A furious Chris Wilder blasted his side after this afternoon's 4 v 0 defeat at Morecambe.More performances like this will result in the unthinkable relegation to Conference North and Wilder has made it clear some players will not be at the Club, regardless of what League the Club is in next season, unless performances and results improve dramatically over the remaining 5 games.
Following Saturday's hard fought victory over Cambridge United; Wilder freshened up his side due to injuries and tiredness.In came Ryan Toulson, Ryan Cresswell, Gus Uhlenbeek, Chris Billy and Andy Campbell.During the first half the changes, coupled with Saturday's victory, looked to have given the side a fresh impetus as they played their part in an entertaining encounter and could perhaps consider themselves unlucky to be a goal down at half time.After the break it was a different story with a total capitulation and woeful finishing from Morecambe on two occasions kept the score down.
The Shaymen began the game well.Steve Torpey was fouled on the left by ex Shayman Adam Yates but Tom Kearney's ball in was cleared by Jim Bentley who gave a commanding performance for the hosts, emphasising why Wilder was so keen to bring him to The Shay last summer.
Danny Forrest almost gave Town a 4th minute lead.Torpey's right wing corner fell to the ex Bradford man but his header was cleared off the line by Garry Hunter.
All the hosts could offer was a David McNiven shot that failed to trouble Craig Mawson who received a fine ovation from the home fans to show their appreciation for his services to Morecambe FC earlier in his career.
Forrest turned his defender 25 yards from goal but his powerful shot cleared the crossbar by a foot and soon after the hosts took the lead against the run of play.Uhlenbeek upended Wayne Curtis on the Town right.Garry Thompson's cross was missed by the defence and Matthew Blinkhorn, on loan from Blackpool, headed in from close range.The goal was harsh on Town and given the spirited first half showing many of the Shay following expected a comeback in the second half.Sadly it was a capitulation.
Chris Wilder introduced Lewis Killeen at the start of the second period, replacing Gus Uhlenbeek and a sedate start followed.Torpey's 55th minute shot was deflected wide but this was the nearest Town got to scoring.
Left full back Danny Adams set up Morecambe's second goal.He raced forward and found midfield runner Neil Sorvel with a precise through ball and the ex Crewe man drew Mawson before executing a clinical finish.
Tyrone Thompson and Darryn Stamp came on for Billy and Campbell respectively but there was no way back even though Stamp appeared to have justifiable claims for a penalty when challenging for a Torpey cross.
A throw in on the left should have led to Morecambe increasing their lead.Wayne Curtis received the ball and held off his marker.Mawson made a fine save but Curtis blasted the rebound over from 6 yards out.Tow minutes later Blinkhorn missed an even easier chance when a ball behind the Town defence was squared to him but he missed an empty net from 4 yards out.
Town's spirit was broken but the manner of the 3rd goal will give the Manager and the defence nightmares.A corner on the left was allowed to reach Garry Thompson who had a simple tap in for a 3 goal lead.
And 2 minutes later Town's afternoon of woe was compounded when Adam Quinn was caught in possession and Blinkhorn doubled his personal goal tally and made the final score Morecambe 4 Halifax Town 0.
Chris Wilder was scathing in his after match comments but only 48 hours earlier praised the fans for their vocal contribution to the victory over Cambridge.A number of fans turned on the team at the final whistle but their support is needed again at home to Aldershot on Saturday.This fixture now becomes the most important in the recent history of Halifax Town AFC.
