It ended all square at the Shay Stadium between FC Halifax Town and Southend United in game week three in the Vanarama National League.
Town managed to pick up their first point of the season, after suffering defeat on the opening day of the season against Barnet and in week two against Torquay United.
Story of the match
It was a quiet opening quarter of an hour in the pouring West Yorkshire rain, with just two corners the main talking points in that period of time, though both taken by Luke Summerfield and Harvey Gilmour led to no real danger to Steve Arnold in the Southend goal.
The game sprung to life just after 15 minutes, as Nathan Ralph’s weaving run on the left-hand side led to a penalty as he was tripped up by Town’s Sam Minihan.
Infront of the noisy South stand, winger Callum Powell stepped up for the visitors however, his right-footed penalty was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Sam Johnson, getting low down to his right, and strongly pushing it out for a corner.
Johnson’s first involvement in the game was met by a roar from the crowd, as they lifted the levels of their side, and it was Town’s turn next to go close.
Jack Senior’s low cross towards the near post found its way to attacking midfielder Gilmour, but his attempt was saved by Arnold.
The Shaymen took it up a notch, with a header at the back post from Tom Clarke finding the side netting.
Mani Dieseruvwe ran the channels all night long, posing a handful for the Southend defence.
The striker energetically latched on to goalkeeper Arnold’s loose ball, however, his effort, from inside the 18-yard box, was saved by the Southend number one.
Dan Mooney acted as a bright spark for the Shrimpers throughout the opening 45, forcing Johnson into a save.
The last chance of the first half fell to Town’s Jordan Slew, with his attempt going narrowly wide.
Town boss Chris Millington sent winger Sam Smart on at half-time, with the number 11 creating a few half chances for the Blue and White Army, but nothing too difficult for the Southend goalkeeper.
As the stadium announcer announced a crowd of 1,943 on the hour mark, including an away following of 246, Slew forced Arnold into yet another save, with his attempt seemingly creeping into the bottom left corner.
The draw leaves us bottom of the table after three games, with Southend now on two points since the start of the 2022/23 campaign. The visitors are in 20th place.
Next up for Town is Wealdstone away on Saturday.
FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 24 Sam Minihan (19 Jamie Cooke 84), 3 Jack Senior, 15 Tom Clarke, 5 Jesse Debrah, 16 Jordan Keane (17 Rob Harker 77), 4 Luke Summerfield, 20 Harvey Gilmour, 9 Mani Dieseruvwe, 21 Milli All (11 Sam Smart 46)i, 25 Jordan Slew
Subs: 2 Tylor Golden, 14 Jack Hunter
Southend United:
1 Steve Arnold, 3 Nathan Ralph ©, 4 Louis Lomas, 5 Shaun Hobson, 6 Ollie Kensdale, 10 Dan Mooney (7 Jack Bridge 72), 17 Cav Miley, 18 Wesley Fonguck (28 Oli Coker 54), 19 Chris Wreh, 27 Jaden Crowhurst, 11 Callum Powell (14 Jack Wood 90)
Subs: 30 Collin Andeng-Ndi, 35 Henry Sandat
Referee: Elliott Swallow
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Senior 32, Crowhurst 45, Miley 67, Gilmour 87
Red Cards:
Attendance: 1946 (246 away)
FC Halifax Town 0 Southend United 0
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