FC Halifax Town 2
(Waters 60′, McDonagh 71′)
United 0
Two second half goals from The Shaymen saw United slip to their first away defeat of 2022 on Saturday.
It was former United player Billy Waters who gave the hosts the lead in the 60th minute from close range before 11 minutes later substitute Gerry McDonagh doubled the lead which was enough for the home side to take the points.
Gary Johnson named two changes to the side that ran out 3-2 winners at King’s Lynn last weekend, with Ali Omar dropping to the bench as Joe Lewis returned from suspension, and Opi Edwards made his debut in place of Chiori Johnson.
The hosts applied the pressure in the opening stages of the game, as Shaun MacDonald was alert to force away a free kick heading towards the top right corner in the 2nd minute.
United went close in the 6th minute after a free kick by Armani Little found Ben Wynter in the centre, whose header forced Sam Johnson to push the ball wide. The resulting corner by Little found Connor Lemonheigh-Evans at the near-post whose glancing header was wide. Three minutes later Little went close from a free kick from the left edge of the Halifax penalty area, his effort dipped just over the bar.
In the 24th minute Tom Lapslie picked up a loose ball before driving forward into the right edge of the Halifax box and squaring for an advancing Wright who managed to stretch and fumble a shot wide. Six minutes later United threatened again, this time with a Little free kick from midway inside the Halifax half finding Lemonheigh-Evans beyond the far post who headed the ball central for Wynter in plenty of space, but his first-time volley was over.
Gary Johnson’s men continued to pressure the Halifax defence and kept the home side in their half for the majority of the first 45 minutes, but were unable to break through before the interval.
In the 48th minute Jamie Thomas drilled an effort from the right edge of the box which forced MacDonald to palm the ball out from the near post before the resulting corner was played short and the Halifax attack ended with Matty Warburton firing over from outside the box.
United went close to breaking the deadlock on 54 minutes after Little and Lemonheigh-Evans combined to drive up the left before Stephen Wearne squared a low ball for Danny Wright who got a shot away but was denied by the left hand post. Moments later it was the hosts who broke down the right hand touchline with their counter attack ending with Warburton firing over.
The home side threatened in the 59th minute when a half-cleared corner found Warburton in the centre whose chipped ball found a blue shirt at the far post, with MacDonald producing an excellent save to deny Halifax. However one minute later it was the hosts who took the lead after a low cross into the box found Waters who was able to slot into the bottom right corner from close range.
A lot of end to end play pursued before the hosts doubled the advantage on 71 minutes. The free kick from midway was sent to the right hand side of the box before it was headed central for substitute McDonagh at the near post to head home.
Despite the two goal deficit Gary Johnson’s men continued to push but were unable to capitalise from some great build up play, and the game eventually ended 2-0.
United now travel back to Plainmoor for next weeks double header, with the side no doubt looking to bounce straight back from this afternoon’s defeat at the hands of third placed FC Halifax Town.
FC Halifax Town: 1. Sam Johnson, 3. Jack Senior, 4. Luke Summerfield (17. Kian Spence 44′), 6. Tom Bradbury, 10. Matt Warburton, 11. Billy Waters, 16. Jamie Thomas (15. Derry McDonagh 68′), 21. Tyrell Warren, 25. Jordan Slew (27. Zak Dearnley 87′), 26. Martin Woods, 31. Niall Maher
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Jesse Debrah, 20. Harvey Gilmour.
Yellow Card: Warren 29′
United: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 4. Tom Lapslie, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 9. Danny Wright (30. Dan Holman 80′), 10. Armani Little (c), 12. Stephen Wearne (14. Chiori Johnson 82′), 15. Stephen Duke-McKenna, 21. Dean Moxey, 27. Opi Edwards (3. Dan Martin 67′), 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead, 5. Ali Omar.
Yellow Cards: Little 56′, Lapslie 58′, Lewis 84′
Attendance: 2192 (217 away)