FC Halifax Town claimed victory against Eastleigh at the Say following a strong team performance with a 3-1 victory.
Town came into today’s tie making one change. Jamie Cooke replaced Andrew Oluwabori as the Shaymen looked to pick up their third win of the season. Eastleigh were set to be a stern test however, having come into today’s tie in 5th place.
Eastleigh had the better of the opening 5 minutes, a few corners posed a threat but didn’t lead to anything. Halifax did then get into the game and had a couple of half chances themselves. Joe McDonnell was called into action on a couple of occasions but none of which tested him too much.
Halifax took the lead just before the half hour mark. A free kick from out wide was swung in and fell to Adam Senior on the edge of the box. His low effort found Billy Waters at the back post, who managed to scramble home, for his first goal back in a Town shirt, after his first spell with the club in the 21/22 season.
Scott High had the Shaymen’s next effort on goal, he took aim from 25 yards but dragged wide of the left post.
The home side doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Florent Hoti delivered well for Will Smith to powerfully head home. The referee then blew his whistle for the half time break. Halifax headed into the tunnel much deserving of their lead.
Eastleigh made a double sub at the restart, Soloman Nwabuokei and Wes McDonald replaced Chris Maguire and Angel Waruih in the hope of getting their side back into the game.
A mistake from Adam Adetoro in the middle of the park saw Eastleigh race forwards in numbers. Paul McCallum squared to substitute Wes Mcdonald, but a brilliant Adam Senior tackle denied the Spitfires from getting one back.
Adan George then had the chance to make it three for the Shaymen but a smart stop from McDonnell denied the winger from close range.
He wouldn’t rue this missed chance for long though, a delightful Corner routine gave George the opportunity to deliver. His ball in found the head of Adetoro who nodded in for three. This was Adetoro’s second of the season, following his goal on the opening day of the campaign.
Goalscorer Waters was replaced midway through the second half as well as forward compatriots, Hoti and George. Max Wright, Andrew Oluwabori and Tom Pugh came on in their places.
A goal in the 82nd minute did give Eastleigh a glimmer of hope. A Jake Vokins free kick found Richard Brindley at the far post who headed home for the away side.
Oluwabori had the chance to restore the three goal cushion seconds later however his close-range effort rose high of McDonnell’s goal.
Five minutes were added on at the end of the second half before the referee blew for full time.
Halifax will be annoyed about Eastleigh’s late goal, but there was much to be happy about with the performance on display.
Next up For Halifax is a trip to Maidenhead on Saturday.
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson, 5 Adam Senior, 15 Will Smith, 27 Adam Adetoro, 11 Angelo Cappello (3 Ryan Galvin 28), 6 Jack Evans, 30 Scott High (26 Owen Bray 90) 18 Florent Hoti (23 Tom Pugh 78), 10 Jamie Cooke 19 Adan George (7 Max Wright 74) , 29 Billy Waters (22 Andrew Oluwabori 67)
Subs: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 4 Festus Arthur
Eastleigh
1 Joe McDonell, 2 Richard Brindley (23 Jai Semenyo 88) 3 Jake Vokins (21 Noa Boutin 83), 5 Luis Fernandez (4 Lloyd Humphries, 7 Chris Maguire (27 Wes McDonald 46), 8 Jake Taylor © 9 Paul McCallum 10 Tyrese Shade, 18 Angel Waruih (16 Soloman Nwaboukei 46), 19 Corey Panter, 31 Niall Maher
Subs:, 6 Ludwig Francillette, 13 Tommy Scott
Referee: William Davis
Goals: Waters 27, Smith 45, Adetoro 61, Brindley 82
Yellow Cards: Nwaboukei 52, Oluwabori 76, Panter 86
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1242 (23 away)
FC Halifax Town 3 Eastleigh 1
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