FC Halifax Town were held to a 0-0 draw vs Ebbsfleet United this evening in the Vanarama National League.
This result has delayed securing a playoff spot for the Shaymen with 2 more games to play.
Chris Millington made 4 changes to the lineup including Jack Evans in the squad. In the opening minutes, his first strike was just wide.
Adan George tried his luck from range, but his attempt was just over the bar.
The away side looked to build momentum on the other end, but striker Shaq Coulthirst’s attempt skewed off his foot and dragged wide.
A few minutes later, Jack Jenkins had a great opportunity to grab his first goal for Town, but the cross from Max Wright bounced on his knee and the chance slipped away for the midfielder.
At the half-hour mark, Tylor Golden had a free kick on the edge of the Ebbsfleet penalty area. His cross was low into the area, but George just mistimed his shot at goal.
Jenkins got involved again on the counter releasing Max Wright with a brilliant pass down the right-hand side. Wright cut the ball back inside for Jamie Cooke, but his first-time hit was just wide.
Wright had his chance to take the lead as he received a cross from Evans towards the back post but couldn’t quite reach the ball in time.
Town kept knocking on the door with Evans who found Kane Thompson-Sommers in midfield, but his strike was also over the bar.
The second half kicked off with Cooke breaking past the leets defence and was denied by a strong save by keeper’ Mark Cousins. However, referee Garreth Rhodes didn’t award Town with a corner which enraged the home fans.
The Fleet came back with a corner a few minutes later and Town keeper’ Sam Johnson comfortably caught the headed attempt at goal.
Town made their first change in the 64th minute with Andrew Oluwabori replacing Adan George.
Town had a corner from the right hand and the ball bounced to the head of Jamie Stott whose header was over the bar.
Ebbsfleet made their first change in the 67th minute with Greg Cundle replacing Bryant Bilongo.
Wright was booked in the 72nd minute after a foul in midfield.
The Shaymen made their second change as Rob Harker replaced Jenkins in the 73rd minute.
Evans proved to be a nuisance on the left-hand side as his low cross aimed for Harker, but the forward just missed the ball.
Town made their final change in the 83rd minute as Florent Hoti replaced Jamie Cooke.
Tylor Golden played a corner short to Evans who whipped in a cross or the centre of the area, but Hoti’s strike was wide.
The fourth official indicated 4 minutes of added time to set up a tense finish at the Wham Stadium.
Town continued to pile on the pressure in added time but Poleon won a corner or the away side in the dying seconds. The chance was squandered and the final whistle blew at the Wham Stadium. The game finished goalless and Town will have 2 more games to secure a playoff spot.
The Shaymen are in action on Thursday against Oldham Athletic at the SMH Group Stadium with a 7:45pm kick off.
1 Sam Johnson ©, 2 Tylor Golden, 6 Jamie Stott, 5 Adam Senior, 12 Jack Evans, 4 Luke Summerfield, 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers, 10 Jamie Cooke (18 Florent Hoti 83), 27 Adan George (22 Andrew Oluwabori 64), 28 Jack Jenkins (9 Rob Harker 74), 17 Max Wright
Subs: 8 Jack Hunter, 19 Aaron Cosgrave
1 Mark Cousins, 4 Josh Wright ©, 9 Rakish Bingham, 16 Franklin Domi (18 Billy Clifford 83), 17 Toby Edser, 22 Ben Chapman, 25 Shaq Coulthurst (14 Dominic Poleon 79), 26 Declan Skura, 27 Bryant Bilongo (15 Greg Cundle 67), 28 Tommy Fogarty, 36 Myles Kenlock
Subs: 7 Omari Sterling-James, 10 Craig Tanner
Referee: Garreth Rhodes
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Josh Wright 25, Max Wright 72, Kenlock 82
Red Cards: None
Attendance 1351 (59 away)
FC Halifax Town 0 Ebbsfleet United 0
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