For the second successive home game Halifax Town showed tremendous character and spirit to record a victory, this time beating Aldershot Town 2 v 0.And, for the second successive home game Chris Wilder and his players expressed their gratitude to the fans for their non stop vocal encouragement.
Wilder has been itching to pair Darryn Stamp and Andy Campbell together but injuries have restricted this option so far but today he got his wish. Campbell in particular was impressive but Stamp left the field before half time, a victim in concussion after a clash of heads with his team mate Tyrone Thompson. At the back Neal Trotman returned to partner Ryan Cresswell and Steve Haslam took the right back berth.
Town had the better of the early exchanges with Tom Kearney prominent in every move ably backed up by the energetic Thompson as The Shaymen controlled the midfield.Trickery on either wing from Danny Forrest and Steve Torpey complimented this but there was little in the way of clear cut chances.
Campbell's pace caused the Aldershot defence problems as he harried and chased for every ball. The Assistant's flag pulled him back on more than one occasion but his performance threatened a goal, and before half time he obliged.
Forrest's mazy run on the right brought him into the centre and his 25 yard drive was inches off the bottom corner. Moments later Cresswell's acrobatics in the box almost created a chance for Stamp but the ball was cleared.
Shane Smeltz replaced Stamp and he immediately set up Campbell whose shot was comfortably saved. With 2 minutes of added time announced it looked a dead cert for a goalless first half but Town, and Campbell had other ideas. Steve Torpey picked up the ball on the left and raced in field before releasing Campbell. The ex Middlesbrough man kept his cool and held off a challenge before executing a cool finish to send The Shaymen into the half time break with a 1 v 0 lead.
Within seconds of the restart the lead could have doubled. Tyrone Thompson latched onto a loose ball in midfield and released Campbell. His shot was saved by Nikki Bull but he was alert enough to square the rebound to Smeltz and the Kiwi international looked set for a tap in but Bull somehow recovered to deflect the ball away from goal.
Seconds later in could have been all square. Ex Shayman John Grant took a long ball in his stride, cut into the penalty area and set up Louis Soares but Craig Mawson's save kept the 1 goal advantage.
Forrest shot wide on 59 minutes then Town broke away a minute later with Torpey opting to shoot rather than play in a team mate. Bull saved comfortably. Campbell's touch let him down a minute later from another through ball.
Trotman's header from Torpey's free kick was turned over by Bull then that man Campbell had another chance. His surge towards goal ended with a shot that Bull palmed away then the post rescued The Shots when Smeltz had the opportunity of doubling the lead.
Bull's comical throw and clearance was charged down by Campbell but the ball went agonisingly wide of the post and it looked as thought a 2nd goal would never arrive.
But, it did in injury time. Lewis Killeen who had replaced Torpey picked up the ball near the half way line and coolly picked out Forrest.The ex Bradford man moved towards goal before unleashing a 20 yard stunner that went in off the underside of the bar.It may have taken a while to arrive but the 2nd goal was merited and sealed 3 points that take The Shaymen out of the bottom four.
Home form is great but can the away from improve? Find out at the Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday when Town take on Burton Albion.Kick Off 7.45pm.
