Match Report | FC Halifax Town 2-2 Wealdstone

Wealdstone showed excellent character to mount a late comeback and secure a two-two draw against Halifax Town in their last game before Christmas.

Dante Baptiste was called into action early on as Angelo Cappello found Will Harris unmarked in the box. The Stones’ number one made a smart save with his foot to deny the Halifax attacker.

The Stones were under pressure in the opening minutes, as Cappello was found in acres of space before driving into the box. The winger chose to cross the ball, and Jack Cook had to put in an athletic block to prevent Harris from having a tap-in.

Cappello was involved yet again in the eighth minute, this time finding Josh Hmami with a cross. The opposition attacker produced a finessed effort, forcing Baptiste into a top save, which tipped the ball onto the crossbar.

Sam Cox’s side worked their way back into the game over the next 20 minutes, dominating possession whilst not creating any major chances.

Sak Hassan had the first chance for the Stones just after the half-hour mark. Anthony Georgiou’s free-kick from range fell to Hassan on the edge of the box; his deflected strike almost bamboozled Sam Johnson, but the experienced shot-stopper got a strong hand to the ball.

The hosts were awarded a penalty in contentious circumstances in the 38th minute. Deon Woodman looked to have made a good challenge from behind on Cappello, but the referee deemed that the defender played the man before the ball. Hmami duly converted from 12 yards out.

The final minutes of the first half saw the Shaymen dominate possession and create a few half-chances, none of which particularly troubled Baptiste.

Half time: FC Halifax Town 1-0 Wealdstone

Wealdstone made one change at half-time with skipper Jack Cook being replaced by Junior Tiensia, but this did not stop the hosts from continuing their pressure.

Cappello did well to turn away from the Stones defender and run through on goal. He coolly squared the ball for Cody Johnson, who tapped in to double Halifax Town’s lead in the 48th minute.

The Stones battled to secure a foothold in the game over the next 15 minutes, though it was the Shaymen who had the next big chance. The hosts mounted a precise counterattack, with Jay Turner-Cook playing a deft chipped ball to Owen Bray, who made Baptiste produce another top drawer save.

Hassan whipped a good cross onto the head of Micah Obiero in the 68th minute, but the frontman could not generate enough power to trouble Johnson in the Halifax goal.

The Shaymen thought they had scored a third goal when Max Wright whipped in a fantastic cross for Harris to tap home, but the latter had strayed offside.

79 minutes in, the Stones pulled one back to set up a grandstand finish. The ball was worked well down the left-hand side before Georgiou’s cross into the box caused chaos. Substitutes Daniel Nkrumah and Olufela Olomola had shots blocked before Dom Hutchinson fired in to halve the deficit!

Georgiou and Hutchinson combined again soon afterwards; the left-back’s cross required Hutchinson to produce a volleyed finish, which he could not get on target.

One minute from the end of normal time, Thierry Latty-Fairweather took a shot from the outside of the box, which took two deflections and required Baptiste to make another good stop with his outstretched leg.

Just three minutes from the end of the game, Hutchinson beat his man and put a hopeful cross into the box. It took a massive deflection off the Halifax Town defender, and looped over Johnson into the far corner of the net!

Shaymen substitute David Kawa had a huge opportunity to score a late winner as he ran through on goal. Fortunately for the Stones, the young attacker flashed his effort wide of the goal.

The Stones are next in action on Boxing Day when we host Borehamwood in the Enterprise National League. Buy tickets HERE!

Full time: FC Halifax Town 2-2 Wealdstone

Attendance: 1,285 (76 away)

Wealdstone team: Baptiste, Cook (Tiensia 45’), Woodman, McAvoy, Hutchinson, Mussa, Agyemang, Georgiou, Hassan, Tshikuna (Olomola 77’), Obiero (Nkrumah 77’).

Subs not used: Johnson, Diarra, Turner, Kadji.