AFC Halifax 1-1 Bury B
After a three week lay off AFC Halifax returned to action against Bury B. In their last run out AFC suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Burys A side but it can be argued that there is not much difference in quality between the 2 sides these days and everybody knew it would be a close game. With only 12 players to choose from at kick off, of which two were goalkeepers, Manager John Barker's team almost picked itself with 'keeper Chris Wigglesworth the unlucky substitute. Nigel Walker took his place in goal and excelled again after his solid performance three weeks ago.
The game started slowly with both teams having half chances the best falling to
Martin Bishop when a Ben Fawkes corner found him on the back post but his shot went narrowly wide. Midway through the half the deadlock was broken and it was the away side who took the lead. The Bury forward found himself out wide, he cut inside and unleashed a shot that nestled in the top right hand corner giving Walker no chance. AFC didn't let this affect them and still battled hard in the games that was at times feisty, with Adam Probets the recipient of a couple of tasty challenges however the half did finish 1-0. The message at half time was to continue the hard work and commitment and the result will look after itself.
The second half started with AFC turning up the pressure with Probets having a chance just go narrowly wide. Changes were made as AFC searched for an equaliser. Chris Wigglesworth came on in an unfamiliar strikers role for Sam Barnes and Matt Blackburn, who arrived midway through the second half unbeknown to his wife, came on for the impressive Jon Barnes. With 15 minutes remaining the equaliser arrived. A lot has been said about the goal and to be fair it was a beauty. A free kick was awarded to Halifax, the ball was floated in but headed clear by the Bury defender to the edge of the box where Ashley Addy unleashed an unstoppable volley into the top left hand corner. A rocket of a shot and the 'keeper stood no chance and AFC Halifax got the goal their performance duly deserved.
The game opened up in the last 10 minutes with both teams looking to snatch a winner. Bury's best chances came with a shot from the edge of the area that just went narrowly over and a corner that caused confusion in the area but was eventually
cleared. Just before the final whistle AFC Halifax had there best chance of the game, Addy's free kick was just too high for Matt Blackburn at the far post and so the game ended and a draw was probably the fair result although both teams had chances to take all 3 points.
It was a fantastic performance from AFC Halifax and it would have been very unfair if they had suffered defeat. Every single player showed great determination and commitment towards the team and gave Bury very little time on the ball. Nigel Walker was solid in goals and the whole defence of Matt Lumb, John Barker, Adam Ramsden and Stewart Heaton very rarely lost a header or a tackle. The midfield worked their socks off and Probets was a menace upfront as usual with Sam Barnes holding the ball up well. Chris Wigglesworth also did well upfront when he came on and Matt Blackburn was his usual self and never gave up on the cause. The team will now focus on some big games coming up in the next 2 weeks taking great confidence from this week's performance.
Ashley Addy
Squad: Walker, Lumb, Barker, Ramsden, Heaton, Fawkes, Addy, Bishop, J, Barnes, S Barnes, Probets. Subs: Wigglesworth, Blackburn
