Match Reports Compiled By:- Carl Barnfather

York Uni III 2 – 2 Halifax V

Halifax fifth team started the new year with an exceptional result against division 10 leaders who had an 
unbeaten home record scoring 37 goals and only conceding 3. this was a game which statistically was a 
non starter but after an initial slow start on the back foot for the first ten minutes which saw James Smith 
pull out a spectacular save from a drag flicked ball and then chased the ball to the edge of the D to clear 
the ball to the sideline off the end of a York payers stick. Halifax then lifted their heads and pushed forward
and were rewarded with a short corner which Paul Newton put away with an excellent shot. 

York came back immediately with a fast and accurate movement blasting a shot on target which Smithy 
managed to deflect wide of goal with his outstretched leg. Smithy continued to defend the goal pulling off 
a string of great saves two from drag flicks but he never got phased and kept his defence tight as York 
persisted with several attacks as Halifax held fast till half time.

York came out fast in the second half but Gordon Hines Dominated the mid field with Stephen Lapwood 
and created a great chance for Andy Crabtree only to see the keeper push the ball wide. The youngsters 
in the team battled well Ben Greenwood Josh Sutcliffe and Tim Jones never allowed the opposition to 
intimidate them and created several great moves down the wing. Twelve minutes into the second half 
York managed to pull back an equaliser. The game was very evenly matched at this point and both 
keepers were called upon several times. With five minutes to go York made their first real mistake with a 
hit across their D not noticing Andy Crabtree lurking just out of sight who sprinted to the ball and stole it 
from Yorks defender and pushed it under the Keeper with lightning speed. With one minute to time 
signalled York pushed forward and secured an aftertime short corner which was played out and York 
managed to scrape in the equaliser.  James Smith managed to save 17 shots that were on target which 
was a personal best for the young keeper.