AFC Halifax returned to IFA League action on Saturday when they entertained Bury Supporters on Saville Park. Gaffer John Barker had stressed it was the performance rather than the result that was important, and to that end he must have pleased, for despite defeat, over the course
Of the ninety minutes, AFC were undoubtedly the better team. Barker sprung a surprise when Nigel Walker was given the nod as goalkeeper (it was anyone's guess as to whom else would have donned the yellow jersey after AFC's regular three keepers all absented themselves, though Stewart Heaton was probably the most relieved of the remaining outfield players.)Nigel confessed to having played in goal before but failed to add just how he'd got on, but on the evidence of this game, he would have done well.
His handling was impeccable and he wasn't afraid to dash out of his area in a sweeper's role.
As things turned out, for the most of the first half, Nigel was almost a spectator, as AFC dominated the proceedings and created all the clear-cut chances in the first thirty-five minutes. Barker had the first chance, a header turned around for a corner, and Ashley Addy was particularly unlucky to see his shot from the edge of the box hit the inside of the post and travel along the line without actually crossing it.
The Bury keeper also did well to tip another effort over the bar as AFC pressed once more it could be argued that the home side had the advantage of playing down slope in the first half, though it has to be pointed out that four of the five goals were scored up the slope, the first of which came seven minutes before the break. Having failed to take their chances, AFC paid the price when Bury got around the back, and when a low ball was delivered into the box, an unmarked player fired home from ten yards. Hard to swallow, I know, but misery was doubled three minutes later when Bury broke the offside and their forward rounded Nigel to make it 2-0.
Their tails up, it was Bury who made the brighter start to the second half, but having survived, AFC battled gamely to get back into it. But inevitably, frustration crept in and there were a series of malicious tackles and name calling that threatened to spoil the game. Once parity had been restored, however, it was Bury who grabbed the next goal, breaking down the right and the low cross being turned home.AFC hit back, and in an extraordinary sequence of events, Adam Probets got past the last man only to see his shot saved by the keeper, Matt Blackburn followed up but his effort was pushed onto the post, and when the ball came to Addy on the edge of the box, his first time shot also hit the post. Bury survived that, but eventually, with twenty minutes remaining Probets finally made the breakthrough, finishing in style after using his pace to leave him with just the keeper to beat. Minutes later, AFC were right back in the game when Paul Cartman's dangerous low ball into the box was only helped into the net by the keeper, and this goal set up a frantic final ten minutes.
AFC pushed men forward. Blackburn had an effort that was scrambled away, and with the last kick of the game, Adam Ramsden's long range effort just cleared the bar.
AFC have beaten Bury before, and perhaps on chances created should have seen this game out, but the cobwebs have been dusted away and surely the next victory won't be too far in coming.
Team; Walker; Lumb, Barker, Ramsden, Heaton; Bishop, Meynell, Addy, Fawkes; Barnes (S), Probets. Subs; Blackburn, Cartman, Hemblys.
