FC Halifax u19s 4 [2] v Southport SSES u19s 0.

It was difficult to believe that this game was billed as a '6 pointer' on account of FC Halifax being 2nd and Southport SSES 3rd in the table before kick off as the Halifax youngsters systematically diffused, dismantled and destroyed their unfortunate opponents to strengthen their position in the table's runner-up berth. Almost incredibly the first 30 minutes was punctuated by just the one chance, a clear shot being pulled wide of the goal by the Southport striker after Halifax sweeper Metcalfe was robbed of the ball whilst allowing a pass by keeper Taylor to get stuck under his feet on the edge of his own penalty area, as the two sides patiently probed to break the deadlock.

On 30 minutes Halifax left wing back, Ben Bodle, chased down an over hit ball into the Southport area and then did well to react quickly and skewer the ball into the unguarded net from a very acute angle when the Southport keeper spilled the ball whilst attempting to smoother it. Minutes later Khuram Shazad, who was his usual inventive self in his floating role in the Halifax midfield, did exceptionally well to spin and hook the ball on the volley into the path of Sanchez Heffernan and the latter was only denied by a fine, one handed save low at the near post by the visitor's keeper.

Five minutes later Halifax took a throw-in on the half way line quickly, resulting in Heffernan attacking with the ball at his feet from a central position. Heffernan, turned, travelled and dribbled before playing a diagonal pass across the opposition penalty area to pick out the unmarked Shazad who promptly tucked the ball past the Southport keeper. 2-0 to the Halifax youngsters at half time and in a match of such importance one wondered whether the instruction 'shut up shop' might be emanating from the home dressing room.

Southport tried to start the second half like a team realising that if they didn't score the next goal it would almost certainly be a 'nil point outing' and created their second, and last, meaningful chance of the game on 50 minutes by taking advantage of, perhaps, the Halifax boys not quite squeezing space as a unit efficiently enough when pushing forward. A Halifax offensive broke down and from the resultant counter attack keeper Taylor did well to push a well driven, low shot around his post for a corner. 55 minutes was the cue for Halifax to produce the goal of the game from what appeared to be a set piece corner with Keris timing his 'late into the box run' to perfection before expertly smashing the ball on the volley, and whilst still on the move, into the net and it was apparent from his goal celebrations that he had enjoyed the moment.

The patient work of the Halifax youngsters continued and top quality chances kept on arriving. Shazad hit the cross bar whilst attempting to lob the cover defender on the line [the keeper being stranded outside his goal at this point] before the talented Heffernan decided to shoot, pulling his low shot marginally wide of the post, after realising that he had run out of Southport opponents to beat in another home team attack. Shazad then played a superb, weighted pass with the outside of his foot into the running line of centre forward Joyce but a slightly heavy first touch from ten yards out allowed a grateful keeper to smoother the ball and a few minutes later centre half Reid smashed the ball over the cross bar from 8 yards out after connecting with an in swinging corner.

The 'never give up' and unselfish attitude of Karl Joyce served the team well on 80 minutes when he robbed a defender of the ball before quickly playing it to midfielder Keris, who after an early season dip in form now looks to be at his 'last season's player of the year' best, who fed Heffernan for the latter to pass it into the net for goal number four for Halifax. I counted that the visitors created just three chances, two full and one half, whilst the impressive Halifax youngsters created eleven, ten full and one half, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Des Hazel debrief focused on why one of those eleven chances only resulted in a half chance, such is the 'perfection mentality' approach he has gradually seemed to imbue into his young charges. And so the stage is set for next week's top of the table clash, away at the Southport A's ground, another real '6 pointer match', the outcome of which should go some way to deciding who will finish the season as 'Champions'. I suspect that by adopting such a measured, controlled approach the Halifax lads have not used up too much of their diffusing, dismantling and destroying capabilities in today's encounter.

FC Halifax Team: 1. Tom Taylor. 2. Jordan Coduri. 3. Ben Bodle. 4. Mat Jones. 5. James Metcalfe. 6. Carlton Reid. 7. Hayden Keris. 8. Jason Carney. 9. Karl Joyce. 10. Sanchez Heffernan. 11. Khuram Shazad.

Subs: Reece Gill. Chris Kibble.

FCHT Goal scorers: Bodle. Shazad. Keris. Heffernan.

FCHT Mom: Keris.

Goal scoring chances: FCHT 11. SSSES 3.

Nick Fletcher