Key wins for Halifax sides

Halifax's men took a giant step towards Premier Division safety when they cruised to a 6-2 home victory over an understrength Sheffield Hallam thirds last Saturday.
Halifax Hockey v Sheffield Hallam III. Michael Jones for Halifax.Halifax Hockey v Sheffield Hallam III. Michael Jones for Halifax.
Halifax Hockey v Sheffield Hallam III. Michael Jones for Halifax.

They dominated the first half and took the lead with a neat deflection from Pete Balmforth.

Jakob Morley’s introduction after 10 minutes saw Halifax increase their lead, as he worked a neat move with Josh Barron, who in turn found leading scorer Michael Jones and the Halifax skipper made no mistake from eight yards out.

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Barron then produced the miss of the season as he shot yards wide with the entire goal at his mercy.

Jones made it 3-0 with a thunderous strike from the edge of the D, before completing his hat-trick with a trademark penalty corner finish.

Sam Spencer made it 5-0 with a close range effort and Halifax went into the break with thoughts of a high scoring second half.

However, that failed to materialise as the visitors stepped up their play and grabbed two goals to put pressure on their hosts.

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Barron made amends for his earlier miss as he slotted home after a fine run from Olly James, before Jones missed with a wild airswing as the game drew to a close.

Halifax Ladies inflicted a first defeat of the season on North Two South East champions Boston Spa with a 5-1 home success.

They were avenging a 3-2 away defeat a week earlier.

Halifax made the perfect opening with prolific striker Dani Parker producing a great finish after a fine through ball from Katie Love.

They continued to dominate with plenty of the possession and Amy March, Kate Walsh and Michaela Holroyde went close.

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At the other end fine defending from Regan Midgley, Leah Kalter, Becca Camp and Katie Love kept Spa at bay.

Steph Jones produced some great play through the midfield in a rare appearance.

A fantastic through ball from Beccca Camp and cross from Regan Midgley set up Kate Walsh to make it 2-0. Walsh added another in similar fashion with a lovely strike after great build up play from Love, Jones and Holroyde.

Parker made it 4-0 before half time with a splendid individual effort, taking the ball past the keeper then slotting home.

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Halifax continued to dominate with Parker completing her hat-trick from a tight angle .

Spa scored from the last play via a spectacular deflection which gave Cassie Barker no chance.

It was Halifax’s best performance of the season and they will hope to finish with a similar display against Driffield on April 7.

More hockey reports and pictures in Friday’s paper.