FC Halifax Town go to third in the league with a 1-0 victory over Bromley.
Town were looking to win this game to go four games unbeaten whilst Bromley were coming into the game without a win in the last four.
Luke Summerfield’s second-half volley was enough to seal the victory for The Shaymen.
Pete Wild made two changes from the side that beat Dover at The Shay just three days ago.
Town started the game with a lively first 10 minutes. The positive spell started when Martin Woods passed the ball to Jordan Slew. He was in search of his first goal since January 8th, but his shot was just over the bar.
Jamie Allen then had a go just a minute later when his shot from the left was saved by Ellery Balcombe in the Bromley net. Town had another chance when Woods ball in found Tyrell Warren, but his effort went just inches over the bar.
Bromley’s first chance came in the 13th minute when Luke Coulson found Ali Al-Hamadi, but his volley went over the bar. Town responded instantly when Jack Senior’s cross met Summerfield. His shot was saved by Balcombe and the rebound was blocked by the Bromley defence.
Town continued to apply the pressure with chances coming from Woods and Warren but neither of them could find the breakthrough.
Just before the break, Matty Warburton had his shot blocked by Balcombe, Billy Waters was able to latch onto the rebound, but it resulted in a Bromley goal-kick.
The Shaymen went into the break having had the better chances of the two sides.
The second half recommenced as an evenly matched affair.
The visitors made their first change in the 54th minute as Bromley were looking to get on the front foot. Jude Arthurs was brought on in the place of James Vennings. Town then made their first change just three minutes later. Jamie Thomas came on in the place of Allen who was forced off through injury.
The deadlock was broken in the 64th minute as Town took the lead. Waters cut in from the left to play the ball to Summerfield. His low shot beat the keeper from 30 yards out. This is Summerfield’s second goal in all competitions for this season- the first coming in December in the FA Trophy against Bradford Park Avenue.
Bromley responded by making their second change. Connor Parsons came on in the place of Coulson.
The visitors applied the pressure in the closing stages of the game as they looked for an equaliser. Billy Bingham’s corner caused problems in the box for Town, but it was dealt with well by the defence in the end. The visitors tried their luck again just two minutes later when Michael Cheek’s cross found the head of Arthurs, but the effort was wide of the target.
Town made their second change as Kian Spence came on in the place of Woods in the 81st minute.
Just two minutes later, Warburton played Waters in the box. Waters’ shot was tipped over by Balcombe for a Town corner. Warburton latched onto the end pf the corner, but it was tipped wide again.
The visitors were continuing to ask questions of the Town defence. A Bromley header was heading goalward from the back post. However, Warren was there to pull of a brilliant block to head the ball away to keep Town ahead. His efforts earnt him a pat on the back from the other Town players.
As the referee indicated an additional five minutes, Town made their final change of the game. Zak Dearnley was brought on in the place of Slew.
In the dying moments of the game, Dearnley’s strike has palmed away by Balcombe to give Town a corner in the 94th minute. That proved to be the last chance of the game.
Summerfield’s strike sends The Shaymen to third in the league, level on points with second placed Chesterfield. Next up at The Shay is Torquay United this Saturday at 3pm.
FC Halifax Town:
1 Sam Johnson, 3 Jack Senior, 4 Luke Summerfield, 6 Tom Bradbury, 7 Jamie Allen (16 Jamie Thomas 57), 10 Matty Warburton, 11 Billy Waters, 21 Tyrell Warren, 25 Jordan Slew (27 Zak Dearnley 90), 26 Martin Woods (17 Kian Spence 81), 31 Niall Maher ©
5 Jesse Debrah, 15 Gerry McDonagh
Bromley:
13 Ellery Balcombe, 2 Joe Partington, 5 Chris Bush, 17 Byron Webster, 18 Corey Whitely, 7 Luke Coulson (39 Connor Parsons 68), 4 Billy Bingham, 12 Scott Wagstaff, 21 James Vennings (8 Jude Arthurs 54), 9 Michael Cheek, 37 Ali Al-Hamadi
Subs: 10 James Alabi, 34 Jack Cawley, 22 George Alexander
Referee: Jacob Miles
Goals: Summerfield 64
Yellow Cards: Woods 20, Summerfield 42, Dunne (on the bench) 90, Johnson 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1693 (43 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 Bromley 0
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