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Photos: Adam Green
Graham Kimber’s late, deflected shot handed Alcuin 1sts a hard-fought victory over an impressive Halifax 4ths outfit.
The midfielder’s driven effort looked certain to be heading wide before taking a cruel deflection off John Horne’s boot and completely wrong-footing Connot Tait.
In an eventful first half, Alcuin took the early lead through Will Taylor’s free kick before Halifax showed their tenacity with a spectacular Craig Dixon equaliser.
Halifax were arguably the better side in the second half without creating any clear chances, before Alcuin’s late slice of luck denied the underdogs a likely point.
After a surprise win over Vanbrugh 2nds last week, Halifax arrived into the match full of confidence but it was Alcuin who were applying the early pressure.
Will Taylor was causing problems down the left with his pace and trickery before being awarded a free kick.
The winger’s high, floated delivery should have been easily caught by ‘keeper Tait but he inexplicably allowed the ball to slip through his gloves into the net.
Despite this early setback, Halifax kept plugging away, launching long balls up to big frontman Alec Rieck.
After 12 minutes, one such ball was comfortably headed clear by the Alcuin defence, only for the arriving Craig Dixon to execute a brilliant half-volley from 25 yards which spun deliciously over the ‘keeper to level proceedings.
With the wind in their sails, Halifax very nearly took the lead. Petros Giannopolous dinked a ball over the top to the troublesome Rieck, whose powerful drive was saved before his follow-up effort was cleared off the line by a scrambling Alcuin rearguard.
Alcuin were enjoying most of the possession but not creating any chances against a well-disciplined Halifax, who were trying to profit on the break.
Just before half time Rieck had another opportunity after chasing Joe Smith’s long clearance, shrugging off Alcuin defenders but skying his volley miles over.
The second half began with a similar pattern of play, but Alex Brown could have given Alcuin the lead only to power his header wide from Will Dodgson’s clipped cross.
A draw looked the most likely outcome in what was a very attritional contest, and with 15 minutes left, Alcuin were happy to see the back of Rieck, who was replaced by Ryan Docherty.
With just five minutes remaining, however, Alcuin snatched the lead with Kimber’s fortunate strike.
It followed good work on the left through Taylor and Dodgson in midfield, but Halifax will feel hard done by to concede in such fashion.
Afterwards, Alcuin captain Bradley Wood said: “We were a bit fortunate to get the three points. Hopefully we can move on from here for the rest of the group stages.”
Halifax captain Elliot Taylor-Wheeler was proud of his side’s performance: “The performance showed how far we have come. We improved in the second half and had a few more chances. We’ll beat James 1sts instead.”
Vision MOTM: Alec Rieck