FC Halifax Town will rue missed chances as York City completed an unbelievable injury time comeback to snatch all three points at the Shay this afternoon
There was just one change for Town as they came into this all-Yorkshire affair, Adan George back into the team following his suspension and he replaced Andrew Oluwabori.
York came into the game unbeaten in 11 in all competitions sitting 2nd in the league, Halifax however looked to right their wrongs after losing to Rochdale midweek. Despite the disparity in form, Halifax entered into this tie unbeaten in four against York.
After a quiet opening to the game York threatened the Halifax defence, Ollie Pearce drove well down the left wing before cutting the ball back to Marvin Armstrong but his effort was superbly saved by Sam Johnson.
Minutes later Florent Hoti picked the ball up on the halfway line before playing a perfectly weighted ball over the top of the York defence, as Billy Waters tried to latch onto the loose ball Malachi Fagen Walcott attempted to clear his lines, but his effort fell to Jamie Cooke who drove into the penalty area before firing towards Harrison Male’s near post, his powerful effort was too much too handle for the 24 year old goalkeeper and Halifax found themselves one up in the Yorkshire derby. This was Cooke’s third of the season after scoring at the Shay against both Tamworth and Barnet.
York then had a good opportunity of their own after Scott High was robbed of the ball on the edge of his own area but luckily for the Shaymen Ollie Pearce couldn’t quite get the ball under control and the home side eventually cleared their lines.
At the half an hour mark Armstrong had another golden chance to level things, Tyrese Sinclair drove once more down the left-hand side before clipping the ball to the edge of the six-yard box. Armstrong leapt well but saw his headed effort hit the post.
The first caution of the game came for York’s, Dan Batty. Some great footwork from Ryan Galvin led to him being tripped and the referee deemed this enough for a booking.
On the stroke of half-time Halifax had the opportunity to double their advantage, Adan George found some space out wide before slipping the ball into the path of Florent Hoi, who then turned before trying to find the bottom corner but his effort was deflected. Following this the referee blew for the break.
Straight after the restart Fagen Walcott looked certain to equalise for the visitors. A Dan Batty free kick was flicked on and fell kindly to the defender however he dragged his opportunity wide.
The first changes of the game came in the 55th minute. Both sides opted for one sub as Adam Adetoro replaced the injured Galvin and Armstrong made way for Ashley Nathaniel-George.
A misplaced pass from the away side saw Adam Senior drive forward, he then laid off to Hoti, who struck from distance, but his effort was claimed by Harrison Male. It was wave after wave of attack for Town as the visitors really struggled to retain possession.
York did get some relief when three more changes meant the game had to pause, Ricky Aguiar and ex Town player Billy Chadwick came on for the Minstermen while Andrew Oluwabori replaced Cooke who had just picked up an injury.
Two more bookings were then handed out in the game as Fagen Walcott and Hoti were booked respectively.
Despite playing some nice stuff in the first half York really struggled to implement their usual style on this game. Halifax were excellent in the second half, playing some of their best football all season.
Both sides turned to the bench once more with ten minutes of the game to go, Mo Fadera entered the fray for York whilst Halifax introduced Zak Emmerson and Tom Pugh.
6 Minutes were added to the end of the tie for York to find an equaliser and that they did. A corner ball found its way through to the back post in which Fagen Walcott turned home in front of more than 2000 travelling fans. Pearce picked up a booking in the aftermath of the goal.
Despite dominating for much of the game, unbelievably York found a winner. Another set piece delivery once again found its way through the Halifax defence to Pearce who converted to complete an injury time comeback for York.
After a gripping affair, the referee blew for full time and the visitors took all three points back up the road.
FC Halifax Town:
Manager Chris Millington
1 Sam Johnson ©, 3 Ryan Galvin (27 Adam Adetoro 55), 5 Adam Senior, 15 Will Smith, 2 Jo Cummings, 30 Scott High, 6 Jack Evans, 18 Florent Hoti, 29 Billy Waters (23 Tom Pugh 83), 19 Adan George (21 Zak Emmerson 78), 10 Jamie Cooke (22 Andrew Oluwabori 67)
Subs not used: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 14 Harvey Sutcliffe, 20 Jack Jenkins
York City:
Manager Adam Hinshelwood
1 Harrison Male, 2 Ryan Fallowfield (20 Ricky Aguiar 66) , 5 Callum Howe ©, 7 Tyrese Sinclair (19 Billy Chadwick 67), 8 Alex Hunt, 10 Ollie Pearce, 15 Marvin Armstrong (11 Ashley Nathaniel-George 54), 18 Dan Batty, 29 Luca Thomas (25 Mo Fadera 77), 23 Joe Felix, 28 Malachi Fagen Walcott
Subs not used: 3 Adam Crookes, 6 Paddy McLaughlin, 16 Rory Watson
Referee: Jamie O’Connor
Goals: Cooke 14, Walcott 90, Pearce 90 + 5
Yellow Cards: Batty 38, Walcott 69, Hoti 73, Pearce 90, Nathaniel-George 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 3961 (2225 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 York City 2
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