Saturday 4th November 2006

Vics 3 v  2 Halifax

Inspired by substitutes Michael Byrne and debutant Felix Bastiens, an under 18 German International currently on loan from Notts Forest, Vics conjured up a win that had seemed most unlikely for the best part of an hour of a game where Halifax had looked the better side.

Straight from the kick off Halifax looked the sharper and quickly took advantage of space down the Vics flanks to create an opening for Danny Forrest that only a good save from Senior enabled the score to remain level. The visitors continued to surge forward with width, pace and purpose and were eventually rewarded when the

ever-threatening FORREST scored from close range. Halifax continued to hold the upper hand and for much of the time a disjointed Vics appeared to be chasing shadows. And so it came as little surprise that Vics succumbed again in the 27th minute when their defence was again exposed down the right flank leaving TORPEY to complete a slick move with a precision finish.

Sugden guided a cross wide as matters appeared to remain bleak. It was at this point that Steve Burr opted to introduce a substitution that would eventually momentously change the pattern, and the outcome of the game. Bastians replaced Brown and with that came the adoption of a 4-41 system. It did not take too long for both to become effective and after Brayson had a shot turned around the post by Mawson the same player carefully set up Townson but his shot rapped against the upright with the keeper beaten.

Hopes that Vics would get back into the game, against one of the better footballing sides to visit Victoria Stadium, were rekindled on the stroke of half time by the award of a penalty kick against Wright for a foul perpetrated on Dodds. But the penalty kick from Stuart Elliott was all too easily saved. .

With that chance gone the prospects seemed fairly bleak. Two saves in quick succession by Senior from Sugden and Forrest after the break only appeared to underline the situation until debutant Bastians worked an opening down the left to deliver a quality cross for CARR to score with a close range header. Halifax almost regained their two goal advantage minutes later but Sugden failed to convert and then Byrne replaced Townson and the face of the game changed completely.

Gallimore and Byrne combined impressively for Elliott to fire wide. And with Halifax looking increasingly less assured Byrne broke down the right channel to deliver a cross that was latched onto by BRAYSON to score from 8 yards. Byrne was causing mayhem and might have scored himself had he directed his 20 yard shot 3 yards nearer goal. Halifax continued to have their moments and Senior again proved to be the saviour to deny Forrest. But by now the initiative and impetus had changed and what had become an ever increasingly unlikely win was now becoming more of a possibility. And after Brayson had shot against the post, and with the game entering injury time, a shot from the impressive debutant Bastians deflected off DODDS to confirm and complete a remarkable comeback and win.

Attendance: 1,150

Man of the Match: Phil Senior