Matty Pearson fires FC Halifax Town ahead in their 5-0 pre-season friendly victory over Tadcaster Albion
Words and photos by James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
All the match photos can be seen on our Facebook page HERE
Yorkshire’s number one Non League team FC Halifax Town cruised to a 5-0 victory over Tadcaster Albion at Ings Lane last night.
Neil Aspin’s Halifax, who defied expectations to finish fifth in Non League’s top flight last season, fielded different sides in either half with Matt Pearson (2), Ross Dyer (2) and Scott Boden grabbing the goals.
The match was extremely feisty at times and it was reported that Tadcaster defender Matthew Sparkes had lost two front teeth during a challenge late-on.
Tadcaster manager Paul Marshall said: “We got some great fitness levels out of it because we had to work extremely hard against a very physical Halifax team.
“Fitness is what all these games are about. The positives are the ground at the back because it is looking immaculate and the pitch is miles better already than it was last year.
“Halifax are a good team, a very powerful team and they are very fit. That was the difference. They were a lot fitter than us. They won a lot of second balls and they were well-organised.
“But it was a good lesson for us. You want this kind of opposition during pre-season.”
Tadcaster Albion manager Paul Marshall issues instructions to one of his substitutes
Sparkes’ knock was the second injury that Tadcaster picked up after prolific striker Carl Stewart limped off in the early exchanges because of a knee injury.
The game was tight for the opening 15 minutes, but the opening goal signalled the start of almost one-way traffic.
The first goal could have been avoided. A corner was only partially cleared and Tadcaster failed to react which allowed Pearson strike a low long range effort into the bottom corner.
Tadcaster responded with substitute Danny Critchlow sprinting away through on goal. The former Nostell Miners Welfare forward could only hit a weak attempt straight at Matty Glennon.
A win for Halifax was wrapped up before half-time with two further goals. Boden scored from close range from Kevin Roberts’ cross and then Pearson put his name on the score-sheet again with a fine strike that sailed into the top corner.
FC Halifax Town defender Steve Williams was lucky to avoid being sent off after catching Calum Ward with a swinging arm during this tussle for the ball
Instead of more goals, the second half began with tensions reaching boiling point. Former Bradford City defender Steve Williams left Taddy captain Nick Thompson on the floor after one challenge and moments later got involved in another incident.
Williams and Calum Ward tussled for the ball in front of the home dugout and the Halifax player appeared to strike Ward with a swinging arm. Whilst cards are discouraged in friendlies, Williams was lucky to escape without punishment for an act that he would have been red carded for in a competitive match.
The withdrawal of Ward and Joel Dixon brought the temperature down and Halifax were able to close the game off with ease.
Adam Smith, known in North Yorkshire for his time with York City, crossed for Dyer to score his first of the night.
Dominic Marie went close, as did Halifax’s own Paul Marshall, so it was left to Dyer to add the gloss in the dying embers and complete a fine start to pre-season for the Shaymen.
Tadcaster Albion: Reid, Barratt, Milne, Dixon, Sparkes, Ingram, Thompson (captain), Mycoe, Ward, Stewart, Deverdics. Subs: Critchlow, Batley, Banks, Smith, Gallow, Woodhead.
FC Halifax Town (first half): Glennon, K Roberts, McManus, Williams, Ainge, Pearson, Maynard, Marshall, Boden, Peniket, Schofield. Second half: Senior, Bolton, K Roberts, M Roberts, Williams, Wilson, Marshall, Smith, Dyer, Marie, Schofield.
Referee: Gareth Mellor