Exeter City advanced to the next round of the FA Cup after a composed 2–0 victory over FC Halifax Town at The Shay, ending the Shaymen’s run of scoring in 11 games in a row.
Despite a spirited performance from Town, the League One visitors’ clinical finishing and solid defensive shape proved the difference.
The visitors got the game underway and immediately asserted themselves. Their pressure paid off inside two minutes when Daniel Andrew struck a superb shot into the top-right corner from Reece Cole’s deep corner delivery, giving Exeter an early 1–0 lead. The goal stunned Halifax but also spurred the home crowd into life, who rallied behind their side in search of an equaliser.
Halifax tried to respond through the energy of Owen Bray and Josh Hmami, with both players working tirelessly to create openings. Shaun Hobson played a key long pass forward to Hmami, who tried to set up Will Harris, but Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth was alert to gather. Bray continued to be a lively outlet, cutting inside to test Whitworth, but his effort went straight at the keeper.
Exeter continued to look dangerous on the break. Akeel Higgins and Jayden Wareham combined well, but Halifax’s defence, marshalled by Hobson and Jevon Mills, stood firm. The visitors’ technical midfield play, led by Reece Cole and Ethan Brierley, made it difficult for Halifax to build consistent attacks.
The first half saw several stoppages for injuries, including one to Exeter’s Pierce Sweeney, but the rhythm of the game stayed in the visitors’ favour. Halifax’s best chance of the half came when Jamie Cooke whipped in a dangerous cross that just evaded everyone in the box.
As the half drew to a close, Halifax pushed for an equaliser, only to be hit by a sucker punch. In stoppage time, Higgins’ cross caused chaos in the area, with Brierley’s shot blocked but rebounding to Wareham, who calmly finished from close range to double Exeter’s advantage in the fourth minute of added time. The Grecians went into the break 2–0 up, with Halifax frustrated after a promising but wasteful first-half display.
The Shaymen began the second half with renewed energy. They nearly pulled one back when Bray’s cross found Latty-Fairweather, whose header struck the post. Halifax looked much stronger after the break, pressing higher and committing more players forward. Will Hugill and Angelo Capello were industrious in midfield, helping to break up Exeter’s rhythm.
Exeter, however, remained composed, controlling possession and slowing the tempo when needed. Their tiki-taka passing game tested the Halifax backline, but Hobson and Mills continued to defend bravely. Reece Cole and Illarmi Niskanen linked up well down the flanks, though their final passes often went astray.
Halifax continued to threaten. Jay Turner-Cooke came close after his curling effort was tipped over by Whitworth, who was excellent throughout. Manager Adam Lakeland made attacking changes on 65 minutes, introducing Owen Devonport for Cooke to add fresh legs up front.
The hosts earned a series of free kicks and corners in promising positions but couldn’t make them count. Turner-Cooke’s deliveries were threatening, yet Exeter’s defence, led by Sweeney and Fitzwater, dealt with everything that came their way. The first booking of the match went to Sweeney after a foul on Hmami, before Exeter’s Brierley also saw yellow for a late challenge on Capello.
As the match entered its closing stages, Halifax pushed forward relentlessly. Bray and Turner-Cooke combined well on the right, sending several balls into the box, but Will Harris struggled to convert under pressure. In the 87th minute, Lakeland made four substitutions in a final attempt to turn the tide. The Shaymen thought they had pulled one back when Devonport finished from close range, but the flag was raised for offside, summing up Halifax’s afternoon.
In stoppage time, Exeter nearly made it three, forcing Sam Johnson into an acrobatic save from a corner. The final whistle confirmed Exeter’s progression, while Halifax were left to reflect on a brave but ultimately fruitless performance.
The Shaymen showed heart and moments of quality, particularly in the second half, but lacked the cutting edge needed to beat a disciplined and well-drilled Exeter side. For Adam Lakeland’s men, there were positives to take despite the defeat their effort and spirit kept the home crowd engaged throughout. Exeter, meanwhile, demonstrated their class and composure, doing enough to secure a professional 2–0 victory and a place in the FA Cup Second Round.
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson ©, 4 Will Hugill (32 Oliver Smith 87), 5 Shaun Hobson (3 Adam Adetoro 87), 8 Josh Hmami (19 AJ Warburton 87), 9 Will Harris, 10 Jamie Cooke (31 Owen Devonport 65), 11 Angelo Cappello, 16 Jevon Mills, 17 Owen Bray, 27 Jay Turner-Cooke, 36 Thierry Latty-Fairweather (20 Jack Jenkins 87)
Subs: 12 Nat Ford, 29 Sean Tarima, 30 Cody Johnson
Exeter City
1 Joe Whitworth, 2 Jack McMillan, 5 Jack Fitzwater, 6 Ethan Brierley, 9 Jayden Wareham, 12 Reece Cole (27 Josh Magennis 83), 14 Ilmari Niskanen, 17 Akeel Higgins (10 Jack Aitchison 73), 21 Daniel Andrew, 26 Pierce Sweeney ©, 29 Kevin McDonald (4 Ed Turns 62)
Subs: 23 Jack Bycroft, 8 Ed Francis, 20 Luca Woodhouse, 33 Tom Dean, 34 Liam Oakes, 37 Kieran Wilson
Referee: Andrew Miller
Goals: Andrew 2, Wareham 45 + 4
Yellow Cards: Sweeney 72, Brierley 78
Red Cards: None
Attendance 1994 (310 Away)
FC Halifax Town 0 Exeter City 2
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