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Halifax FC earned a point in their first league game of the season as they battled back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 against Stourbridge in an intense game at Liversedge.
By Jack Snaith
Halifax FC Women earned a point in their first league game of the season as they welcomed newly promoted Stourbridge to The Leading Edge Clayborn Stadium in Liversedge. Fans were treated to a very entertaining game, which ended 3-3 with a Halifax equaliser in added time.
Lucy Sowerby kicked off Halifax’s league campaign, and in the second minute of the game The Eagles had the first attack, with a chance for Georgia Stevens which was just wide of the Stourbridge goal. However, it wasn’t long before Stourbridge were imposing themselves on the Halifax defence, putting plenty of pressure on them and forcing skipper Shauna Legge into a clearance after the Glassgirls worked the ball into the box.
After five minutes of play, Stourbridge struck first through Niamh Deasy whose cross into the box took a deflection to fly past Halifax ‘keeper Becky Flaherty and give the visitors an early lead. 0-1 after 5 minutes.
This was answered shortly after, as Halifax equalised through Lauryn Wilcock. Impressive work down the wing from Lucy Sowerby allowed her to cross the ball in, which was volleyed into the net by Lauryn Wilcock at the far post to make it 1-1 after 13 minutes.
Lauryn Wilcock equalises for the Eagles; photography by Rachel Clayton
Stourbridge made it 1-2 in the twenty third minute through their Captain Alex Nicklin, who took the ball past defenders and finishing neatly. The Eagles gave a penalty away shortly afterwards, which was converted by Lois Jefferies as the away side extended their lead to 1-3 after 33 minutes, a steep hill to climb for Halifax to get something out of the game.
Halifax pulled one back shortly before halftime, when in the 43rd minute, Lucy Sowerby unselfishly passed the ball to Darcie Greene as The Eagles raced forward in a two on one. Jamie-Lee Bamford in the Stourbridge nets thought she had tipped the shot over, but it dipped just below the crossbar; a very important goal for Halifax just minutes before half time.
The Glassgirls kicked off the second half where we saw a positive start from Halifax who had started to gain control of the game, before a chance for Stourbridge against the run of play was saved brilliantly by Becky Flaherty, giving Halifax a lifeline. Throughout the second half, there was end to end action, chances for both sides, and some great defending to deny both sides each other.
As the clock ticked down, Halifax piled on the pressure, and were finally rewarded with an equaliser right at the death, as Issy Dean scored in a goalmouth scramble to rescue a point for The Eagles, much to the elation of her teammates and the fans present at the ground.
Seconds later, the referee blew her whistle for full time, bringing an end to a stunning match on a blazing hot afternoon; Halifax FC Women 3 – 3 Stourbridge FC Women.
Darcie Greene pulls one back; photography by Rachel Clayton
Manager Rob Mitchell gave his thoughts at full time;
“We showed unbelievable character to get it back to 3-3.”
Next up: The Eagles are back in action on Thursday night, where they will play Huddersfield Town in a West Yorkshire derby where Halifax will look to give Huddersfield a big game. Liversedge FC, Clayborn Ground, Quaker Lane, Liversedge, WF15 8DF; 7:45pm kick-off.
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