The heavy rain and ubiquitous mist this afternoon dyed a different colour to Myra Shay, the home where Halifax FC women were finally able to return to after weeks of travelling up and down the country for a substitute home ground. The league fixture this afternoon didn’t disappoint the long-lost home side, as the Eagles claimed victory with a convincing 2-0 win over Hull City in this Yorkshire derby, thanks to goals from Eleanor Ashton and Anna Phillips. Our new signing, Maddie Norton, came on during the second half to make her debut for the Eagles.
The Eagles’ attack waves
Halifax FC found their rhythm early in the game and welcomed the away side with a potent attacking spell. As early as the 3rd minute of the match, Ruby Watts delivered a long ball from the back, Danielle Whitham cut in to the penalty box before her cross was blocked. Three minutes later, Dolcie O’Connor’s left-foot direct free kick from the right challenged the opposing goalkeeper for the first time in this match, leading to a corner for the home side, and Annabelle Cass’s header following that was narrowly wide. The 25th minute witnessed Anna Phillips’s long ball from the back found Phoebe Hollin, whose cross flashed across the face of the goal after breaking through from the right. Three minutes later, Dolcie O’Connor’s effort from a tight angle was parried away by the goalkeeper.
Knock, knock, knocking it open
Completely controlling the flow of the game, the opener for the Eagles was just a matter of time. In the 29th minute, Eleanor Ashton received the ball in front of the box, spun away from the defence and fired a powerful shot at the goal. The goalkeeper touched the ball but was unable to keep hold of it, and could do nothing but watch it roll into the net. The Eagles took a 1-0 lead.
Not satisfied with just leading one goal into the half-time break, the Eagles launched an even fiercer attack, looking forward to expanding the lead. Just two minutes later, Phoebe Hollin’s free kick forced a save from the goalkeeper again, two minutes before she set a cut back from the byline to Macy Settle, whose curving long-range attempt hit the crossbar. The Eagles managed to take a one-goal advantage into the second half, but were still hungry for more.
Half Time: Halifax FC 1:0 Hull City
Get the shirts dirty and seal the win
Entering the second half, the away side managed to find their rhythm a little bit. Starting just four minutes, their back-heel shot following a cross was saved by Maddie Crosbie, seven minutes before their striker turned on the ball in the box and forced a save from Maddie again.
The 63rd minute saw Phoebe Hollin deliver a direct penetrating pass into Eleanor Ashton, whose attempt facing the goalkeeper after a forward run was wide. Two minutes later, Hull City’s powerful strike hit the crossbar as well.
In the 77th minute, Summer Horner managed to find Ruby Watts on the left wing, who delivered an early cross to find Phoebe Hollin at the far post, whose close-range finish was high. Six minutes later, Meg Shaw’s long-range effort was parried away, leading to the corner for the Eagles. Phoebe Hollin’s corner landed accurately in the box, and Anna Phillips rose highest and headed it home, sealing the final score to 2-0. Halifax FC reaped what they sowed, earning a well-deserved victory after being dominant throughout the match.
Full Time: Halifax FC 2:0 Hull City
The Eagles will take the joy of their third league win of the season into the Christmas break. We will come back on January 4th next year, on the road facing Stoke City.
Written by Dai Xingzhi