FC Halifax Town took on Truro City at the Shay Stadium today after a hard fought match the Shaymen took all three points after Will Harris put town 1-0 up in the 87th minute.
The Shaymen kicked off and made an electric start, immediately taking the game to the Tinners. Owen Bray intercepted possession high up near the Truro box and tested goalkeeper Aiden Stone early on. Stone saved Brayβs effort and reacted again moments later to deny Will Hugill on the rebound.
Truro responded with an attack of their own, working the ball into the Halifax area where Harry Charsley managed to get a shot away, but Shaun Hobson produced a superb block to concede a corner. The visitors won another corner shortly after, yet Townβs defence stood firm on both occasions.
Halifax were awarded a free kick in a promising position after Freddie Issaka fouled Hugill, but the opportunity was wasted. The Shaymen nearly took the lead in the 16th minute following a sharp counter-attack from a Truro corner. Cody Johnson drove forward and slipped the ball through to Kieron Morris, who was flagged offside. The move continued, and Bray finished into the net, but the offside decision meant the goal did not stand.
The game became scrappy as both sides exchanged attacks without finding a breakthrough. Town won a corner after a strong counter led by AJ Warburton. Josh Hmami delivered the set-piece, and Adam Adetoro met it with a header, but the chance was cleared and nothing came of the follow-up corner.
Halifax pressed for an opener but lacked the decisive final pass. They remained ambitious in possession and continued to probe the Truro defence. Another free kick just outside the box, following a foul on Hmami, was swung in toward Adetoro, yet Truro cleared confidently.
A flowing move involving Hugill, Latty-Fairweather and Hmami created another opportunity. Latty-Fairweather eventually found Bray in space, but his shot was blocked by Truro captain Connor Riley-Lowe. With five minutes of the first half remaining, Bray led another counter and fed Will Harris, whose long-range strike was comfortably gathered by Stone. The referee brought the half to a close with the score level, though Halifax had looked the more dominant side.
Truro began the second half, but Halifax quickly regained control after winning a free kick. Hmami came close soon after the restart, but his effort was blocked by Tom Harrison. Town controlled the opening exchanges of the half, applying pressure and keeping Truro pinned back.
Truro made the first substitution in the 55th minute, introducing Dominic Johnson-Fisher for Issaka. Halifax continued to play neat, intricate football but struggled to break through a resolute defence. Bray had another opportunity when played in by Harris, yet he could not apply the final touch.
Both managers made changes in the 63rd minute. Truro brought on Tyler Harvey for Rekeil Pyke, while Adam Lakeland replaced Bray with Angelo Cappello, who received a warm ovation from the home crowd. Further substitutions followed, with Will Dean replacing Shaun Donnellan for Truro and David Kawa coming on for Morris.
Despite creating numerous chances, the Shaymen could not find the decisive moment. Cody Johnson surged past defenders and set up Cappello, but his effort sailed over the bar. Lakeland made further changes in the 80th minute, introducing Jack Jenkins and Jevon Mills.
The gameβs first booking went to Halifax when Adetoro was cautioned for bringing down Harvey in the 86th minute. With time running out, Town finally found the breakthrough in the 87th minute. A long ball from Sam Johnson was flicked on by Hugill to Warburton, who drove into the right side of the box before finding Harris. The forward slotted the ball into the bottom corner for his 22nd goal of the season.
Six minutes of stoppage time were added, but Halifax defended resolutely and denied Truro any late chances to secure a hard-fought victory
Match Stats
FC Halifax Town
1 Johnson (c), 3 Adetoro, 4 Hugill, 5 Hobson, 8 Hmami (20 Jenkins 81) 9 Harris, 17 Bray, (11 Cappello 64) 19 Warburton, 28 Morris (22 Kawa 72), 30 Johnson, 36 Latty-Fairweather (16 Mills 81)
Subs: 12 Ford, 33 Lavery
Truro City
24 Stone, 3 Riley-Lowe ?, 5 Harrison, 12 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 14 Hasani, 15 Jephcott, 18 Issaka, (11 Johnson-Fisher 55) 19 Pyke (9 Harvey 63), 25 Donnellan (4 Dean 72), 29 Kite, 32 Charsley
Subs: 1 Lavercombe, 2 Bell, 20 Law, 22 Stretton
Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis
Goals: Harris 87
Yellow Cards: Adetoro 84
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1224 (65 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 Truro City 0
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