21/1/12 Halifax 3rds 2 Boston Spa 4ths 2 Halifax promotion dreams took a knock with a surprise home stalemate against bottom club Boston Spa. It was especially frustrating and surprising since Fax had achieved double figures in the corresponding away fixture. The fact that Boston Spa second string did not have a fixture and only three of the adults in the away line up were familiar faces compounded the home sides feeling of frustration. To their credit the league leaders showed resilience in maintaining their unbeaten league record and had to twice come from behind despite bossing the game for long periods. Lending starlet Matthew Bairstow dropped to the fourth team in a calculated gamble with both teams only being able to field the minimum 11 players. Nigel Bower's prematch comment of concern was quickly confirmed when Spa set off from the off to pin Halifax in their own half. The vistors play was sharp and incisive and only great keeping from James Smith and tight marking from Matt Ward, Nick Barker and Bryn Hans kept the home goal intact. Chris Reynolds at sweeper tidied up well and began to find his midfield and forwards with hard pentrative passes. Paul Mayes linked well with Lee Chapman, John Horsley and Kristian Mayland to make the game a more open contest. Just when Halifax appeared to have weathered the initial onslaught, Spa scored against the run of play. Undeterred Fax rallied and gained a number of short corners. The inclement weather made it hard to grip wet sticks with cold hands and the normal effiecient routines at set pieces were malfunctioning badly. A piece of good fortune did come the home sides way at one of the set pieces when Kristian Mayland miss hit a reverse stick strike into the corner of the goal. Halifax were eager to improve in the second half but were finding the effects of a six week match break difficult. Passes were not as crisp and effective as usual and the rustiness was only slowly disappearing from play. Dave Manning and Nigel Bowers became more influential in the second period and Spa were forced onto the back foot. Further short corners were gained by the home side but were wasted despite a variety of options being utilised. Spa were still a threat on the break and on more than one occasion James Smith came to the league leader's rescue. The speed and sharpness of many of the visitors was far ahead of what you would normally expect from a team in Division 6 North. From a breakdown in one of Halifax's many attacks, Spa broke well. A forward rode three tackles and fired the ball into the net. It was a body blow, but in the face of adversity Halifax fought back well. Another failed short corner strike was redeemed by arch poacher John Horsley and Halifax strove for the winner. The visiting goalkeeper was having an impressive game and he capped a tremendous performance with a gloved save minutes before time from Bryn Hans. It was cruel on the home side and overall they deserved better than a draw. It could have been worse and at least the unbeaten record still stands. 03/12/11 Halifax 3rds 3 Halifax 4ths 0 The 3rds cemented their place at the head of the division with an expected and deserved victory, but the real winners on another blustery and inclement day weather wise were many of the fourth team. The laegue leaders were pushed all the way by the lower side and had it not been for some clinical finishing, outstanding goalkeeping and flashes of individual magic the result could have been different. Many of the 3rd team felt that the fourth team were the next best team they had faced this ahlf of the season apart form York University. It became apparent right from the off that this was going to be stern test for Dave Manning's team. Paul Crowther, Mike Dransfield and Simon Meredith pressed hard in midfield and it was only the brilliance of youngster Matthew Bairstow that gave the 3rds the edge in attack. His awareness and skill left defenders in his wake time after time. Whilst inroads were made into the fourths half, veteran Rob Keene was having the game of his life. Looking athletic and very mobile he snubbed out attack after attack with precise tackles and astute covering. The thirds were beginning to mount sustained pressure without ever being totally in control. from their first short corner they broke the deadlock. Nigel Bowers elected to feed Lee Chapman and he drilled the ball into the backboards. The 3rds settled more into a passing rhythm and achieved neat triangles and one twos. Matthew Ward was supporting the attack really well down the right flank and Chris Reynolds and Nick Barker were proving a formidable barrier in defence and a springboard for attack with penetrative passes. A second flash of clinical finishing saw Kristian Mayland extend the elad with a sharp shot from another short corner. The game was certainly not won at this juncture and the higher side were urged not to relax in the half time team talk. They had been kept in the ascendancy with some fine saves by stopper James Smith when only a single goal ahead and any lapse in concentration in the second period was likely to be costly. Jamie Maddocks continued to show his quality and composure in the second period and Andy Turner was probbing well down the right flank for the 4ths. On a number of occasions a better final pass would have caused problems for the league leaders. Trevor Love was also having a great match. He marked well and was even able to release left flank player Paul Mayes on dangerous runs into the opposing half. A combination from these two found Kristian Mayland well outside the 25. He motored forward, beat two defenders and smashed the ball into the net. It was quite a sublime way to put the game out of reach of the fourths. As the weather deteriorated in the second half players battled to maintain the quality of play. To the credit of both sides the match was a showpiece that the club should be proud of. Not only were there some fine individual eprformances, but the spirit of the game remained highly competitive but very fair and sporting. With results going their way, the thirds have a 3 point cushion over Bradley and a five point lead over Huddersfield. A cup and league double still beckons. 26/11/11 Bradley 0 Halifax 3rds 3 Halifax took a giant step towards promotion from Division 6 North with an emphatic and fully justified win against near neighbours Bradley. Apart from goal difference, both teams started the match with identical records. It did not take long before Halifax showed that the styles and quality of play were miles apart. Whereas the visitors passed the ball about smoothly, the home team relied on long hard hit passes and were very abrasive in tackling. They only had one player with a high level of skill and he soon became a marked man by Halifax midfield. The weather conditions were attrocious; the pitch bumpy and in a poor state of repair ; the play was fragmented with the ball running considerable distances because of an unprotected perimeter. Halifax supporters with spare match balls solved the third problem and the whole team set about overcoming the first two challenges. Halifax soon built up a head of steam with Matty Bairstow once again prominent, this time from right midfield. At their first short corner Haliax took the lead. The tried and tested routine of Bowers slipping the ball to skipper Dave Manning saw the ball crashing into the backboards once again. Worse was soon to follow for Bradley when a right wing forray from Dave Manning resulted in a cross that was deftly touched home by top scorer John Horsley using his reverse stick to good effect. Play was predominantly in Bradley's half as a result of successful pressing from Paul Mayes, Kristian Mayland, Horsley and Bowers. The home side could only manage sporadic attacks and these were easily quelled by man of the match Nick Barker, Lee Chapman, Trevor Love and sweeper Chris Reynolds. The third goal, scored by the ever improving Paul Mayes gave Halifax significant breathing space and really took the wind out of Bradley's sails. Paul Mayes latched on to a through ball and through sheer persistence and determination somehow managed to force the ball over the goal line. The weather was deteriorating as the match progressed and the rain became an influential factor. Too many players were unable to grip sticks properly due to the cold and wet and the quality of play suffered. Halifax's passing game went AWOL and Bradley became ill disciplined and heavy handed. Following a number of indescretions the home side's captain was yellow carded for rough play. Unfortunately Halifax were unable to capitalise on the man up but continued to maintain an overal ascendancy. Upon returning to the fray the home skipper kicked out at Chris Reynolds and was lucky to stay on the pitch. Had the home umpire seen the incident the player would have been red carded. Matthew Ward was one of the few shining lights in a dull second half, and throughout the whole match stopper James Smith only had one save to make. The victory opens up a three point gap and with York entertaining Huddersfield 5ths next week and Halifax playing their fourth string, the league leaders have an opportunity of stretching their lead in the division. YHA MENS LEAGUE CUP D 2011-2012 19/11/11 Halifax 3rds 5 Huddersfield 4ths 1 Halifax’s impressive form continued with a convincing win that means a cup and league double are still within their grasp. Having trounced the visitors earlier in the season in a league match, Fax were aware that for the visitors the only way was up. Dragons started the match in a much more positive fashion and showed they meant business. They marked well and held possession much more effectively than before. Gradually though Halifax asserted their authority with balanced and penetrative play. The Dragon’s tactic of marking Dave Manning and Nigel Bowers man for man had not really worked as both Lee Chapman and Paul Mayes took on the added responsibility of switching play. The new twin strike partnership of starlets Matthew Bairstow and Kristian Mayland were running well off the ball and creating many problems for the Huddersfield defenders. Huddersfield were not prepared to lie down and were as eager as Halifax to take a place in the cup final. Their midfield worked hard to contain the Fax midfield quartet and their defenders made their presence felt with some well timed challenges. There were times in the first period when they even managed to break free of the close attentions of Chris Reynolds, Bryn Hans, Nick Barker and Matthew Ward only to find stopper James Smith in sparkling form. Some brave and skilful stops, from the home keeper gave Halifax the platform to make forays down the other end. The game needed a piece of individual magic to break the stalemate and this was provided in abundance by Matthew Bairstow. He used his skill, awareness and impishness to create openings for himself that he finished off with aplomb. In a short space of time Huddersfield went from parity to trailing by two goals. Worse was to follow as Kristian Mayland then copied Bairstow’s lead with another sweet strike. Nothing was stopping the youngsters now and before half time Bairstow had completed a majestic hatrick. Provided Halifax contained the Dragons in the period immediately after the break, a second cup final appearance beckoned. Whilst some of the spark went from the home side’s play the Dragons could not provide the spark to ignite their play. Halifax rotated the squad and still managed to have a stranglehold on the game. Trevor Love played with his usual abrasiveness and let the visitors have no respite. The final substitution minutes before the end brought a spate of action. Bryn Hans moved into midfield to partner Nigel Bowers and almost immediately set up Bairstow for his fourth goal. With time almost expiring Huddersfield gained a consolation well taken goal with the last touch of the match. Fax return to league action next week against second placed Bradley in what could be a decisive match in determining the title. Bradley’s loss in the other semi final against Leeds will hopefully have dented the confidence of the high flying team from Huddersfield. 12/11/11 Boston Spa 4ths 0 Halifax 3rds 10 Halifax maintained thier impressive start to their league programme with a crushing defeat of lowly Boston Spa. It was the first time that the visitors had achieved double figures this season, but the fluency of the attack meant that goals were scored almost at will. Hlaifax were missing two of the regular defence with Bryn Hans called up to the seconds and Nick Barker at a family event. Trevor Love and Lee Chapman deputised but at no time in the game was the defence as assured as previous matches. Ironically it was in the fixture of the biggest margin that stopper James Smith had most to do. Some of his saves were outstanding and had he not been in fine fettle Spa may have made the contest much more competitive. Matthew Bairstow and Kristian Mayland were exceptional in attack and were ably supported by Paul Mayes and John Horsley. By half time Halifax were out of sight with goals from Horsley twice Mayland and David Willis. The half time team talk centred on aiming for double figures and the Fax outfit strove in the second period to achieve that aim. As Spa became more disorganised, Halifax's ascendancy increased. Nigel Bowers joined the fray and made the home defenders even more uncomfortable. Goals were scored at regular intervals by Horsley three, Dave Manning, Kristian Mayland, Paul Mayes and Matthew Bairstow. Spa'a cause was not helped by the dismissal of two defenders following clumsy challenges. Next week Fax defend their cp crown against Huddersfied 4th team who lsot 7-2 earlier in the season to the Park lane outfit. In this form the home side will be hard to beat. 05/11/11 York University 3rds 2 Halifax 3rds 3 Halifax took an important step towards promotion out of Division 6 North with a narrow, hard earned, and at times unlikely victory against by far the best team the league leaders had faced this season. Fax had been warned by 4th team skipper Stephen Lapworth that the students would start at breakneck pace and he was absolutely right. For the first five minutes the visitors were chasing shadows, but fortunately they kept their shape and discipline and calm defending from Chris Reynolds and fine keeping from James Smith kept the scoresheet blank. Gradually Halifax became more assured and the solidity of Lee Chapman playing in an unaccustomed left back role, Matthew Ward settling at right back the calmness of Nick Barker at centre back made the defence watertight. It was a while before Halifax threatened in attack, but gradually David Willis, dropping down from the seconds, made his presence felt in midfield. He was ably supported by Paul Mayes nursing a cold and youngster Matthew Bairstow who has been looking more and more comfortable in his right flank midfield role. Bairstow was managing to use both his athleticism and awareness to set up forwards Kristian Mayland and John Horsley. From once such incursion, Willis, Horsley and Mayland combined beautifully for Willis to sweep the ball into the net. The surprise on the faces of the students was a picture to behold. Fax managed to hold the lead until the break but were acutely aware that the game was not won and that the second half was likely to start as the first with sustained York pressure. The home side were less assertive than earlier but still looked dangerous. They had a very strong central midfielder who gave Dave Manning a severe test all afternoon. To his credit the veteran never stopped running and prevented the home playmaker from producing many penetrative passes. Just when it seemed that Fax might achieve a single goal victory, York scored a brace of goals from short corners. The first was scored from an acute angle, the second when Chris Reynolds was caught dribbling the ball away after blocking a shot. At this stage of the encounter an away win seemed very unlikely. Somehow Fax dragged themslves back into the match and on this occasion it was down to the tenacity a nd skill of less established players. Kristian Mayland moved into midfield to utilise his athleticism, David Willis switched to attack and veteran Gordon Hines replaced the injured Chris Reynolds. Bairstow became the hub of the clever play and from a short corner, Mayes somehow found the net with the ball rolling loose. The youngter then capped a memorable display with a crisp strike from the top of the D. York were not finished and they retaliated well. Hines was composure exonerated at the back and even when he was beaten Smith was there to make the best save of the match three minutes from time. The final whistle brought cheers of delight for the visitors, whereas the Bonfire Night game for the students was more of a damp squib. The win puts Halifax in a very commanding position at the head of the division. 29/10/11 Brigg 3rds 0 Halifax 3rds 2 Holders Halifax moved into the semi finals of the Divison 6 Cup with a keenly contested win against hitherto unbeaten foes Brigg. By scoring twice the visitors doubled the number of goals the home side had conceded, but it was not hard to see how the Brigg defence had been so miserly in their three opening league games. The match was played on a new atro-turf pitch on a sunny afternoon and the quality of the play matched both the surroundings and the weather. Passes were crisp and astute from both sides and it was a while until either team placed pressure on the opposing d efence. Gradually Halifax built up a head of steam with the midfield quartet of Manning, Bowers, Chapman and Mayes gaining the upperhand over their youthful but skilful counterparts. Matthew Bairstow was making his first start for the 3rds, in the absence of injured starlet Kristian Mayland, and he soon struck up an effective partnership with top scorer John Horsley. The variety in the play of the strikers kept the Brigg defence on their toes. Halifax were able to exert pressure and also snub out the threat of the home forwards. Brigg's play was pretty until the last third where they ran out of ideas and quality passing. The visitors gained more short corners than Brigg and from the third set piece skipper Dave Manning drilled the ball to the left of the keeper having once again been fed by Nigel Bowers. Halifax were worth their lead but could not afford to be complacent. Chris Reynolds was c omposed sweeping behind Bryn Hans, Nick Barker and Matthew Ward. Even when Reynolds was beaten James Smith was on form to make two instinctive and solid saves. The single goal half time lead was not deemed to be sufficient, particularly as towards the end of the first period the home midfield became far more assertive. A tactical adjustment at half time saw Bowers and Manning pushing further forward to defend higher up the pitch and Trevor Love to come on as sub to bolster the defence. Both moves worked and Brigg were less effective as an attacking force. Halifax created more chances from open play and the home keeper had to make some outstanding saves from Bairstow, Horsley, Manning and Chapman. Halifax needed a second strike and once again it was Horsley who provided a touch of class and magic. Picking the ball up outside the 25 he left two defenders in his wake before rounding the keeper to squeeze the ball home. It was the coup de grace and really put the match out of reach from the home team. The game was still competitive and James Smith still had to make a brace of smart saves to maintain the clean sheet. The win was hard fought but thoroughly deserved. Halifax need to take this form into the league fixture next week against Huddersfield who are likely to provide stern opposition. 15/10/11 Halifax 3rds 8 Boston Spa 3rds 0 Halifax made it three wins from three matches with an emphatic and ultimately comprehensive win against the visitors from North Leeds. The first half was a dour affair compared to the second period. Halifax were always on top and took the lead early on with skipper Dave Manning blasting the ball home. Spa were unable to break out of their half for long periods, but despite the territorial advantage the home side found it difficult to turn possession into goals. Arch poacher and top scorer John Horsley made the scoreline more comfortable but home stopper James Smith was called into action on more than one occasion to thwart the visitors rare but effective forays. The half time team talk demanded more composure and better passing and within moments of the restart Halifax had exteneded their lead and effectively put the game out of reach. Horsley again was able to slide the ball home from close range. From this point on Halifax took complete control. Newcomer Matthew Bairstow was making his presence felt down the right flank and moves were executed across the full width of the pitch. Concerted pressure resulted in short corners galore and from two of these Nigel Bowers flicked into the net having been fed by Lee Chapman. Kristian Mayland was by now causing havoc down the middle and Spa could not douse the youngsters skill and fire. His brace of goals at this stage of the match were mesmeric and capped another majestic performance. Some of Halifax's moves were seen by some spectators as the best seen at the club for years. Spa's defence and morale weer in tatters and Bairstow capped his impressive debut rounding off the scoring. This victory places Halifax firmly at the head of the division with 21 goals scored and only two conceded. Next week's trip to Brigg in the cup will be a test of the trophy holders as t heir foes are also unbeaten and have only shipped one goal. One of the team's records has to go. 01/10/11 Halifax 3rds 6 Ben Rhydding 6th 0 In their first match of the season on home soil ( or plastic to be more precise ), Halifax 3rds continued their impressive start in the quest to get out of Division 6 North. Fielding the same starting XI as the previous week, the home side began where they had left off last Saturday. Play was constructive and measured and many of the a ttacks stemmed from the assuredness of Chris Reynolds, Matthew Ward, Nick Barker and Bryn Hans. This quartet have formed a near impregnable barrier to opposing forwards, but are also able to set up attacks with sensible and accurate passes. Rhydding were competitive and not easy to break down. They were certainly not prepared to lay down and be easily beaten. A long pass out of defence from Reynolds was well picked up by top scorer John Horsley. With defenders to beat, he set off on a penetrative run using both speed and skill. From nothing he created an opening and coolly rounded the keeper and fed the ball into an empty net. This gave the league leaders added confidence and the midfield quartet of Paul Mayes, Nigel Bowers, Dave Manning and Lee Chapman linked well and started to produce exquisite passes for the twin strikers to feed off. Eager to use the speed of the ball rather than waste energy, the home side moved play from wing to wing trying to exploit weaknesses in the visitors rearguard. One such passing movement released forward Kristian Mayland who matched twin striker Horsley with a confident flick. Better was to follow when Horsley and Mayland combined for the best goal of the game. Using wall passes the strikers took out three defenders for Mayland to sweep the ball past the keeper. Half time gave both teams a respite from the heat, especially as three of the Halifax team had helped out the second team in the preceding game. Eager not to take the foot off the gas, Halifax started brightly in the second period and it was not long before Mayland had completed his hattrick with a reverse stick strike into the net. He is one of a few players who make this skill look easy. Halifax brought subs Cameron Hellowell and Stephen Lapworth on to give players an opportunity to rehydrate in the sapping conditions. Play slowed considerably as both teams toiled under the blazing sun. Having missed a couple of glorious opportunities, Lapworth put his name on the scorecard with a typical close range shot. Chris Reynolds then moved up at a short corner with Bowers resting to smash a shot past the visiting stopper. Halifax pressed until the final whistle and completed the 70 minutes without keeper James Smith having one shot to save. The win gives Halifax a 100% record after a brace of matches and head the division with a very healthy goal difference. Next week they defend their trophy in the cup against Adel. 24/9/11 Huddersfield 4th 2 Halifax 3rds 7 Following a brace of defeats in pre-season friendlies, Halifax found their form in emphatic style brushing aside their near neighbours with aplomb. Fielding the strongest side so far this season, Halifax started really with assurance. The four man midfield of Paul Mayes, Nigel Bowers, Dave Manning and Lee Chapman soon exerted a stranglehold on the game which they never surrendered. Whereas in defeats to Ben Rhydding and Bradford possession had been lost trying to force the play the visitors were prepared to slow attacks down and use the back line of Chris Reynolds, Nick Barker, Bryn Hans and Matthew Ward to support play. Not only were the defence willing to assist the offence, but they also snubbed out any of the home threat with tight marking and crisp tackling. It was not a surprise when Halifax took the lead early in the half. Chapman fed Manning and the skipper crashed the ball into the net from quite a sharp angle. Top scorer Horsley then added a couple of strikes from open play showing yet again his sharp eye for goal. Halifax were brought down to earth with a well worked goal from a short corner, but also were able to extend the lead before the interval with Horsley completing his hattrick courtesy of an assist from starlet Kristian Mayland. Even at 4-1, the home side posed a threat from set plays and the visitors were urged by captain Manning during the break to score the next goal to settle the contest. No sooner had the second period started, Manning's wishes were granted with a sublime piece of skill from Mayland . Picking the ball up in the centre third, he accelerated past defenders to slip the ball into the goal. Better was to follow from the teenager when he crashed the ball reverse stick past a floundering keeper. Within the space of minutes Halifax were out of sight. Horsley took his tally to four soon afterwards. The gloss of the victory was slightly tarnished when the Dragons scored a debatable second, but overall the performance of the visitors was impressive and very clinical. The teamwork and balance of the side was impeccable and it has to be hoped that this can be carried on to the side's first home fixture next week against Ben Rhydding Match Reports Compiled By:- ??? Halifax III 3 Leeds VI 2 Halifax nearly threw away their unblemished league record against a very combative Leeds outfit despite controlling the Yorkshire Eight game for long periods. Having kept a clean sheet for the opening two matches, skipper Dave Manning warned the team against complacency but his fears were realised after 10 minutes when a Leeds midfielder broke powerfully from midfield, surged through three or four half-hearted challenges and drilled the ball between the pads of Steve Sparks. Halifax remained focused and the midfield of Oliver James, Nigel Bowers and Paul Wheatley worked tirelessly to regain parity and shortly before the break John Horsley forced the ball home after neat interplay between David Willis, Bowers and Rupert Scott. Andy Turner produced a sublime finish for his first goal for the club in four years but a recurring injury to David Willis forced Halifax to re-organise and lose the ascendancy. Big stopper Steve Sparks made some fine stops and Chris Reynolds some important interceptions but Leeds equalised midway through the half. Substitute Trevor Love injected some enthusiasm into the home side and a number of short corners were gained. From one of these Bowers delicately fed Dave Manning and the captain drilled home for a goal which catapulted Halifax to top spot. Match reports to follow