The game started badly when, after looking quite bright when attacking, Vics conceded a goal from Halifax's first real threat. An attack down the right saw a long centre find Nelthorpe on the left inside the box and his shot was deflected off Welch low into the goal. Both sides played an open attacking game with Vics creating the more dangerous chances. It took a great point blank save from Legzdins to deny Aaron Burns on 13 mins but he could do little about Vics equaliser 2 mins later when Mullan found Byrom in the box to the right and his pass was turned in by Burns. For the next 15 mins Vics had the lions share of the possession without serious threat to the Halifax goal. A lot of the approach play was fast and good but the last pass never came. Halifax, on the other hand, offered nothing in this spell. Towards the half hour mark Halifax began to string a few more passes together and Kerr had to be quick to clear from within the 6yd box and off the clearance Heslop fired just over from 25 yds. Halifax went in front again on 36 mins off one of those nightmare goals you can't anticipate. Killeen shot weakly at goal and Edge (on loan from Blackpool) savedx easily. He carried the ball to the edge of the box rolled it and kicked it only to see Shaw charge it down and ball bounced gently into the unguarded net. Still Vics approach work promised much but without any finish. Burns was offside when he put the ball in the net on 39 mins but at last a good move did produce a finish for Vics in the 3rd minute of stoppage time. Horrocks played a good ball to Mullan whose shot beat Legzdins and was going in the bottom corner but Burns was following up quickly and touched it in himself.

In the first minute of the second half Joynes was given a straight red for a nasty elbow on Welch and it looked set up for Vics to get all 3 points. Byrom put Burns clear but he shot wide and the same player had another chance a few minutes later and shot wide again. Halifax regrouped and probably played better with 10 men than 11. They held possession well and didn't take chances controlling the speed of the game well at times. On the hour a long clearance out of the Halifax half saw both Vics defenders misjudge the bounce and Shaw went clear but Edge attoned for his earlier mistake by getting out quickly and blocking the shot at close quarters. Off the clearance the ball went straight down the other end and Legzdins saved at the feet of Akins. Crowell then shot wide and from then until the dying
minutes one has to give some credit to Halifax for a solid display with a man short and remember all the changes to Vics team which explains why we didn't seriously threaten again until the last 10 – 15 mins. On 76 mins a good run and shot by Mullan saw Legzdins save at the expense of a corner. Off the kick Vics had the ball in the net but, again, were caught offside. Burns fired a weak shot off a Mullan cross and in the 83rd minuite Vics won a corner and saw the subsequent scramble end with another corner. It turned out to be last chance and Halifax came very close to winning it on 86 mins when a classic break saw them 4 on 2 at the back but a poor finish saw Campbell's shot blocked for a corner.

There are good things to take from the game. I thought Burns looked good up front and Byrom was excellent and would be my man of the match. Mullan looked tricky but needs to get that last pass in
earlier and more effectively. For periods of the game the passing was good and, if we can buy that bit of time, it should produce more chances as players get to know each other. Sadly, in the situation we
are in I suppose we have to see it as 2 points well and truly lost.

Edge, Kerr, Belle, Welch, Bowler (Carr 53), Crowell, Byrom, Horrocks
(Hanley 74), Mullan, Akins (Barker 80), Burns.
Subs Not Used: Connett, Meadowcroft.

Official Man of the Match Jamie Mullan