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Photos: Kathy Burke
Another late goal helped Halifax 3rds to their second win of the College Cup, with Ben Smith’s header maintaining their unbeaten start.
It follows up their result from the opening day of the campaign, when the team netted twice late on to claim all the points against Wentworth 1sts.
On a chilly afternoon, kick-off was delayed as the referee banned Paulo Dicaro from wearing a snood, much to the amusement of the sparse Halifax support.
And the football itself took time to get going after a scrappy opening; in the seventh minute, a long ball from the middle of the park put Ben Smith through. As the forward was bearing down on goal, the James goalkeeper rushed out and blocked the effort with some solid defensive play.
Ten minutes later, a questionable penalty was awarded after confusion in the James’ penalty area resulted in handball – or ball to hand as the James players argued. The cluster of defenders got in each other’s way and made a mess of clearing the ball. Johnny Williamson stepped up but his strike cannoned of the crossbar, and the game remained level.
The penalty may not have made a difference to the score, but it certainly impacted Williamson himself. With his confidence lost, his performance capitulated and his game looked over.
Paulo Dicaro hobbled off moments later after suffering an ankle injury, and things looked bad for Halifax.
The James midfield general, Yates, found it tough to get on top in central midfield with Halifax dominating possession, concluding not an uneventful first half, but one that lacked quality.
After the break, Halifax changed to a 4-3-3 formation, with Cole coming on and lining up on the right, Solomon Sanngo on the left supporting Ben Smith as the lone forward.
But it was James 3rds who applied the pressure, as a dominant spell resulted in a golden opportunity: Some good work in the middle of the park from Maxime Remy saw a James striker attempt to chip the keeper, but he got it all wrong.
With James’ number 69 – Maxime Remy – through on goal, substitute Aindow brought him down with a professional foul. Expecting to see red, the referee produced a yellow card to the distress and disbelief of the James players and joy of the Halifax supporters.
What came next shook the world. Well, the astro-turf.
A stunning double save from Shin Murata – the first from the low drive free kick – and the second a tip over the bar from the following effort – kept James at bay.
And at the other end, goalkeeper Paul Charnock made a rookie error as he let the ball slip through his fingers, and Ben Smith pounced to head home his second goal in as many games.
Jack Timms then made a quality run to send himself clean through, but another excellent stop from Shin Murata denied him. The Halifax defence were left confused at Timms’ striped kit, who was made to change into clear black.
And Halifax held on comfortably, holding onto their 100 per cent start.
Vision MOTM: Shin Murata. The ‘keeper labelled the match “tough” but was “delighted” with his side’s effort.
*Joules Remy, not Maxime