It was The Urchins’ first time playing at The Shay Stadium, but their first visit ended in a 3-0 defeat to The Shaymen. Halifax grew into the game after a difficult opening, taking the lead just before half time before controlling the second half and adding two more goals to secure a comfortable victory.
Town got the game started at The Shay Stadium, but The Urchins were the ones who applied the pressure from the start. The Shaymen defended well, but after five minutes, Hornchurch looked the stronger team, almost finding themselves in a one-on-one situation before Will Flint denied the opportunity with a well-timed tackle.
Hornchurch had the first true chance of the game after 10 minutes, but Josh Walker’s shot was straight into True Grant’s hands.
After 20 minutes, Hornchurch had taken their foot off the gas, allowing The Shaymen to find their feet. Neither side had control of the game, with both teams struggling to create clear opportunities. Town had another chance in the 22nd minute, but Tayt Trusty’s shot was held onto by Arthur Nasta.
Zak Gilsenan had some fun in the 26th minute, receiving the ball in the middle of the field and making a daring run towards goal. The midfielder made his way past three of The Urchins before he was eventually stopped by Jack Powell.
The Shaymen’s first corner came in the 27th minute. It was taken short towards Ben Tollitt, who found some space and decided to go for goal, but the midfielder’s attempt was blocked by The Urchins’ defence.
Town won a free kick just before the 40th minute in a decent position after a foul on Tollitt. Gilsenan found a decent angle and went for goal from the free kick, but his attempt was punched away by Arthur Nasta. The ball landed at Ben Tollitt’s feet, allowing him to get two shots away, but neither managed to test Hornchurch’s number one.
The Shaymen got the opener just before half time after finding heaps of space in The Urchins’ half. Connor Carty received the ball while making a determined run. The forward lured the keeper out before driving a low ball across the box to Zak Gilsenan, who shot first time. His effort deflected off Connor Douglas before finding its way into the back of the net.
The Urchins got the second half started, but it was The Shaymen who were in control of the game, creating more chances in the first five minutes of the second half than they had in the entire first half.
The Shaymen almost doubled their lead in the 56th minute after a well-timed through ball from Cody Johnson found Zak Gilsenan. Gilsenan charged forward with Carty in support before finding the forward, who shot first time. However, Nasta charged out of his net to prevent Carty from getting The Shaymen’s second.
Hornchurch made the first changes of the game in the 58th minute, with Henry Hearn replacing Jack Powell.
The Shaymen got their second in the 64th minute after some wonderful build-up play from Max Bardell and Gilsenan. Gilsenan then found Ben Tollitt in space. After receiving the ball, Tollitt took a touch before firing into the bottom-left corner, finally getting his goal and doubling The Shaymen’s lead.
The Shaymen made their first substitution in the 74th minute, with Will Hugill coming on for Gilsenan.
The first booking of the game was awarded to Hornchurch, with Miles Bracking receiving a yellow card in the 75th minute.
Hornchurch then made another substitution in the 76th minute, with Charlie Pegrum replacing Aaron Rowe. They made even more changes in the 80th minute, with Asher Yearwood and Bobby Kelman coming on for Josh Walker and Henry Sandat.
Tayt Trusty made it 3-0 with a wonder goal from range in the 86th minute. The midfielder received the ball from a clearance before deciding to go for a first-time volley. The ball rifled into the bottom-left corner, leaving The Urchins’ number one in shock and tripling The Shaymen’s lead.
The Shaymen made more changes in the 87th minute, with Owen Bray and Amari Morgan-Smith replacing Conor Carty and Connor Douglas.
Arian Allen and Cruz Allen were brought on in the 90th minute, replacing Trusty and Tollitt, with both players coming off to a standing ovation.
The final whistle confirmed a convincing 3-0 victory for The Shaymen. After being put under pressure early on, Halifax showed their quality as the game went on, with Gilsenan’s first-half goal giving them the platform to take control. Tollitt and Trusty then added two more in the second half to secure a comfortable win and send The Urchins home empty-handed.
Match Stats
Lineup- 33 True Grant, 2 Max Bardell, 8 Will Flint, 5 Shaune Hobson, 3 Rheem Conte, 30 Cody Johnson©, 20 Tayt Trusty (27 Cruz Allen 91), 11 Connor Douglas (7 Owen Bray 86), 10 Zak Gilsenan ( 10 Zak Gilsenan 74), 17 Ben Tollitt ( 27 Arian Allen 91), 9 Connor Carty (14 Amari Morgan Smith 86).
Subs- 1 Sam Johnson, 16 Deniche Hill,
Hornchurch
Lineup- 1 Arthur Nasta, 3 Ryan Inniss, 4 Jack Powell ( 9 Herny Hearn 59), 7 Josh Walker (24 Bobby Kelman) , 8 Tom Wraight©, 11 Henry Sandat (17 Asher Yearwood), 12 Joe Kizzi, 19 Sam Ling, 22 Frankie Edwards, 25 Miles Backing, 26 Aaron Rowe ( 14 Charlie Peagrum 76).
Subs- 13 Rhys Bryne, 6 Tom Dallison, 15 Nathan Ferguson
Goals- Connor Douglas 45, Ben Tollitt 64, Tayt Trusty 85
Yellow Cards- Miles Backing 75
Red Cards
Attendance 1310 (84 away)
FC Halifax Town 3-0 Hornchurch
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