Tuesday 27th February 2007

Halifax 0 v  2 Vics

Halifax were clearly keen to rebuild a relationship with their fans following a recent defeat in the FA Trophy and a series of poor results that had placed them within the possible relegation zone. And their start to the game was a clear reflection of their determination.

Only a superbly executed headed clearance from off the goal line by Charnock prevented Stamp from supplying the home side with a 1st minute lead. Chris Billy then won possession to drive 20 yards forward before drilling a shot that cleared the bar by millimetres. Trotman then ought to have scored but he squandered the opportunity by lifting his shot from a well-placed free kick over the bar from barely 9 yards.

Dean and Brayson contrived together to engineer an opening in response that was eventually blocked out by Trotman. Otherwise the home side continued to create the more effective chances and Killeen ought to have done better than head wide from 5 yards after Stamp had created the opportunity with a calculated header from the opposing post.

Connett produced a superb save to keep out a Kearney strike and then Uhlenbeek failed to capitalise from another half chance. Notts Forest and former Vics’ midfielder Felix Bastians came close twice at the end of the first half but Connett denied his first effort with a quality save and his second curled shot from the edge of the box just cleared the bar.

Having dealt efficiently with the first half Halifax pressure Vics began to grow in stature and began to pose an effective attacking response of their own that increasingly exposed weaknesses in an increasingly vulnerable home defence. Roca replaced Dean, allowing an ultimately significant change in tactic, which allowed the impressive Matt Shaw to operate from a more central and effective central striker's role.

Stamp had a shot blocked before Brayson set up Mayman and only a superb full length save denied the Vics winger from giving his team the lead. With Halifax looking increasingly incapable of mounting sustainable pressure, Vics continued to move forward with an ever increasing commitment that was eventually rewarded with a 69th minute lead. The vulnerability of the Halifax defence was ruthlessly exposed to allow enough time and space for Carr to execute a trademark overhead kick cross that allowed the alert SHAW to score from close range.

With the outstanding veteran Griffiths leading his troops by example and Connett producing the odd save when required a positive result became an increasing likelihood and this was finally underlined with another textbook quality goal from BRAYSON. Not for the first time the Vics striker gained possession some distance from goal before looking up and lifting his long range shot over the head of the opposing keeper and into the top corner of the net.

On a night when the most reliable of Vics players proved their value, new boys Smart and Shaw had excellent games and endorsed the belief that their contribution to the squad until at least the end of the season will be invaluable.

 
Attendance: 1,221
Man of the Match: Kieran Charnock