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Photos: Jack Western
Ralph Gill’s freekick just before half-time settled a drab affair between James 2nds and Halifax 3rds in Group D.
In 60 minutes of awful football, misplaced passes, and poor finishing, Gill’s freekick just before the half-time whistle was the only real outstanding moment of quality as James moved up to nine points in the standings, five points clear of their opponents.
James were just about the better of the two sides though, and the majority of the half-chances in the first 30 minutes fell to them. Gill was the star man, having already seen a header and a long range volley miss the target before his game deciding moment at the close of the half.
In truth, Halifax 3rds failed to create any real opportunities in the first period, and 23 minutes in the best chance fell to James forward Pete Mabe, who, with two goals already in the Cup so far, saw his shot from the edge of the area deflect just wide after Halifax attempted to counter-attack too quickly, with top scorer Ryan Doherty losing out on an aerial duel that left his side exposed.
With the two teams looking to be heading in at the break goalless, Gill then produced the games outstanding moment. Skipping past Craig Dixon on the edge of the area, he was brought down by the Halifax midfielder and a freekick was awarded. Gill dusted himself down before firing home a powerful effort with the resulting dead ball opportunity. The ‘fax ‘keeper was left helpless by his own defensive wall who managed to end up defending an area to the right of the goalpost, rather than the goalmouth itself, presenting the opportunity for Gill to find the gap and open the scoring.
The second-half failed to provide much better though, with little cohesion shown from either side and a low tempo making for a poor game. The only real chance came for Halifax to grab an equaliser midway through the half.
Doherty played an excellent through ball down the right for Christian Harrison to run through on goal under the challenge of Callum Elliot. Harrison managed to see off Elliot then wasted the chance by dragging the ball well wide when he should have at least tested the ‘keeper.
In truth though, Halifax never looked like equalising, and James managed to run out comfortable, if unconvincing winners to close play on Matchday 4 in Group D.