Blues fail to bounce back on Boxing Day

The Blues were left to rue a lack of creativity on a sodden pitch as they suffered a second loss in quick succession.

Just before kick-off rain began to fall, leaving Halifax’s pitch looking very different by the final whistle.

Although Gainsborough gave early pressure, the hosts went ahead in the seventh minute from a corner.

Liam Needham’s first attempt was deflected by goalkeeper Jan Budtz, falling to Jon Worthington who shot through bodies and into the net.

The Shaymen levelled their own score in the 12th minute, when a Mark Wilson cross aiming for Darryn Stamp bounced in off defender Liam Hogan, the centre-back’s own goal leaving his ‘keeper Matt Glennon helpless.

The score remained at 1–1 as the ball’s bounce became considerably dampened on a saturated pitch.

Brad Barraclough tried to get his name on the scoresheet but his diving header went narrowly wide on a sudden attack.

However with the last move of the half, Halifax right-back Ryan Toulson played a deep cross to Lee Gregory,and he nodded home to give the home team the advantage.

It was perhaps against the run of play when the hosts made it 3–1 in the second half.

Toulson opened up his account for Halifax after 59 minutes as Gregory left the ball to him on the right-hand edge of the box, the defender firing a low ball into the net.

After doubling their lead, the home side focused on their defense, stifling Gainsborough’s possession with some tight marking.

On 74 minutes Stamp tried a looping header, his speculative effort falling onto the woodwork, much to the home team’s surprise.

In the final minute of injury time Trinity should have had a consolation goal, with Dominic Knowles’ close-range shot immediately blocked by Dan Gardner, and Dominic Roma’s return header going inches wide.

The right-back’s individual efforts came as Trinity’s best chances in the second half, but the hosts’ cover was too tight in unforgiving conditions.

Gainsborough moved down to fifth, with the Halifax reverse fixture taking place on New Year’s Day.

Halifax Town: Glennon, Toulson, McManus, Hogan, Jarrett, Lowe (C), Worthington, Needham, Worsley (booked 28)(Bolland 46), Gregory (booked 43)(Gardner 83), Seddon (A. Johnson 68). Not used: Senior, Marshall.

Gainsborough Trinity: Budtz, Roma, Wilde, Waterfall, Hone (booked 63), Leary (C), D’Laryea, Wilson (Knowles 64), Barraclough (Yates 64), Stamp (Connor 78), Hawkridge. Not used: Nelthorpe, Williams.

Yellows: Worsley, Gregory; Hone.

Goals: Worthington 7, Hogan og. 12, Gregory 45+2, Toulson 60.

Referee: I. Hussain. Assistants: M. Rawcliffe, C. Buxton.

Attendance: 1515.