Ladies First Team Match Reports Compiled By Jess Speight 07/03/2010 Harrogate 3 0 - 5 Halifax 1 A superb hat-trick from Zoe Hartley sees Halifax go 4 points clear at the top of Yorkshire Division 2 after an impressive 5-0 win away against Harrogate 3. With the Halifax squad back to full strength it wasn't long after the whistle that the away side got their first goal from a short corner. A wonderful assist from Jo Love saw Hartley get her first goal of the match. Halifax were controlling play and the midfield were providing some fantastic balls to the forwards. Michaela Holroyd work tirelessly on the right wing and was awarded with Halifax's second goal. Just before the break, Harrogate managed to get a shot on goal which was saved by keeper Sharon Crawshaw but Harrogate shot on the rebound. Luckily, Ruth Bury made a fantastic goal line save to keep the home side at bay. 5 minutes into the second half Halifax were awarded a penalty flick which was converted by Hartley. The fourth goal for the away side came soon after with some great play between Claire Waldron, Margaret Bottomley and Hartley. Bottomley received the ball from Hartley and finished the goal well. Harrogate then piled the pressure on, but the Halifax defence of Alison McManus, Vicky Cain, Jess Speight and Bury dealt with the threat calmly. Halifax finished the game off nicely playing the ball out of defence, through midfield and Harltey sealed it with her third goal making the final score 5 - 0 to Halifax. 27/02/10 Halifax 3 - 2 Wakefield Wanderers Halifax's promotion bid had another boost this weekend with another win against Wakefield Wanderers. This was Halifax's 8th game unbeaten at home. The home side were on top from the whistle. Some surging runs from Michaela Holroyd and Hannah Oxley saw Halifax put the pressure on the Wakefield defence. Halifax received a penalty corner within the first 10 minutes and Margaret Bottomley scored. However, the goal was disallowed and the penalty corner was played again. Luckily for Halifax, Oxley got on the end of the rebound and put the ball in the net. Wakefield quickly responded and due to a lack of alertness in defence, the away side got their first goal. Jo Love, Zoe Hartley and Ruth Griffin worked tirelessly in midfield to produce countless chances for the Halifax forwards. Hartley came close to scoring, but a Wakefield defender used her foot on the goal line to stop the goal, therefore Halifax were awarded a penalty flick. This was converted by Hartley to give the home side the lead going into the second half. It wasn't long into the second half before Halifax got their third goal. A great hit out from Sue Kelly was collected by Claire Waldron and she put a superb cross in for Bottomley who controlled the ball calmly and scored. Wakefield didn't give up and were constantly pushing forward putting pressure on the Halifax defence. They got their second goal 15 minutes from time. Halifax managed to hold on to the end of the match to get the vital win. 20/02/10 York University 1 3 - 1 Halifax 1 Halifax came away dissapointed on Saturday with only their second loss of the season against York University. It was expected to be a tough game and the fact that 4 key players were unable to play meant it was hard work from the whistle. Sue Kelly, Charlie Moss and Lydia Presley stepped up from the 2nd XI and performed well. The first half was controlled by the university side and their quick and accurate passing proved difficult Halifax to deal with. York received 5 or 6 penalty corners but keeper Sharon Crawshaw and the defence of Jess Speight, Vicky Cain, Ruth Bury and Kelly calmy dealt with these and York were unable to convert. Halifax now picked up the pace and through Jo Love, Zoe Hartley and Ruth Griffin, started to pile the pressure on York. At the start of the second half, Halifax came out as they had finished the first half and had a few chances through Margaret Bottomley and Presley. However, York manged to break and sneak behind the Halifax defence to score their first goal. Halifax responded and broke at the other end of the pitch. Speight put a brilliant pass from midfield through to Bottomley, who picked the ball up in the 'D' and smashed to ball in the back of the net. But again, York picked up the pace and got another quick goal. Halifax had great determination and did not make it easy for York. Unluckily, another break from the home side saw them score their final goal. Halifax are still top of Division 2 but York University move upto 2nd. 06/02/10 Halifax 1st 1 - 1 Airedale 1st Halifax had to settle for a dissapointing draw this weekend in a physical game against Airedale 1. Halifax were on top throughout the first half getting many chances to score through Margaret Bottomley, Ruth Griffin and Claire Waldron. Midfield were pressing forward and when Airedale managed to break, it was calmly dealt with by the Halifax defence. After half time, Halifax came out how they had started. Some fantastic play in midfield from Sam Smith and Zoe Hartley provided Halifax with a few more chances to go ahead but were unable to convert. But then, about 15 minutes into the half, a great ball out from defence saw Waldron make a storming break down the left wing and put a fantastic cross into the 'D'. Griffin managed to receive the cross and put the ball in the back of the net. Airedale then began to take control through very aggressive play. They pushed forward from the back and managed to get a cross into the 'D'. Sharon Crawshaw made a great save for the home side but unluckily for Halifax, the bounce from the save favoured Airedale and they scored in a open goal. Halifax managed to hold on for the rest of the game and had to settle of a 1-1 draw. However, Halifax are still 3 points clear at the top of Yorkshire Division 2. 30/01/10 Wakefield 5 1 - 3 Halifax 1 Another win for the Halifax 1st XI sees them stay at the top of Division 2. Halifax expected a tough match this weekend and that's what they got. Wakefield came out strong and Halifax were on the back foot at the start of the first half. The home team put the pressure on and got a short corner within the first 10 minutes. The defence managed to keep the ball out of the net with a lot of help from keeper Sharon Crawshaw. Ruth Griffin, Sam Smith and Zoe Hartley made some surging runs forward to take the pressure off the defence. It wasn't long before a great cross from Margaret Bottomley saw Jo Love put the ball in the back of the net. Wakefield continued to push forward and just before half time after some weak marking from Halifax, Wakefield scored. After the team talk at half time, Halifax came out to win. A shuffle round in defence due to injury saw Love and captain Jess Speight help keep the Wakefield attack at bay. Halifax were now piling the pressure on the Wakefield defence. Michaela Holroyd caused problems for Wakefield, winning Halifax three penalty corners. Hartley's first time strike from top 'D' came close but Claire Waldron got the rebound and made it 2-1. Crawshaw made a vital save within the last 10 mintues and then a storming run forward Hannah Oxley saw the Wakefield defence part allowing Oxley to smash the ball into the net. Final score, 3-1. 23/01/2010 Halifax 1st 1 - 0 Doncaster 3rds Another win for the Halifax 1st XI see's them go 5 points clear at the top of Division 2 after a top of the table clash this weekend. Doncaster were 2 points behind the leaders before the game so at least a draw was needed. After an extra long Christmas break because of the weather, Halifax came out a bit slow. However, Margaret Bottomley came close to scoring in the first 5 minutes and was unlucky not to convert. It was a close contest in the first half, Doncaster had a couple of chances but the Halifax defence of Alison McManus, Vicky Cain, Ruth Bury and Jess Speight stayed strong and were able to deny the visitors. After a good team talk at half time, Halifax came into the second half like another team. Ruth Griffin, Zoe Hartley and Jo Love connected well in midfield providing some brilliant ballls through to the forwards. Halifax were on top and it wasn't long before Hartley managed to break through a solid Doncaster defence and put the ball in the net. The forwards had a few more chances with Michaela Holroyd and Claire Waldron both coming close to converting. Hannah Oxley got a superb second goal but this was disallowed by the umpires due to an offence further down the pitch. About 5 minutes from time, Doncaster came close to making the game a draw, but a great save from keeper Sharon Crawshaw denied the Doncaster attackers and Halifax got a vital win. 12/12/09 Halifax 1 5-0 Dewsbury Kirklees 1 Halifax go into the Christmas break top of Division Two with another solid win against Dewsbury Kirklees this weekend. From the whistle Halifax were on top. Hannah Oxley put the first goal in the back of the net after 5 minutes. However, Halifax were playing to Dewsbury's pace and needed to step it up a gear. After some brilliant passing through defence and midfield, Michaela Holroyde got the ball in the 'D' and with a great shot, made it 2-0 to Halifax going into half time. In the second half, Halifax played at their own pace in which Dewsbury struggled to keep up with. Zoe Hartley and Sam Smith provided some fantastic balls through to the strikers and Katie Love came close to scoring just after the break. But it was Jo Love who came up from defence to get Halifax's third goal. Dewsbury had one opportunity in the second half but this was calmly dealt with by keeper Sharon Crawshaw. Ruth Griffin deservedly got Halifax's fourth goal, her first of the season and Holroyde closed the game with her second, making the final score 5-0. Halifax are now top of Div Two with 29 points. 05/12/09 Northallerton 1 0 - 2 Halifax 1 Halifax secured another vital win this weekend in another top of the table clash away against Northallerton. After last weeks hard fought victory, Halifax were raring to go. After 3 weeks away, vice captain Vicky Cain was back in defence and captaining the side. Halifax were under pressure from the whistle, Northallerton were piling bodies forward into the Halifax half. The defence of Alison McManus, Cain, Ruth Bury and Jo Love managed to stand firm and deny any Northallerton chances. Halifax kept pushing forward and both Zoe Hartley and Margaret Bottomley came close to getting Halifax's first goal. Just before half time, Northallerton caught Halifax out with a break, but keeper Sharon Crawshaw made a fantastic save one on one against the Northallerton right wing. Going into the second half, Halifax were on top, having most of the possession. Katie Love and Claire Waldron played some fantastic balls into the 'D' but still Halifax were unable to convert. But then, with some quick passing, Zoe Hartley got on the end of a cross and put the ball in the net. Northallerton's heads dropped and it wasn't long until Halifax got their second. A great shot from Bottomley was deflected by the keeper but Hartley got on the rebound to secure Halifax's winner. 28/11/09 Selby 1 1 - 2 Halifax 1 This weekend Halifax played top of the league Selby in a top of the table clash. With key players still missing from the side, Charlie Moss stepped up from the second team and provided a great attacking option down the right wing. The game started at a high pace with both teams coming close to scoring. The Halifax defence of Alison McManus, Sam Smith, Ruth Bury and Jo Love made solid tackles and distributed the ball well to help Halifax's midfield. At half time, Halifax changed their formation to close up the gaps in midfield. Zoe Hartley, Ruth Griffin, Claire Waldron and Margaret Bottomley all pressed forward and put pressure on the Selby defence. 10 minutes into the second half Selby scored their goal from a penalty corner. Luckily, Halifax then stepped up a gear and were all over Selby. Michaela Holroyde and Hannah Oxley both came close to scoring. Halifax received a penalty corner 10 miutes from time. Jo Love came up from defence for a top of the 'D' strike and scored Halifax's first goal. This fired up the team and 4 minutes from time Hannah Oxley dribbled into the area from the left wing and put the ball in the back of the net. Every Halifax player gave 110% and fully deserved the win. 21/11/09 Halifax 1 3 - 3 Harrogate 3 After not playing for 2 weeks, Halifax were raring to go at the start of the match on Saturday against Harrogate 3. With both captain and vice captain out this week, Alison McManus stepped up to lead the team. A great start meant Halifax got their opening goal in the first 5 minutes of the game. Hannah Oxley made a storming run down the left wing and provided a brilliant cross for Michaela Holroyde finish the goal. However, Harrogate came back and got their first, which came from a controversial decision by the umpire. Halifax pressed and were on top throughout the first half. Halifax's second goal came soon after and was a brilliant top of the 'D' strike from Margaret Bottomley. Piling on the pressure, Halifax got their third just before half time. A solo effort from Zoë Hartley, dribbling quarter of the pitch and finishing, meant Halifax were convincingly winning going into the second half. Lapses in concentration in the second half meant Halifax let their lead slip. Harrogate came fighting back aggressively and got their second not long after half time. Halifax kept pushing forward but once again, Harrogate broke and got their third goal. A disappointing draw sees Halifax drop to 4th in Yorkshire Div 2 League Game - 31/10/09 Halifax 1 3 - 0 Wakefield 5 Another good win from the Halifax 1st XI puts them top of the table in Yorkshire Division 2. After a disappointing draw last week, Halifax were fired up to secure 3 points this week. Halifax started off well, pushing forward and putting a young Wakefield side under a lot of attacking pressure. It wasn't long before Hannah Oxley scored Halifax's first goal, 10 minutes into the first half. Some brilliant passing in midfield from Jo Love, Zoe Hartley and Sam Smith saw Oxley score her second goal. Hartley put a fantastic pass into the 'D' and Oxley smashed it into the back of the net. Wakefield came close a couple of times, but Halifax dominated in the first half. After half time, Wakefield came out strong but were still unable to convert. Claire Waldron and Michaela Holroyde both came close to scoring for Halifax, but it was a converted short corner that saw Jo Love getting Halifax's third goal. League Game - 17/10/09 Halifax 1 3-1 Harrogate 4 Halifax carried on their great start to the season in Division 2 with another win at home against Harrogate 4. The first goal came from Hannah Oxley in the first 10 minutes of the match. After breaking down the left win, Oxley passed the ball to Ruth Griffin at the top of the circle, who passed back to Oxley and she put the ball passed the keeper. Harrogate managed to get in behind the Halifax defence due to some weak marking and Halifax then conceeded their first goal in 4 games. At 1-1, Halifax picked up the pace and it wasn't long before Michaela Holroyde sneaked in behind the Harrogate keeper and got Halifax's second. The Halifax midfield pushed forward and pressured the Harrogate defence into making mistakes. Charlie Moss made a great cross from the right wing and again, Holroyde got on the end of it and put the ball in the back of the net. The second half did not see any goals scored. Halifax were on top throughout the game, but were unable to convert in the second half. Another good win moves Halifax to joint 2nd in Yorkshire Div 2. Cup Game 18/10/09 Halifax 1 0-2 Slazengers 1 In the first round of the Yorkshire Cup, Halifax drew Yorkshire Prem side Slazengers. After drawing 3-3 against Slazengers in a pre-season friendly, Halifax were confident coming into the match. With four regular players missing, keeper Amy Marsh, Jo and Katie Love and Sue Kelly all stepped up for Halifax 1. Slazengers played at a really high pace and the Halifax defence of Vicky Cain, Ruth Bury, Jess Speight, Alison McManus and Kelly were constantly under pressure. Keeper, Marsh, made some vital saves in the first half and kept Halifax in it. At the start of the second half, Halifax made some good breaks through Katie Love and Ruth Griffin but were unable to covert. Slazengers were given a penalty corner halfway through the second half, which was a bad call from the Slazengers umpire. From this corner, Halifax conceeded the first goal of the game. Halifax did well to hold Slazengers off for the rest of the half, but another bad decision from the Slazengers umpire meant they scored from another penalty corner. Halifax were very unlucky to lose 2-0 but played tremendously well! 10/10/09 Airedale 1 0 - 1 Halifax 1 Halifax carried on their winning streak this Saturday, with a 1-0 win away against Airedale. After beating Airedale 6-0 in a friendly before the start of the season, Halifax were confident they could win again. However, Airedale fielded a stronger team and this proved tough for the Halifax 1st XI. 20 minutes into the first half Halifax got their goal. Ruth Griffin, in her first match back from injury, made a surging run through the middle and gave a fantastic pass that opened up the Airedale defence, leaving Michaela Holroyd to put the ball in the back of the net. After half time, Airedale came back fighting but were unable to break through the Halifax defence. Ruth Bury and Vicky Cain, also both back from injury, were vital in this Halifax defence. There was also a first team debut for mother and daughter duo, Jo and Katie Love. Both performed exceptionally well and created many opportunities up for Halifax. This win puts Halifax 3rd in Division 2. 03/10/2009 STRONG winds failed to hamper Halifax who blew away their visitors from North Yorkshire at Park Lane High School. Jess Speight's side made it two wins out of three in Yorkshire Two this season with the help of two goals from Zoe Hartley. After a slow start, Claire Waldron got Halifax's first goal 10 minutes before half time. Richmond had a few chances in the first half but were denied by some great saves from Sharon Crawshaw. With the support of a home crowd, Halifax dominated in the second half. Some fantastic passing in midfield paved the way for Zoe Hartley to power through and score Halifax's second. Richmond's defence started to crack under pressure and it wasn't long before Michaela Holroyd broke and added a third. Hartley assisted young Charlie Moss to score the next goal and then completed the scoring after dribbling from the halfway line.