In summery conditions at Broadhurst Park, three first-half goals were enough for FC Halifax Town to record a 3-0 victory of FC United of Manchester and move into 3rd in the league.
Dion Charles, Jordan Sinnott and Liam King all scored in the first 45 minutes to move above Salford in the table and make it two wins on the trot for Billy Heath’s men.
The game started off rather evenly, both sides seeing plenty of the ball but not testing their opposing goalkeepers. It wasn’t until the 10th minute when the game sprang into life when Halifax took the lead through a magical finish.
Denton released Dion Charles down the left wing and the on-loan Shaymen cut into the box, put the ball onto his right foot, and curled an unstoppable shot round Dave Carnell into the top right corner. A fine finish for his first goal for the club since joining from Fleetwood.
For the rest of the first half, Charles was evidently oozing with confidence. The winger constantly flew past his markers before either releasing a fellow teammate or attempting a shot on goal. A real thorn in FC United’s side for the majority of his time on the pitch.
Around seven minutes later, Denton had a great chance to double the visitors’ lead, but his goalbound header was caught well by Carnell. FC United slightly edged possession but Halifax were still dominant in terms of chances.
United’s first chance eventually came in the 21st minute. Luke Ashworth headed the ball over both Nathan Hotte and Scott Garner straight through into the path of Kieran Glynn. However, the 20-year old somehow missed the ball on the volley and Halifax escaped.
Denton believed he had put his side 2-0 up with ten minutes remaining of the first half. Charles threaded the ball through to Sinnott, whose shot was blocked only to be put into the net by the head of Denton. However, the striker was deemed to have wandered offside before planting the ball high into the net.
This disallowed goal seemed to inspire the Shaymen even more. Soon after, Halifax had doubled their lead and weren’t denied by the offside flag. Wilde burst into the box with the ball at his feet before drilling it low across the area. Denton missed the ball but Sinnott was available to flick the ball up with his first touch and then volley it into the top right corner with aplomb.
Two minutes passed and Halifax scored yet again. Charles, who had been the best player of the first half undoubtedly, was fouled on the edge of the area, and with Sinnott and King running on the same wavelength, the former Altrincham man took the freekick quickly, lifting the ball into the box where King was there to slot into the empty net.
Halifax’s approach to the second half was rather simple – keep the ball for large spells and soak up any pressure. This worked to perfection for the leaders, as FC United, just like in the first half, were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Crosses into the box were dealt with easily by Johnson, and advances through the middle were brought to an end abruptly by Scott Garner and Hotte.
Joe Logan replaced Charles in the second half and looked lively on his debut. In the 73rd minute, the Guiseley loanee cut inside the box and let loose, aiming for the top right corner, but was denied by a Chantler block.
Halifax had two great chances in the late stages to increase their dominating lead. Logan’s cross met the head of Garner, whose header was parried away well by Carnell. The United goalkeeper was called into action moments later when Denton’s close range shot after troubled him, however he was able to get down low and deny Denton his 15th league goal.
Halifax remained dominant in the dying stages of the game and saw the game out for the three points.
Next up for the Shaymen is a trip to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday afternoon.
Lineups:
FC United: 1. Carnell, 2. Williams, 3. Chantler, 4. Kay, 5. Baird (Wilkinson, 45’), 6. Ashworth, 7. Glynn (Woolfenden, 45’), 8. Lowe, 9. Gilchrist, 10. Wright (c), 11. Thomson (Adeloyi, 45’)
Subs not used: 12. Greaves, 14. Sheridan
FC Halifax Town: 1. Johnson, 2. Roberts (c), 3. Wilde, 4. Sinnott (Morgan, 77’), 5. Garner, 6. Hotte, 7. King (Moyo, 88’), 8. Lynch, 9. Denton, 10. Charles (Logan, 65’), 11. Clarke
Subs not used: 12. Drench, 15. Hone
Goals: Charles 10’, Sinnott 42’, King 44’
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Attendance: 3149
Man of the Match: Jordan Sinnott
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