading into the next fixture.
Match Stats
FC Halifax Town
1 Johnson ©, 3 Adetoro, 15 Smith, 36 Latty-Fairweather, 30 Johnson, 4 Hugill (20 Jenkins 90), 8 Hmami (29 Tarima 90), 19 Warburton, 17 Bray (16 Mills 84), 9 Harris (31 Devonport 83), 27 Turner-Cooke (11 Cappello 68)
Subs: 12 Ford, 21 Emmerson
Braintree Town
13 Thompson, 4 Langston ©, 5 Omrore (9 Walker 76), 6 Vennings, 7 Blackwell (18 Kamara 76), 11 Cooper, 16 Babic (10 Emmanuel-Thomas 64), 17 Pinnington, 24 Terry, 33 Logan, 38 Works (14 Akinde 67)
Subs: 2 Francis-Clarke, 15 Smith, 19 Hockey
Referee:
Matthew McQuillan
Goals: Smith 36, Hmami 73 (pen), Harris 78, Mills 87
Yellow Cards: Thompson 71
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1080 (17 away)
FC Halifax Town 4 Braintree Town 0
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