FC Halifax Town got back to winning ways in the Vanarama National League this evening courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Dagenham and Redbridge at The Shay.
A first half header from Kieran Green was the deciding factor in what was a solid display from Town, who looked in control of the game throughout.
The Shaymen’s goal came with the first real opportunity of the game, in the 12th minute. Miscommunication at the back between the Dagenham defence saw the visitors give away a cheap corner on the left, with Matty Warburton delivering a brilliant cross into the centre of the area that was headed powerfully into the net by Kieran Green – his first goal for the club.
Town continued to threaten from set pieces, when minutes later another superb delivery from a corner by Warburton again picked out Green at the back post, but the midfielders header was just off target.
After a positive start from The Shaymen, the chances continued to come in their bid for a second goal before the break. Jamie Allen played in Matty Warburton down the left, with the midfielders shot from a tight angle being well saved by Elliot Justham, before the Dagenham goalkeeper was again the saviour from his side from the resulting corner, as he reacted quickly to deny a Tom Bradbury header.
Dagenham struggled to put Halifax under any real pressure but their best play come through midfielder Mo Sagaf. In the latter stages of the first half, Sagaf set up Angelo Balanta on the edge of the box, however the shot was blocked well by Niall Maher.
Moments later, a Sagaf corner momentarily looked to cause some trouble as the ball fell to Matt Robinson who got a good shot away, but was denied by Sam Johnson before the referee blew for a free-kick.
The second half began in the same fashion as the first, with the Shaymen on the front foot. Kieran Green was again lively as he picked out Jack Vale on the right side of the box. Vale flashed the ball across the box first time with it agonisingly close to the outstretched Billy Waters, but the striker couldn’t quite reach it and the ball went just wide of the post.
The game became more open in the second-half as Dagenham pushed men forward to try and find an equaliser, coming close when Angelo Balanta played in substitute Mauro Vilhete on the left, who got a good shot away, but Sam Johnson got down quick to retain the Shaymen’s lead.
From the resulting counter-attack, Jamie Allen did well to get in on the left, and pulled it back for Matty Warburton on the edge of the area, but the midfielder saw his shot blocked.
Chances for the away side were mainly limited to set pieces as the visitors found the well-organised Shaymen defence difficult to break down. After a Billy Waters foul 25 yards out, William Wright struck a low free kick towards Town’s goal, but Sam Johnson gathered it with ease at his far post, with the shot lacking any real power.
With the score only 1-0, there were a few nervy moments in the final stages for Town. With the game approaching stoppage time, substitute George Saunders picked out Dean Rance just 10 yards out, but the shot was poor and went over the bar, failing to test Sam Johsnon.
As Dagenham continued to throw bodies, Halifax threatened to double their lead on the counter. Good work from Harvey Gilmour on the right saw the substitute cut in and get a shot away on his left foot, but it went just wide of the post.
In the end however, the solitary goal was all Town needed as they stood firm to secure an important victory, with it finishing FC Halifax Town 1-0 Dagenham and Redbridge.
Match Stats:
FC Halifax Town:
1 Sam Johnson, 3 Jack Senior, 6 Tom Bradbury, 7 Jamie Allen (25 Jordan Slew 77), 8 Kieran Green, 10 Matty Warburton (20 Harvey Gilmour 82), 11 Billy Waters, 17 Kian Spence, 21 Tyrell Warren, 22 Jack Vale (24 Elliot Newby 67), 31 Niall Maher ©,
Subs: 5 Jesse Debrah, 18 Javid Swaby-Neavin
Dagenham:
1 Elliot Justham, 2 Callum Reynolds, 3 Elliott Johnson, 5 William Wright, 8 Mo Sagaf, 10 Angelo Balanta ©, 11 Myles Weston, 12 Matt Robinson (4 Dean Rance 79), 15 Scott Wilson (14 George Saunders 79), 19 Sam Ling (20 Mauro Vilhete 56), 26 Joseph Jones
Subs: 6 Kenneth Clark, 18 Ryley Scott
Referee: Andrew Miller
Goals: Kieran Green 12
Yellow Cards: Robinson 49, Waters 60, Warren 80, Green 88
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1761 (58 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 Dagenham 0
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