FC Halifax Town came into today’s game against Oldham naming an unchanged lineup, with the only switch being Jamie Cooke returning to the squad following his sending off against Ebbsfleet.
The first 15 minutes of this local derby was evenly contested, both teams had half chances but there were no real openings as of yet. The Shaymen were having a lot of luck winning the ball in the middle of the pitch and looked dangerous on the counter at times.
The best chance of the first half an hour, came after a lovely Town move. Florent Hoti found Adan George out wide, who delivered along the ground towards Billy Waters whose shot was well smothered by Oldham keeper Matt Hudson.
Minutes later a well delivered corner found Will Smith, whose header was easily caught by Hudson.
Oldham had a brilliant chance to take the lead late in the half. Jake Caprice delivered a nice ball into ex Halifax man, Mike Fondop whose close-range header was saved brilliantly by Sam Johnston in the Town goal.
There was no additional time at the end of the first half, both teams will feel they could of scored however, the keepers have prevailed so far.
It took just two minutes into the second half for the opening goal of the game. A long throw by Reagan Ogle caused carnage in the box, in the end the ball fell kindly for Mark Kitching to score his first goal of the season in his first start of the campaign.
Dolan had the chance to double Oldhams advantage shortly after. The ball found him on the edge of the box but he dragged his effort wide of the far post.
Fondop also had a chance to extend the away sides lead but his headed effort rose high of the goal.
The first substitions of the game came just before the hour mark. Both managers opted to make one change with Otis Khan and Max Wright making there way onto the pitch.
The Shaymen equalised just after the hour mark. Substitute Wright delivered a high floating ball which Adam Senior rose above keeper Matt Hudson to nod into an empty net. That’s Seniors second of the season after his leveller against Gateshead.
Fondop believed he put the away side in front once more only to see the linesmen with his flag up, much to the dismay of the away fans behind the goal.
Halifax had the chance of the game after a well worked routine down the left channel. Jack Evans ball found Wright at the back post who unbelievably missed the target from 5 yards out.
Halifax were having a good spell of possession and this time it was Angelo Cappello who was causing issues for the Latics defence. His chipped ball picked out Cooke whose volley was well blocked.
A moment of madness from Otis Khan saw him pick up 2 yellows in the space of a minute. Oldham were down to 10 for remaining few minutes of this tie.
Bray had the final chance of the game as his bending effort was saved well by Hudson, the resulting corner was cleared and the referee blew his fulltime whistle.
Next up Halifax are at home to Eastleigh on Saturday,
Oldham Athletic
1 Matt Hudson, 2 Reagan Ogle, 3 Mark Kitching, 6 Manny Monthe, 8 Josh Lundstram (17 Jeserun Uchegbulam), 9 Mike Fondop (30 James Norwood 84), 10 Tom Conlon ©, 16 Charlie Raglan, 18 Callum Dolan (33 Otis Khan 58), 19 Dan Gardner, 20 Jake Caprice
Subs: 4 Liam Hogan, 5 Shaun Hobson, 25 Alex Reid, 35 Scott Moloney
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson, 5 Adam Senior, 15 Will Smith, 27 Adam Adetoro, 11 Angelo Cappello, 6 Jack Evans, 30 Scott High, 18 Florent Hoti (26 Owen Bray 87) 22 Andrew Oluwabori (3 Ryan Galvin 72), 19 Adan George (7 Max Wright 58), 29 Billy Waters (10 Jamie Cooke 66)
Subs: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 4 Festus Arthur, 23 Tom Pugh
Referee: Aaron Bannister
Goals: Kitching 47, Senior 62
Yellow Cards: Conlan 35, Fondop 75, Khan 81, Hoti 86, Bray 90
Red Cards: Khan 81 (2nd bookable)
Attendance 3146 (1589 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 Oldham Athletic 1
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