In the top of the table encounter between two of the heavyweights of college football, Derwent struck late in the game to inflict a deflating loss on a classy Halifax team.
The sun was beaming down on 22 acres but neither group of players allowed any shock at such an unusual occurrence interfere with their play, nor were they afforded any time to catch a spring sun tan as a closely fought game boiled down to an engaging midfield duel.
Both teams had claimed 1-0 wins in similarly tricky ties a fortnight ago but it was Derwent who showed more appetite for this encounter early on. Halifax attempted to steal the initiative from the outset, Jack Beadle sailing a speculative effort from just inside the Derwent half, over the bar as early as the first minute. Derwent responded with some smart passing play which was nearly rewarded 15 minutes later when a Chris Barnett corner was thumped against the bar by the head of Matt Hallam.
Evidently annoyed at having seen their crossbar almost annihilated, Halifax upped their game but found chances few and far between. One fell to Conor Brennan who found a good position just inside the Derwent box but saw his effort easily saved as both sides demonstrated a frustrating incapability of delivering an end product to their neat build up play.
Half time came, and gave a chance for Derwent and Halifax to reassess their game plans, In truth little changed though. Halifax had slightly the better of the play with Jack Beadle and ubiquitous captain Mark Lund, their stand out players, trying to find the decisive through ball, and the introduction of Eamonn Geoghegan gave them fresh legs in midfield but an increasing impatience led to a growing number of hopeful long balls, which gave Ragan and Conor Brennan up front little more than half chances at goal.
If Lund and co were irritated at this point they were not going to like what followed. Another Derwent corner was floated in, in the 80th minute and centre back Richard Burne, clearly not content with merely keeping Halifax at bay, rose highest in the middle of the box and powered home the winner with an unstoppable header. With Halifax clearly reeling from conceding so late on, and pressurising for an equaliser, Derwent found opportunities aplenty but in the end had to settle for a one goal victory which could be vital come the end of the season.
By Jon Cook