Goals from Smith and Harris see Shaymen end 2025 with back-to-back wins after victory at Tamworth

Will Smith and Will Harris put Halifax into a commanding lead during a superb first-half from the visitors, and they never really looked like losing it after that.

It's now four wins out of five in league and FA Trophy for Town, let's hope they start 2026 as well as they've ended 2025.

Town won their first corner after only 18 seconds, setting the tone for a dominant opening half.

And Will Smith, one of only three survivors from the team that started this fixture last season, scored from their second when Jas Singh was unable to keep out his header.

Everything Town did was with tempo and purpose, and Tamworth were left trailing in their shadows.

Halifax won six corners in the first 14 minutes amid a blistering start, the latest after the impressive AJ Warburton's shot was tipped behind by Singh, with Town making inroads time and again down the right.

Will Hugill and Harris had also had efforts off target, with The Shaymen looking like they had an extra man on the pitch.

Their lead was deservedly doubled when a tackle by the excellent Shaun Hobson turned into a great pass for Warburton down the right, who delivered a superb cross, from which Harris converted at the second attempt.

Tamworth may have been fearing another drubbing after their 7-1 hammering at Solihull Moors, with Town running riot.

The hosts' first effort of the game wasn't until the 35th minute, a tame header off target by Ollie Lynch, by which time they had at least established a foothold in the game, but it still looked a very long way back for them.

Halifax had simply been quicker, sharper and smarter, aerially commanding at the back and winning the vast majority of first and second balls.

It was unrealistic to expect Town's vast superiority to last the whole game, and they came under more pressure after the restart, but the back three of Hobson, Smith and Adam Adetoro were terrific, and led the resistance.

There was at least a bit more fight from the hosts, but it lacked any finesse.

Halifax were more ragged now, weren't keeping the ball as effectively anymore, and their chances had dried up.

Ronan Maher came the closest yet for Tamworth when his lofted effort looped over Sam Johnson and landed on the roof of the net midway through the second-half.

But it was slim pickings for the increased possession and territory the hosts had enjoyed.

After the style of the first-half, Town showed the substance needed to see it out.

Sam Johnson was finally tested with 15 minutes remaining, reacting well to keep out Ben Milnes' drilled shot.

Singh then had to do the same with Owen Devonport's rasping shot late on.

Tamworth: Singh, Cullinane-Liburd, Hollis (Fairlamb 65), Digie, Donkor (Curley 65), Bates, Milnes, Maher, Mols, Lynch (Tonks 80), Duku (Enoru 65). Subs not used: Rachel, Rye, Kurtaran.

Shots on target: 2

Shots off target: 4

Corners: 2

Halifax: Johnson, Smith, Hobson, Adetoro, Warburton (Latty-Fairweather 90), C Johnson, Hugill, Cappello, Hmami (Turner-Cooke 77), Devonport, Harris (Kawa 88). Subs not used: Ford, Mills, Tarima, Bray.

Scorers: Smith (3), Harris (19)

Shots on target: 6

Shots off target: 7

Corners: 11

Attendance: 958 (178 away)

Referee: Gareth Thomas

Town man of the match: Could have been any of Town's back three, who were all magnificent. I'll go for Will Smith after getting his side off to the perfect start.