FC Halifax Town suffered their fifth defeat of the season at the hands of high flying Wrexham, as Town fell to a 3-1 away loss at The Racecourse Ground.
A brilliant strike from Javan Vidal and a fourth goal of the season for Dominic Vose handed The Dragons a two goal lead, before Jordan Burrow headed home his fifth goal of the season just minutes later to pull Town right back into the game.
However the quality of the home side made the difference, as they re-doubled their lead when Wes York was allowed to turn and fire in the third, which ultimately condemned The Shaymen to another frustrating defeat.
The opening minutes were cagey with both sides having a fair amount of possession, but neither creating any real chances. Town looked well organised and threatened going forward, but struggled to break through Wrexham’s resolute side.
Scott McManus found Shaun Tuton with a whipped ball in, but Tuton was unable to control his header which flew wide, before the home side saw Connor Jennings’ low strike well saved by Matty Glennon.
However the deadlock was finally broken in the eighth minute when a superb shot from Javan Vidal flew into the back of the net, leaving Glennon with no chance. The Dragons lead was doubled in the 24th minute as Dominic Vose saw his low drive from the edge of the area creep into the far corner.
The reply couldn’t have been much better from the Shaymen, who pulled one back almost instantly when Burrow rose highest to meet an excellent cross by Tuton, before burying a header home. Burrow’s fifth goal of the season lifted Town, who went in search of an equaliser, but could only find the side netting when their top scorer got a shot away on the angle.
Matty Glennon has been called upon many times this season, and once again the Shaymen had their ‘keeper to thank for stopping them from going further behind. Having already made a number of important saves, Glennon was forced to parry an effort from Robbie Evans just before the break.
Neil Aspin rang the changes at half time as he looked to change the face of the game for Town, as both Sam Walker and Connor Hughes came on to replace Graham Hutchison and Josh MacDonald. Having made a bright initial start to the second half, Halifax were once again made to pay for some lacklustre defending.
As Wrexham advanced over half way, the ball eventually came to the feet of York, who was given too much time and space to get his shot away, which found its way into the far corner. With the home side in the ascendency, there were plenty of chances to further extend their lead, with Adriano Moke finding space for a miss hit shot, before York posed a threat with a solo run and strike that flew only just wide.
Aspin rolled the dice once more by replacing Jake Hibbs with debutant CJ Hamilton, the young midfielder making the match day squad having only just signed from Sheffield United on a month’s loan.
With Town again struggling to break through a well organised and stubborn Wrexham, the home side continued to dominate as the match petered out in the final twenty minutes. Adam Smith came on to face his former club for the first time in Wrexham colours, but couldn’t get a shot away after he had charged into the box.
With The Shaymen unable to create any clear cut chances in the final stages, Wrexham were happy to let the clock tick down to run out 3-1
winners, as Town continue their search for a first victory of the campaign.
Man of the Match: Jordan Burrow
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