FC Halifax Town 1 Woking 3
Vanarama Conference
16 November 2014


A master-class in finishing led to three more points on the road for the Cards on Sunday afternoon, and took Garry Hill’s side up to third in the table.

It was win number six on the road this season for Woking, Adam Newton trebling his season’s tally with a timely goal double.

But while it was Newts’ finishing that ensured a second straight win at The Shay, it proved another great day for the in-form Giuseppe Sole too.

The Cards striker, replacing last term’s Halifax hat-trick hero Jack Marriott - suffering from tonsillitis - was a threat from the start, and amassed further adulation in this televised encounter through another fantastic long-range free-kick.

Sole’s strike partner, top scorer Scott Rendell, was also a major threat, Chris Arthur made some typical lung-busting runs, while Mike Cestor and Joe McNerney were switched-on at the back.

Neil Aspin's men seemed to have a case of the blues after a tiring week which saw them exit the FA Cup after a close encounter with neighbours Bradford City, then go down to a slim defeat at second-place Grimsby Town in mid-week.

Meanwhile, Hill’s Yellows showed a marked improvement on their damp squib of an FA Cup exit at Wrexham last Sunday, carrying on where they left off in an improved league draw with the North Walians on Wednesday.

The visitors certainly out-bossed their West Yorkshire hosts in every department, and more or less throughout this encounter.

Rendell’s pace, positioning and precision, and McNerney’s long-ball service soon caused problems, while for all their early labour – with Adam Smith a key influence - the Shaymen struggled to trouble the visiting 'keeper.

A powerful Sole cross was headed behind before Cestor’s deep free-kick was headed on by Rendell to his strike partner, 'keeper Matt Glennon doing well to deny him from close range.

But Sole was clearly playing with confidence, and after creating a half-chance for Kevin Betsy, he got the Surrey visitors on the way in the 24th minute with a superbly-taken 35-yard free-kick.

It was another Giuseppe great, Glennon stretching well but unable to prevent the set-piece specialist precisely firing into the top left corner, taking his season's tally to 10 goals.

Glennon did better, however, after Rendell’s fine lay-off played Sole in again, quickly scrambling out to clear.

As Sole, Newton and Clarke waltzed around the home defence, boos rang out from an increasingly disgruntled home crowd, with further indignation voiced after a fine move involving Arthur, Rendell, Betsy and Josh Payne.

Rendell and McNerney were next to put Sole in on goal, Halifax riding their luck, while Sole fed Newton, but the stand-in midfielder couldn’t quite take advantage.

In a rare home attack Scott Boden was caught flat-footed and offside after a ball in from Paul Marshall, and the hosts were about to pay.

The Cards’ creative endeavours bore fruit in the 44th minute, a move started by keeper Jake Cole’s long ball upfield and sparked by a classy one-two between Rendell and Sole.

Newton was in the right place at the right time with his right peg to beat Glennon, after Rendell’s initial strike was deflected across the area for the ex-England U21 international.

Sole might even have added a third before dispirited Halifax could return to the dressing room, hitting the top of the crossbar after running onto a McNerney delivery and losing two defenders, with Glennon beaten.

Half-time: FC Halifax Town 0 Woking 2

Josh Payne’s free-kick caused further home flutters after the break, Kevin Roberts heading away as McNerney hovered.

The Shaymen needed to up the ante, Aspin already making changes, and finally they started to make headway.

Payne was then booked for a tackle on Scott McManus, while Cestor twice had to head away, with a little more action down the home left flank.

But that was about it and the visitors stood their ground, Hill's side soon back on top and Newton wrapping up the points on 59 minutes.

Again, the former West Ham academy player was perfectly placed in the centre, an impressive move involving Rendell, Sole and Betsy feeding Arthur on the left, whose defence-splitting pass was tucked neatly away, Newton with his left foot this time.

The Shaymen stirred into action again as second sub Jamie Jackson joined the attack, a strong run along the byline by Smith cut out by McNerney’s header at close quarters to deny captain Roberts.

Richard Peniket was next to be denied with a header, and the off-colour hosts finally pulled a goal back after James Clarke's challenge led to Jackson going down in the area.

Paul Marshall sent Cole the wrong way from the spot, and Halifax had 18 minutes to stage a comeback.

But there was still a lack of belief out there, Halifax freezing under the TV lights, and Arthur remained full of running on the break.

Cestor and Clarke cleared the next Shaymen attacks, while McManus fired well over.

Betsy made a mazy run through a ragged defence but his final shot was off-target, while Sole’s replacement John Goddard was nearly in after good work by Payne and Rendell.

McManus’ final poor effort on goal and a Marshall centre no one could capitalise on were followed by Cole doing well to stop Smith‘s powerful late effort, gathering at the second attempt.

Halifax’s winless streak had soon stretched to four games, Goddard with the last clear-cut chance after another marauding Arthur run, the 52 travelling fans celebrating the Cards’ first Conference victory in four matches.

Halifax Town: Matt Glennon, Kevin Roberts, Scott McManus, Marc Roberts ©, Adam Smith, Simon Ainge, Lois Maynard, Paul Marshall, Sean McGinty (Danny Schofield 46), Scott Boden (Jamie Jackson 69), Richard Peniket.

Unused subs: Phil Senior, James Bolton, Matty Pearson.

Goal: Marshall (penalty) 72

Caution: Smith

Woking: Jake Cole, Adam Newton, Mike Cestor, Joe McNerney, James Clarke, Theo Lewis, Josh Payne, Chris Arthur, Scott Rendell, Giuseppe Sole (John Goddard 77), Kevin Betsy.

Unused subs: Aaron Howe, Reece Beckles, Oliver Taylor.

Goals: Sole 24, Newton 44, 59.

Caution: Payne


Attendance: 1,415

My MOTM: Adam Newton. Sole was the talisman, and Arthur, Cestor, McNerney and Rendell ran him close, but the 33-year-old adapted well to his midfield role and deserves the credit.