FC Halifax Town narrowly lost 2-1 in the opening National League cup tie against Newcastle United U21s
There were only four survivors in tonight’s team from Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wealdstone. Jo Cummings, Ryan Galvin, Owen Bray and Andrew Oluwabori all retained their places in the eleven to face Newcastle U21s in the first game of the new National League Cup.
The opening stages of the game consisted of lots of Newcastle keeping the ball without much danger. That was until the 13th minute when an Alfie Harrison ball in found Jay Turner-Cooke in the box, but Nathaniel Ford was out quickly to save on his debut.
Turner-Cooke then had the opportunity to send a dangerous free kick goalwards, but his effort rose high off the bar.
Halifax went 1-0 up just before the twenty-minute mark. Aidan Harris’ clearance hit Andrew Oluwabori, which found its way into the empty net.
The Shaymen nearly doubled their lead just minutes after their first. Aaron Cosgrave’s low ball found Adan George who could only poke wide of the post.
Tom Pugh went into the book on the 26th minute mark after a few cynical fouls.
Cosgrave had the game’s next chance as his curling effort was neatly saved by Aidan Harris in the Toon net. George then took aim from a similar distance, but his effort was wide.
The home side received their second booking of the game just before halftime. Ryan Galvin caught Harrison late as the winger tried to turn. This was the last action of the half as the Shaymen went into the break a goal to the good.
From the restart, Halifax made a change, with Angelo Cappello replacing Ryan Galvin.
The first shot of the second half came via Pugh. Bray laid the ball off nicely to his midfield counterpart, but Pugh couldn’t get enough behind the shot, and it was a routine save for the keeper.
Cooke’s fizzing shot minutes later was more of a challenge for Harris, in the away side’s net. His run ended with a low shot to the keeper’s right which he parried away.
Just before the hour mark, Newcastle leveled things up. Turner-Cook’s through ball found Johnny Emerson, who finished superbly across goal.
Just after the goal, the young Newcastle side made a double change. Alfie Harrison and the experienced Isaac Hayden made way for Anthony Munda and Trevan Sanusi.
Sanusi made an instant impact as his quick feet allowed him to get a shot away which took a deflection and trickled wide.
Newcastle then had another chance courtesy of Turner-Cooke. He skipped past a man on the edge of the area before unleashing a strike towards Ford’s near post, but he could only the side netting. Newcastle started to grow into the game in the second half, creating more chances and causing the Shaymen defense more issues.
It was Halifax’s turn to turn the pressure on now as Cappello, won the ball high up the pitch, he slotted in Cooke whose powerful effort was well saved by Harris.
Newcastle did take the lead on the 70th minute mark. A corner found Ben Parkinson free in the box whose header came off the underside of the woodwork before trickling over the goal line.
Once again, the away side made a double change with Josh Donaldson and James Huntley entering the pitch in place of Travis Hernes and Johnny Emerson.
Festus Arthur was booked 15 minutes from time for a trip on a Newcastle player.
One more substitute for each side saw Ellis Stanton replace Ben Parkinson and Frankie Sinfield enter the fray in place of Aaron Cosgrave.
Just five minutes from time, a scuffle saw four cards handed out. Turner-Cooke, Frankie Sinfield and Festus Arthur picked up bookings. This saw Arthur dismissed following his earlier challenge. A member of the Newcastle staff also saw yellow following protests.
Five minutes of additional time was played out at the end of the cup tie but Newcastle did take the win in the National League cup opening game.
Town will next face Tamworth at home on Saturday, 3pm kick-off
Fc Halifax Town:
12 Nathaniel Ford, 14 Harvey Sutcliffe, 2 Jo Cummings, 4 Festus Arthur, 3 Ryan Galvin (11 Angelo Cappello 46 / Will Smith 90), 23 Tom Pugh, 26 Owen Bray, 22 Andrew Oluwabori, 9 Aaron Cosgrave (24 Frankie Sinfield 80), 19 Adan George, 10 Jamie Cooke
Subs; 1 Sam Johnson, 17 Jimiel Chikukwa, 18 Florent Hoti, 25 Ted Lavelle
Newcastle United U21s
1 Aidan Harris, 2 Leo Shahar, 3 Dylan Charlton, 4 Isaac Hayden (16 Anthony Munda 60), 5 Cathal Heffernan, 6 Charlie McArthur, 7 Alfie Harrison (17 Trevan Sanusi 60), 8 Travis Hernes (15 James Huntley 71), 9 Ben Parkinson (14 Ellis Stanton 80) 10 Jay Turner-Cooke, 11 Johnny Emerson (18 Josh Donaldson 71)
Subs: 12 Ciaran Thompson, 13 Adrian Janusz
Referee: Michael Crusham
Goals: Oluwabori 17, Emerson 59, Parkinson 71
Yellow Cards: Pugh 25, Galvin 44, Arthur 73, Sinfield 87, Turner-Cooke 87
Red Cards: Arthur 87
Attendance: 292
FC Halifax Town 1 Newcastle United U21s 2
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