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Rossendale Utd 1 FC Halifax Town 0: Shaymen's winning run ends at Dark Lane
TOWN'S winning run in Unibond One North ended in hugely disappointing fashion as they went down at lowly Rossendale.
Bidding for an eighth straight victory, the Shaymen started brightly and faded alarmingly as they were unable to break down the home side at Dark Lane.
Without the option of loan man Ajay Leitch-Smith due to a pulled hamstring and shorn, in the second half, of star man Junior Brown who took a bang on the head, Halifax struggled.
And, perhaps most worryingly, when they needed to step up a gear they found there was nothing extra there.
Boss Jim Vince will be hoping it was a one-off result and the consolation is that this side remains top of the table, albeit on goal difference from Bamber Bridge with Ossett Albion and Lancaster City just a point behind.
Roared on by the vast majority of a crowd more than 500 bigger than the previous best on the ground this season, the Shaymen were quickly out of the blocks, creating a series of good chances without being able to capitalise.
Damien Allen's cross field pass picked out Brown wide on the left after five minutes, but his low cross was just too far in front of Ashley Stott and Paul Gedman.
Jon Smith's free kick was met by Gedman moments later, but the striker's header looped into home keeper Tom Proctor's arms.
Smith then did well on the left before finding Stott who set up Scott Phelan, but the midfielder's shot was wide of the target.
Town continued to make all the running and when Phelan won the ball in the middle of the park he fed it through for Stott.
The striker raced into the area and was about to shoot when the ball took a vicious bobble and the opportunity went.
A Smith shot from distance landed at Brown's feet, but rather caught him by surprise and he was unable to capitalise.
Tom Williams had got clear in the 15th minute but had been unable to pick out either of two teammates in support.
Matt Ward also got into a decent position but Lincoln Adams's challenge was enough to prevent him from shooting.
And Tony Barras was alert to the danger when Marcus Calvert made a bid for glory 10 minutes before the break.
The first half ended with chances at either end, John Turner's free kick being turned round the post by Jon Kennedy while Allen's diving header from Brown's run and cross was saved brilliantly by Proctor
There was little to suggest at the start of the second half that the game would continue as anything other than a procession.
And Danny Meadowcroft raced out of defence within four minutes of the restart before firing in a shot that failed to match his run.
Cavell Coo started to get into the game, forcing a corner that Proctor did well to pluck out of the air under pressure.
The loss of Brown just after the hour mark forced a change for the Shaymen but it did not prevent them from continuing to make the running.
Phelan's low cross, after Coo's initial effort had been blocked, was put behind for a corner which Allen took and Barras headed over the top.
Then, a couple of minutes later, Stott did well down the right before crossing low and Gedman sent his near post effort flashing wide.
A goal was coming - unfortunately for Town when it eventually came it was at the other end.
Tom Clarkson's initial effort was blocked by Phelan, but the ball rebounded to Williams on the right and when he crossed Marcus Calvert glanced a header into the far corner.
With no Plan B, Town struggled to respond and not until the final few minutes, when Meadowcroft was sent forward to supplement the strikeforce, did they threaten to equalise.
Stott worked his way into the box before the ball ricocheted towards Meadowcroft who was unable to get onto it.
And when Stott sliced a shot from the edge of the area, Gedman got his head to the ball which looped towards goal and was taken, at the second attempt, by Proctor.
MATCH FACTS
Rossendale Utd: Proctor, Clarkson, Derrick, Bailey, Whittall-Williams, Brown, Williams, Turner, Calvert, Atknson, Ward (Dunnan 78). Subs (not used): Clark, Eastwood, Steel, Bailey.
Booked: Clarkson (foul 50)
Sent-off: None
Goal: Atkinson 76
FC Halifax Town: Kennedy, Coo, Brown (King 62), Barras, Adams, Meadowcroft, Phelan, Allen, Smith (Ellis 67), Stott, Gedman. Subs (not used): Ellison, Hinsley, Baker.
Booked: Adams (foul 67), Phelan (foul 85)
Sent-off: None
Goals: None
Attendance: 648
Referee: A C Newell.
STAR SHAYMAN
It was a miserable afternoon for FC Halifax Town with little going right for them when moving forward.
The one shining light was Scott Phelan, who gave another impressive display in the centre of midfield.
He ran from the first minute to the last, passed the ball well and looked as likely as anyone to open up the Rossendale defence.
Alongside him, Damien Allen made a welcome return to the side after injury.
And in the opening 20 minutes, when the Shaymen were well on top, he was the one who got them moving forward.
His crossfield pass to Junior Brown early in the game was a delight and Town might have got something from the match had Tony Barras been able to keep his header from Allen's corner down.
Junior Brown only lasted an hour or so before being forced from the field after taking a blow to the head.
But such is his influence on the side at the moment, you could hear the crowd groan when he departed.
While he was on, Town had a chance as he tormented the home defence.
Phelan takes he three points on offer in our season-long competition with Allen getting two and Brown one.
PLAYER POINTS
Junior Brown 22, Jonathan Smith 16, Scott Phelan 14, Colin Daniel 10, Peter Moore 10, Ashley Stott 9, Paul Gedman 9, Tom Baker 9, Jon Kennedy 6, Cavell Coo 5, Damien Allen 4, Adam Morning 4, Lincoln Adams 4, Steve Payne 3, Nigel Jemson 2, Craig Smith 2, Justin Walker 2, Luke Hinsley 2, Phil Senior 1.
YOU SAY
Not very good. We should be hammering teams like this.We were very poor - BB
Flippin' 'eck boys , nuff said let's not dwell on that debacle. Bring Jemmo back to steady the ship. These things happen. Still on track - town fan
Can't win 'em all. Still going up - Jim Vinceable.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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