AFC Halifax vets team won this year's Worldnet tournament, beating Arsenal Nigeria in the final, with an Andy Hembly's golden goal 40 seconds form the end of extra time.
The AFC Halifax open age team managed to reach the last 16 only to go out to Sheffield United.
The vets started the weekend with a 2-1 victory against Oxford, finding themselves a goal down with 2 minutes remaining they managed to score twice through Andy Hemblys and John Kavanagh to secure the 3 points. Next up was Glasgow Rangers. This proved to be the most comfortable game of the weekend as they ran out 5-0 victors. The goals came from Andy Hembly's 3, Johnny Meynell and former Halifax Town legend Steve Payne. Arsenal was the lads' next opponents and AFC Halifax knew another victory would mean they would top the group and as a reward they would be given a later kick off on Sunday morning. The team duly obliged, coasting to a 1-0 win courtesy of another Steve Payne cracker from all of 40 yards!!!
Sunday brought about the knockout stage and AFC Halifax were paired with Watford, a team that certainly looked a major threat to any ambitions Halifax had. AFC Halifax produced a vintage display and was not flattered by a 4-0 win. The goals this time were from Paul Sykes, Danny King, Matty Thompson and Kevin Dawson. This victory put AFC Halifax into the 1/4 finals where they were paired with old foes Grimsby Town. Yet again Halifax did not disappoint and following goals from Andy Hemblys and Craig Peckover they found themselves in the Semi Final. Leicester City stood in AFC Halifax's way, and the pre tournament favourites justified that tag. They were the first team to really test the Halifax defence, who had only conceded one goal in the first 5 games. Leicester looked to spoil that record. What they did not account for is AFC Halifax's spirit. Halifax had the chance to take an early lead when Hembly's was given a chance from the spot after Dawson had been taken out by the keeper. Up stepped the normally reliable Hembly's to put his spot kick over the bar. The opening goal was not long in coming though and Kevin Dawson put AFC Halifax one up. Leicester always posed a threat on the break with their pace and they were back on level terms just before the break. The second half proved to be Halifax's with further goals coming from Danny King and Paul Sykes. Leicester did pull one back to make for an edgy last few minutes, but Halifax's defence stood firm with Paul Sykes filling in at centre half after Steve Payne had to leave the pitch with a cut to his head following a clash with his own player.
So here it was, AFC Halifax making the debut in the WorldNet vets and managing to reach the final!! The job now was to win the thing. This would be easier said than done as a very strong and physical Arsenal Nigeria team stood in their way. The Nigerians made their intentions clear from the start with a number of Halifax players on the receiving end of a few robust challenges. AFC Halifax did very well to keep their heads as these tactics were Nigeria trying to put the lads off their game. The first half ended all square and AFC Halifax knew that they were the better team and it was only a matter of time. The second half was a couple of minutes old when the linesman spotted an off the ball incident and showed a red card to the Nigerian centre half. The remaining minutes of the second half proved to be a bit of a stalemate with Halifax only creating a couple of chances.
Extra time and the infamous golden goal followed, and AFC Halifax were sent out with the message "go and win it" The extra time period was pretty uneventful until with 40 seconds remaining Matt Blackburn took a short corner to Matty Thompson who swung in a pin point cross to find the head of Andy Hemblys who powered the ball beyond the Nigerian keeper, to spark wild scenes in the goalmouth. AFC Halifax had won the WorldNet vets, and without doubt deserved to do so, and were the best team in the competition.
As well as skipper Matt Blackburn lifting the trophy, Paul Sykes was handed the trophy for man of the match in the final.
