In a game of very few chances, FC Halifax Town did enough to pick all three points against Woking thanks to Angelo Cappello’s curling first half effort.
The Shaymen made four changes coming into today’s clash with Surrey based Woking. One of which being midfielder, Jack Jenkins, who entered the fray for just his second start of the campaign.
The opening exchanges of the game were cagey however the Town enjoyed more of the ball and produced a couple of lovely free flowing moves. One of which started with a surging Adam Adetoro run through the middle, he then fed the ball into who Florent Hoti who linked up superbly with Jamie Cooke before firing straight at William Jaaskelainen.
After a Woking attack broke down Cooke found space on the right flank. He then fed the ball into the path of Adam Senior, Senior then cut inside before spreading the ball to the opposite wing into the feet of Angelo Cappello. Cappello beat his man as he cut inside onto his right foot before placing the ball superbly into the far corner for his second goal of the campaign. Cappello will be delighted to get onto the scoresheet after only just returning from an injury picked up at the start of October after the first National League cup game against Newcastle U21s.
The away side did grow into the match and had their first real opening just before the half hour mark. Jack Stretton’s one two with Deon Moore gave him a sight of goal, however his speculative drive towards the near post didn’t cause Sam Johnston any problems. Moments later Hoti found space in the middle of the park and received the ball on the half turn, his powerful effort rose marginally over.
As the half went on the games action reduced, both teams probed at times however little joy was had around either sides penalty area. Adetoro saw his name go into the book just before the break for pulling an attacker back, which was the last notable action of the half.
Woking gaffer Michael Doyle was the first to look to his bench as he introduced Matty Ward five minutes into the second period, Dion Kelly-Evans was the man replaced.
Two yellows were then dished out in as many minutes for Woking, substitute Ward and defender Timi Odusina were both punished for cynical challenges.
On the hour mark Woking once more turned to the bench, Tom Leahy and Lewis Walker replaced Harry Beautyman and Deon Moore. Following this Jack Jenkins evened up the yellow card tally after a challenge in the middle of the pitch, this was his last contribution to the match as Owen Bray replaced him. Bray entered the pitch for the first time following his contract extension midweek.
Woking’s presence in the game grew substantially with twenty minutes to go. A low cross into the area courtesy of Matty Ward found Lewis Walker but his close-range volley was always rising. The Cardinals were pushing very hard for the equaliser, Walker picked up the ball and managed to make the byline before firing the ball back across the box causing a goal mouth scramble, despite the danger Halifax defended the box excellently and the ball was eventually cleared.
Jo Cummings was the next player to receive a yellow card as he chopped down his man who was looking to counter.
A break in play then allowed for one more change a piece, Alan Judge came on for the away side whilst Cappello made way for Adan George for the Shaymen.
Town’s third change saw Andrew Oluwabori enter the field of play, who almost immediately made an impact. He picked up the ball centrally before feeding Billy Waters through on goal, his snapshot was then well blocked.
Halifax managed the four minutes of additional time excellently and ultimately came away with all three points for the first time since the 19th of October.
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson ©, 27 Adam Adetoro (22 Andrew Oluwabori), 15 Will Smith, 2 Jo Cummings, 5 Adam Senior, 11 Angelo Cappello (19 Adan George 75), 23 Tom Pugh, 20 Jack Jenkins (26 Owen Bray 66), 18 Florent Hoti, 29 Billy Waters, 10 Jamie Cooke
Subs: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 21 Zak Emmerson, 24 Frankie Sinfield
Woking
22 Will Jaaskelainen, 2 Dan Moss, 5 Timi Odusina, 6 Jamie Andrews, 7 Harry Beautyman (29 Tom Leahy 62), 8 Dale Gorman ©, 14 Deon Moore (10 Lewis Walker 62) 27 Dion Kelly-Evans (17 Matty Ward 50), 15 Adam Chicksen, 19 Jack Stretton (20 Alan Judge 77), 35 Max Dyche
Subs: 28 Olly Webber, 16 Tungi Akinola, 4 Cian Harries
Referee: Garreth Rhodes
Goals: Cappello 14
Yellow Cards: Adetoro 42, Ward 59, Odusina 60, Jenkins 65, Cummings 73
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1546 (82 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 Woking 0
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