FC Halifax Town won 2-0 at home to Ebbsfleet United this afternoon
There was just the one change to the starting eleven for the Shaymen today as Luca Thomas replaced Andrew Oluwabori for his first start in a blue shirt.
Town got off to a fast start through their new man Thomas after he powerfully slotted home just twelve minutes into the game, Halifax were made to work for their second, but it was worth the wait. Substitute Jamie Cooke volleyed into the top right corner from 30 yards out which secured all three points for the Shaymen.
A low Adam Senior free kick caused chaos early in the tie, Max Wright latched onto the loose ball and volleyed towards goal, but it was deflected off the line via Anthony Stewarts chest.
It didn’t take long for the Shaymen to find the opener in this one, Zak Emmerson gained possession in the middle of the pitch before laying the ball off to Jack Evans, some brilliant vision from Evans saw him pick out the run of Thomas who took a touch before smashing home from the edge of the box into the far corner for his first goal for Halifax.
Some tidy footwork from Dominic Samuel drew a foul on the edge of the Halifax box, Captain Luke O’Neill was given custody of the ball, but his effort didn’t have the required dip to test Sam Johnson in the Shaymen net.
Ebbsfleet had a dangerous five-minute spell towards the latter stages of the first half, a series of corners caused some level of concern for the Town defence, the second of three corners required Scott High to make an important block to deny Samuel from poking in from close range.
Scott High and Thomas combined nicely in the middle of the park before High gave Owen Bray the opportunity to drive forward. Bray then played the ball out to the left into the feet of Zak Emmerson, Emmerson cut inside before shooting, but his effort fell kindly into the hands of Mark Cousins.
Max Wright picked up the games first caution after scything down his man as Ebbsfleet looked to break forward,
In a half of many chances the final one fell Halifax’s way, Thomas was gifted the ball in a dangerous position, and he looked to deliver into the box towards Emmerson who headed over the bar on the stretch.
From the restart Anthony Stewart picked up a booking after losing out in a foot race to Ryan Galvin down the left wing.
The Shaymen were the first to turn to the bench as Jamie Cooke replaced Zak Emmerson early into the second half. However, minutes later Ebbsfleet replied with changes of their own as they looked to get a foothold back into the game. Nathan Odokonyero and Franklin Domi were the players introduced.
Ryan Galvin was having a good game and every time he got forward he looked dangerous; this was demonstrated particularly so in the 65th minute when his driving run ended with him having a go at goal, but he couldn’t quite beat Cousins at his near post. Bray was replaced by Tom Pugh, to a standing ovation shortly after.
With twenty minutes to go Town doubled their advantage and it’s safe to say it’s one that will be making the goal of the season nominations at the end of the season. Scott High attempted to play a pass through to Thomas but it was cut out and the ball looped high into the air 30 yards out, substitute Jamie Cooke took one look at the ball falling out of the sky before volleying home into the top right-hand corner. This was his 5th goal in the league, and he won’t score a better one all season.
Angelo Cappello and Jack Jenkins were next to be introduced for Town as they aimed to see out their 2-0 lead. Adam Adetoro and Toby Edser both picked up bookings during this period.
Ebbsfleet did have the chance to get one back with five minutes to go a George Moncur cross met the head of Kwame Thomas, but his effort was comfortable for Johnson.
Four minutes were shown by the fourth official at the end of the ninety which gave Halifax the chance to make one last sub as goalscorer Luca Thomas made way for Andrew Oluwabori. Following this the final whistle went.
FC Halifax Town:
1 Sam Johnson ©, 5 Adam Senior, 15 Will Smith, 27 Adam Adetoro, 3 Ryan Galvin, 30 Scott High, 6 Jack Evans (20 Jack Jenkins 81) 26 Owen Bray (23 Tom Pugh 66, 21 Zak Emmerson (10 Jamie Cooke 55) , 9 Luca Thomas (22 Andrew Oluwabori 90), 7 Max Wright (11 Angelo Cappello 72)
Subs: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 2 Jo Cummings
1 Mark Cousins, 2 Luke O’Neill © (19 Jephte Tanga 70), 11 George Moncur, 12 Dominic Samuel (21 Nathan Odokonyero 60), 17 Toby Edser (36 Maxx Manktelow 79) 20 Alex Lankshear, 24 Mustapha Olagunju, 26 Tom Dallison, 33 Anthony Stewart, 37 Alex Aoraha (16 Franklin Domi 59), 39 Kwame Thomas
Subs: 13 Harrison Firth, 6 Louis John, 18 Ryan Carr
Referee: Stuart Morland
Goals: Thomas 12, Cooke 69
Yellow Cards: Wright 39, Stewart 50, Edser 74, Adetoro 76, Tanga 81
Red Cards: None
Attendance:1465 (31 away)
FC Halifax Town 2 Ebbsfleet United 0
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