Crompton injury overshadows Halifax Women's FC loss to Liverpool Feds
Halifax Women’s FC fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Liverpool Feds, in a match that saw promising moments overshadowed by a devastating injury blow and a late winning header for the visitors.
The fixture was hosted at the Vestacare Stadium, home of Avro FC, while the Shay continues pitch redevelopment work.
Rob Mitchell named Maddie Crosbie between the sticks, protected by a back line of Ellie Dobson, Anna Phillips, Annabelle Cass, skipper Phoebe Hollin, and new signing Dolcie O’Connor.
Midfielders Summer Horner and Aaron Settle once again formed the central pairing, while another recent signing, Eleanor Ashton, joined Farah Crompton and Meg Shaw in Halifax’s attacking three.
Both teams started brightly, battling for control but struggling to create clear chances in the opening 10 minutes.
Halifax sparked into life on the half-hour mark when Ashton delivered a dangerous ball from the right to pick out O’Connor, who couldn’t quite convert in what was Halifax’s best early opportunity.
But the first half took a sharp turn for Halifax in the closing minutes.
In-form forward Farah Crompton, last week’s two-goal cup hero, went down awkwardly on her left leg.
She was unable to continue, with later reports confirming a fractured tibia on Sunday evening.
Karri Chan was introduced as an emergency replacement, but the injury visibly unsettled Halifax as the half ended 0-0.
Ten minutes after the restart, Annabelle Cass made way for Sheffield United academy defender Ruby Watts.
Despite the change, the visitors began to dominate possession and create more meaningful chances.
Captain Phoebe Hollin continued to marshal the back line impressively, repeatedly stepping in to break up the Feds’ attacks.
Still, Halifax struggled to retain the ball or build patterns of play through midfield.
Late in the half, Halifax were handed a lifeline when Chan’s goal-bound effort struck a defender’s arm just outside the area.
Hollin stepped up for the resulting free kick, firing narrowly over the bar in what could have been the breakthrough the Eagles desperately needed.
Moments later, the punishment arrived at the other end.
Feds’ Emily Cole met a cross with a powerful header, guiding the ball beyond Crosbie to put the visitors 1-0 up.
Halifax pushed for a response in the final minutes, but the Feds held firm to take all three points.