FC Halifax Town hosted Middlesbrough U21s in a 4-1 defeat, which saw Middlesborough youngster, Sonny Finch, score a hattrick against the Shaymen
Town enjoyed the initial stages of the game, with the home side having their share of chances from the first whistle. A notable opportunity came from the Town in the 13th minute, which saw defender Adam Adetoro play Adan George through down the left wing, with George seeing his effort toward goal just go wayward, resulting in the forward hitting the woodwork.
Despite being the livelier team, Town found themselves trailing in the 23rd minute after Middlesbrough converted their first chance of the game. The away side were fired into ascendancy after striker Ajay Matthews caught onto the end of a cross from winger Daniel Nkrumah.
Middlesborough then doubled their lead after a counterattack went in the away side’s favour, which saw defender Will Smith be up against three Middlesborough attackers. This came from a Town free kick which was defended well by the U21s. Sonny Finch scored the second of the evening in the 36th minute after running in behind Smith.
Just before the whistle for half time, Town had chances to reduce the deficit. Adetoro had an effort in the box, following on from a defended corner, which saw the Town defender fire a volley toward goal, but was handled well by young keeper, Shea Connor. A second chance followed shortly after from George, which forced Connor to make more of an effort on this occasion. George saw his shot saved at the far post by Connor, leaving the home side goalless going into the interval.
Half time saw both teams make changes, as Will Smith left the pitch for Adam Senior, whereas Middlesborough also made a substitute, bringing Jack Stott on for Finlay Cartwright.
Making an instant impact, Jack Stott saw his ball down the right-hand side set up Finch, who scored his second of the night. The attacker achieved his brace after burying an effort underneath Town goalkeeper Nathaniel Ford.
The away side almost saw their lead extended to a fourth, after Matthews hit the cross bar following from a Town defensive header. Just after the Middlesbrough chance, The Shaymen were able to get a goal of their own after Andrew Oluwabori cut it back for Owen Bray, who scored his first goal of the season.
Following from a change in tempo for the Town, the home side scored another with George heading the ball into the net after Bray’s effort from distance was blocked. Unfortunately for George, the attacker was in an offside position and the game remained 3-1.
The 81st minute saw Finch complete his hattrick, which put the away side in an even more comfortable position. His third of the evening came from a ball in behind the Town defence, which allowed the attacker to run through on goal and get the better of Ford.
Shortly after play had resumed, Finch, who is on loan at MK Dons, left the field in the 83rd minute, to complete what had been a fantastic performance at the Shay this evening, which achieved the young player Man of the Match tonight.
Town will look towards Saturday’s fixture, where they play Yeovil Town away in the league. They will look to build on from last week’s result against Woking and carry on their league form.
FC Halifax Town
12 Nathaniel Ford, 27 Adam Adetoro, 15 Will Smith (5 Adam Senior 46), 2 Jo Cummings, 23 Tom Pugh, 20 Jack Jenkins (18 Florent Hoti 56), 22 Andrew Oluwabori, 24 Frankie Sinfield (11 Angelo Cappello 55), 26 Owen Bray, 19 Adan George, 21 Zak Emmerson (29 Billy Waters 56)
Subs: 1 Sam Johnson, 10 Jamie Cooke, 25 Ted Lavelle
Middlesbrough
1 Shea Connor, 2 George Gitau, 3 George McCormick ©, 4 Luke Woolston, 5 Harley Hunt, 6 Dael Fry, 7 Sonny Finch (12 Charlie Lnnon 83), 8 Law McCabe (14 Yakou Traore 80), 9 Ajay Matthews (18 Hazeem Bakre 68), 10 Finlay Cartwright (15 Jack Scott 15), 11 Daniel Nkrumah (16 Nathan Simpson 68)
Subs: 17 Rio Patterson-Powell, 21 Nathan Fisher
Referee: James Westgate
Goals: Matthews 23, Finch 36, 49, 81 Bray 55
Yellow Cards: Gitau 63, Cummings 87
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 256
FC Halifax Town 1 Middlesbrough 4
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