A thrilling encounter unfolded at The Shay Stadium as AFC Fylde edged out FC Halifax Town 2-1 in an action-packed English National League match. The game was marked by dramatic goal sequences, tactical adjustments, and a slew of yellow cards, keeping referee Steven Copeland on his toes throughout the evening. This victory marked AFC Fylde’s second win in their last five head-to-head matches against FC Halifax Town.
The match got off to a flying start, with AFC Fylde’s Tyler Roberts breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute. His goal sparked a flurry of activity, and FC Halifax Town responded with a penalty kick in the 39th minute, courtesy of Jamie Cooke. The teams headed into the break level at 1-1, with the visitors having dominated the first half. FC Halifax Town’s performance was characteristic of their strong season so far, which has seen them occupy a top-six spot in the league standings.
The second half saw AFC Fylde regroup and reassess their strategy. Their efforts paid off in the 55th minute when Nick Haughton converted a penalty kick, handing his team a 2-1 lead. This goal proved to be the decisive moment in the match, as FC Halifax Town struggled to find an equalizer despite their best efforts. The win was crucial for AFC Fylde, given their position in the lower half of the English National League table.
As the game wore on, both teams made tactical substitutions in an attempt to gain an upper hand. FC Halifax Town brought on Max Wright, Owen Bray, and Zak Emmerson, while AFC Fylde introduced Max Bardell, Will Hugill, and Danny Ormerod into the fray. The match was also notable for the numerous yellow cards handed out by referee Steven Copeland. Adam Alimi-Adetoro, Tyler Roberts, Ethan Mitchell, Scott High, Ben Winterbottom, and Charlie Jolley all received cautions, highlighting the intense and physical nature of the contest.
In the end, AFC Fylde’s victory was a significant boost to their campaign, as they moved up the table, while FC Halifax Town remained in sixth position. Despite the loss, FC Halifax Town will take heart from their performance, which saw them create several scoring opportunities and push their opponents to the limit.