FC Halifax 0 – 1 Wealdstone
FC Halifax Town0 - 1
WealdstoneDanny Parish’s late-winner saw Wealdstone move up to second place in the National League after a fiery encounter over nine-man FC Halifax Town at The Shay Stadium.
Stones boss Dean Brennan made three changes from the side that beat Altrincham on the weekend, with Connor Smith, Jorome Slew and Ross Lafayette coming back into the starting eleven.
The hosts gave Stones a numerical advantage early on, when Jeff King was sent off following a heavy tackle on Jacob Mendy after just three minutes.
Slew almost made the most of the man advantage immediately after, but he headed over Smith’s crossed free kick.
It was Halifax who had the best opportunity of the first half. Martin Woods’ free kick caused pinball in the Stones area with Neill Byrne eventually poking towards goal from close range, but Harry Isted pulled off a brilliant reactive save to tip round the post.
The early dismissal set the tone for the game with both sides cautious to over-exert themselves physically, meaning every foul was heavily contested. The drama bubbled over to the touchline with both managers sent to the stands just before half time.
The second half was far more subdued but the referee did find time to present another red card in the game. Halifax’s Danny Williams was given a second yellow card on 78 minutes for a foul on Michee Efete on the edge of the box.
Smith then went close for the Stones when his 25-yard effort was tipped over the bar by Sam Johnson.
The Stones finally made the most of their numerical advantage, Moses Emmanuel’s cross was headed out by Luke Summerfield but only to Parish on the edge of the area who smashed in a pinpoint effort.
Wealdstone should’ve added more to the one-goal lead late on through Parish and Dennon Lewis but they were both thwarted by Johnson.
That win moves Wealdstone up to second place in the National League ahead of Saturday’s game against Dover Athletic.
FC HALIFAX TOWN: Johnson, King, Williams, Byrne, Clarke (c), Bradbury, Woods, Summerfield, Green, Hyde (Benn 90), Stenson (Tear 16).
Subs not used: Davison-Hale, Crane, Schofield.
WEALDSTONE: Isted, Efete, Okimo (c), Cawley (Green 35), Mendy, Phillips, C. Smith, Dyer (Emmanuel 60), Slew (Parish 71), Lewis, Lafayette. Subs not used: G. Smith, Wishart.
By Chris Woods
Dean Brennan post match interview HERE