FC Halifax Town take a point away from Hartlepool after an even contest in the Vanarama National this afternoon
The Shaymen came into today’s game in good spirits following last weekend’s victory on the road against Ebbsfleet. Town boss Chris Millington named two debutants on the team sheet, with Billy Waters and Scott High coming into the team.
Hartlepool had the first chance of the game as the lively Anthony Mancini ran well with the ball before laying it off to Joe Grey, whose shot required tipping behind from Sam Johnson.
There were a few early corners for Hartlepool, who possessed a lot of height in their side, making it a challenging task for the Town defence.
The home side did have the better of the opening exchanges as they looked to record their first home win of the season. Halifax looked dangerous on the break, however Adan George let fly on the half hour mark, forcing Adam Smith into his first save of the day. Halifax were slowly growing into the game and looking more comfortable as the half grew on.
Some lovely play by Hartlepool led to the ball being cut back to Greg Sloggett, who couldn’t get the ball under control and saw the ball fall kindly back to Sam Johnson. Halifax then went up the other end and had a good chance of their own moments later. With Smith forced into another good stop.
Halifax’s best chance of the half came just before the break. A low cross from Senior managed to find Andrew Oluwabori at the back post, who couldn’t keep his shot down.
It was 0-0 at the break, which was probably a fair reflection of the first half. Both teams had periods of dominance, but there was no way through for either side.
Halifax started the second half very well; some nice passing moves created half chances, but there was no breakthrough yet.
The Pools first chance of the half came through Grey. His one-two with Mancini gave him a yard of space, but his shot was high and wide, much to the delight of the Town defence.
On the 60th minute mark, Hartlepool made four changes as they looked to take control of the game.
The second half was an even contest with few chances for either side; both sides were pushing with 15 minutes remaining but to no prevail.
It was a ping pong contest for large periods of the second period; neither side managed to have any real control and looked for individual brilliance to find a winner.
Substitution Adam Campbell had a chance to win it for the pool, but his volley was denied by a colossal block from Adam Adetoro. The following corner was cleared by Florent Hoti.
The home side must have thought they had won it late on. A floated cross found Gary Madine at the back post, whose header was parried by Johnson. The ball then fell to Kieron Freeman, who had the net gaping at his mercy, but strangely he decides to nod back across goal towards Campbell, who could not convert.
It was a lively final 10 minutes; however, after 4 minutes of added time, the referee brought the game to a close.
Both teams will feel a draw is a fair result in the end. There were chances at either end; however, neither side were able to put the ball in the back of the net and had to settle for a point.
The Shaymen will be back in action on Tuesday night with a home game against Oldham Athletic, 7.45pm kick-off
Match StatsHartlepool United
40 Adam Smith, 32 Kieron Freeman, 17 Billy Sass-Davies, 4 Tom Parkes, 3 David Ferguson, 16 Nicky Featherstone (7 Jack Hunter 62), 15 Greg Sloggett, 14 Nathan Sheron (10 Adam Campbell 78), 8 Anthony Mancini (18 Roshaun Mathurin 62), 12 Joe Grey (11 Luke Charman 62), 20 Mani Dieseruvwe (9 Gary Madine 63)
Subs: 31 Brad Young, 23 Emmanuel Onariase
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson, 5 Adam Senior, 15 Will Smith, 27 Adam Adetoro, 11 Angelo Cappello (3 Ryan Galvin 68), 6 Jack Evans, 30 Scott High, 18 Florent Hoti, 22 Andrew Oluwabori (26 Owen Bray 87), 19 Adan George (7 Max Wright 70), 29 Billy Waters (21 Zak Emmerson 80)
Subs: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 4 Festus Arthur, 23 Tom Pugh
Referee: John Mulligan
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Oluwabori 50, Charman 68, Sheron 75, Hunter 86, Wright 90, Sass-Davies 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 4012 (319 away)
Hartlepool United 0 FC Halifax Town 0
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