Six second half Halifax goals see the Shaymen whitewash League Two Morecambe 6-2.
Goals from Matty Kosylo, Josh MacDonald, Tom Denton, Scott Garner and a stunning brace from Richard Peniket capped off a fantastic performance for the home side, who continue their unbeaten preseason.
Peniket and Kosylo stole the show, as the duo took it in turns to cause serious problems for the Shrimp’s defence and both getting their names on the score-sheet.
It was however Morecambe who took the lead with their first chance of the afternoon. A long ball from midfield saw Paul Mullin beat the offside trap and race through on goal with Town defender Daniel Hone the only man in hot pursuit. Mullin, formerly of Huddersfield Town, took his chance calmly and fired past Steven Drench.
Kosylo has impressed with almost every touch during his first preseason at the MBi Shay Stadium and he continued to get supporters off their seats in the early stages this afternoon. A twisting run that took several Morecambe players out of the game ended with a searching cross skimming the far post and behind for a goal kick.
Striker, Jordan Burrow was adamant last week that new manager Billy Heath would not use aerial threat Denton to play “hoof-ball Football” and instead look to use his height in more dangerous areas of the pitch. His promise was clearly kept throughout the afternoon, as the target-man kept finding himself in dangerous areas, but failed to trouble Danjiel Nizic in goal for Morecambe.
Halifax undoubtedly grew into the game. Connor Hughes regularly caused the Shrimps problems cutting in from the left wing. His thirty-yard thunderbolt was the closest the Shaymen game to finding the visitors net in the first half when his shot whistled inches over the bar.
Kosylo began the second period even more dangerously than he ended the first and got Halifax back level almost instantly. Town’s early second half corner was not cleared by the Morecambe defence and fell onto the head of Kosylo who improvised brilliant to twist and head the ball into the net.
The lead came just five minutes later in a dramatic beginning to the half. Captain, Liam King’s cross was headed away but only as far MacDonald who took one touch and fired his thumping effort low and into the far bottom corner.
Straight up the other end and the Shrimps were level. Mullin again the man alone in front of the goal, this time to flick the ball past Steven Drench with his head. Momentarily, Morecambe were back in the game.
Halifax’s early flickers of quality were now plain to see at all times. Peniket’s reintroduction after being given a slightly longer half time break by Billy Heath saw him re-enter the field a different man. The striker did not give the Morecambe defence a moment to clear as he forced two acrobatic saves from Nizic’s strong left arm.
Despite an impressive preseason, Denton was yet to find the net for the Shaymen, something that changed just after the hour mark. Denton, who appeared to be down on the floor, was able to somehow pounce on a rebound to lob several Morecambe defenders in spectacular style. Half an hour left to play and Halifax had made it four!
Peniket’s brilliant performance was rewarded twice as the game came to a close.
First, Josh MacDonald’s brilliant wide run and pull back found Peniket waiting on the penalty spot to drive his shot hard under Nizic’s body and into the back of the net.
Next, Peniket shifted the ball onto his right foot and, with one look, powered an effort into the far bottom corner from twenty-five yards. Halifax had six, and were four goals clear for League side, Morecambe.
“We want seven!” was the chanted enjoyed by all 625 inside the MBi Shay Stadium as the final whistle blew. Halifax continue their unbeaten preseason.
The Shaymen will next face Matlock Town away on Tuesday evening (7.45pm) before hosting Acrington Stanley at he MBi Shay Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
Man of the Match: Richard Peniket
Halifax XI:Drench (GK); Moyo, Hone, Garner, Wilde; Kosylo, King ©, Hotte, Hughes; Denton, Peniket.
Substitutes: Nicholson (70), Burrow (45), Sinnot (63), Hibbs (68), Roberts (45), MacDonald (45), Harrison, Khan (89), Baldwin (81), Brown.
Goalscorers: Kosylo (46), MacDonald (52), Garner (57), Denton (67) and Peniket (82) & (88)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Morecambe XI:Nizic (GK); Wakefield, Conlan, Worley, Winnard, Kenyon ©, Wildig, Ellison, Molyneux, Carson, Mullin.
Substitutes: Roche, Edwards (60), McGowan (69), Rose, Stockton (69), Fleming (60), McDonald, Barkhuizen.
Goalscorers: Mullin (6) & (55)
Yellow Cards: Molyneux (80)
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 625
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