Halifax hurdle too high for Northwich

Jan 28 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

VICS’ failure to beat modest opposition at the Marston’s Arena dealt them a severe blow in a crucial Blue Square Premier game and the above average 1,024 crowd was left to reflect on the club’s deepening relegation worries.

The Yorkshiremen played with 10 men for most of the second half after having striker Nathan Joynes sent off for elbowing Michael Welch, but Northwich lacked the craft to unlock their compact defence and break the 2-2 stalemate.

A remarkable first half was highlighted by four goals, starting on four minutes when Vics defender Welch deflected a crisp 15-yard drive by Craig Nelthorpe.

Vics levelled on 16 minutes when Aaron Burns’ close range shot took a similar deflection.

Halifax went ahead again on 37 minutes with a fluke goal when debut goalkeeper Lewis Edge, on loan from Blackpool, watched as his clearance kick struck the onrushing Tom Shaw on the chest and cannon into an empty net from 20 yards.

But then Vics made it 2-2 in the fourth minute of added first-half time, lively striker Burns flicking in a cross by winger Jamie Mullan.

Manager Dino Maamria’s new-look side failed to unlock a tight Halifax defence in the second half, Burns coming nearest when his shot was breasted off the goal line by Matt Doughty.

They could also have fallen behind had Edge not pulled off several smart saves against the Tykes, who made light of their handicap to earn a point.

NORTHWICH: Edge; Bowler (Carr 55), Welch, Belle, Kerr; Mullan, Crowell, Byron, Horrocks (Hanley 70); Akins (Barker 79), Burns.

HALIFAX: Legzdins; Doughty, Sharp, Kearney, Heslop; Shaw, Nelthorpe (Gray 60), O’Callaghan, Harban (Bailey 70); Joynes, Killeen (Torpey 80). Booked: Kearney. Sent off: Joynes. REFEREE: J. Collin.