Warrington Town 1 - 3 FC Halifax Town
By Tom Snee at Cantilever Park
Tuesday 9th March 2010
FC Halifax Town stormed to a third successive victory with an impressive victory over a dismal Warrington Town side at Cantilever Park.
The Shaymen dominated the early stages of the game, with the in-form Nick Gray the source of much of the attacking verve.Harry Winter, who has scored five in the last five games, went closest to opening the scoring on 13 minutes, but his stretching shot rolled inches wide.
Town looked far the better side going forward, and were twice foiled on the line.First, Ben Connett spectacularly saved a Steve Payne volley, and then Mike Grogan somehow managed to cover after Richard Marshall's shot had beaten the Wire goalkeeper.
Halifax looked certain to open the scoring, but it took a defensive error to gift them the opportunity.Danny Toone failed to deal with a high ball, and his sliced clearance skidded across the face of the goal into the path of Nick Gray, who had the simplest of tap-ins to give the visitors the lead.
A second goal seemed inevitable, and after a superb piece of work from James Dean won Town a corner, Gray doubled his personal tally.James Riley flicked the ball on, and the forward had plenty of time to skilfully volley past the helpless Connett.
The crowd of 505 - a club record in the Unibond League - were becoming increasingly vociferous as Town came out of the blocks fighting for the second half.Scott Phelan thought he had scored as his 20-yard drive slid into the brick wall behind the Town goal.
The Shaymen continued to commit men forward looking to avoid a similar result to their last away game at Radcliffe, with Danny Lowe going closest with a sweet volley that skimmed the crossbar.
Despite three games without a goal, Dean was in imperious form, with his build-up play as good as it ever has been.On the numerous occasions he found himself with his back to goal, the striker was able to bring his teammates into the game and impress the Shaymen's dominance.
With the last away result still fresh in the mind, the last thing Town needed was Warrington to score.That, however, is just what happened as Tom Baker miskicked a crossfield ball into the path of Gavin Salmon, who finished confidently to give the Shaymen a nervy last fifteen minutes.
The game was settled, however, by a moment of pure magic.Out of the right, Dean found himself with time to settle, and lifted an audacious chip shot that went over Connett andinto the far corner to secure all three points for the Shaymen.
Colwyn Bay are the next visitors to The Shay, and FC Halifax Town will be looking to continue their fine form against their promotion rivals.
