Date published: 06 April 2010

Monday 5th April 2010

Unibond League Division One North

Rossendale United 0 v 3 FC Halifax Town



Against a team in the running for top spot in the league the last thing needed is to concede a goal in the first three minutes but that is exactly what Rossendale did when Paul Sykes was allowed to side foot home a cross from the left wing.

A few minutes later only the width of the cross bar and a miscue from the rebound prevented Rossendale from falling even further behind and it looked like it was going to be a hectic game for The Dale. Rossendale were then handed a life line when Tom Smith was clear and bearing down on goal only to be brought down but from the resulting spot kick Smith planted the ball wide of the post and the chance was gone.

Another cross from the left saw Halifax add a second goal in the thirty ninth minute as Michael Wilde this time got on the end of it and made no mistake from close range. Rossendale were having little success in their opponents half of the field and it must be said that Hedge in the Halifax goal had a relatively trouble free afternoon.

For the remainder of the game the Halifax forwards were proving a handful for the Rossendale defence but they held firm until five minutes into added time when yet another cross was turned in by substitute Nick Gray to give Halifax a boost in their promotion challenge and Rossendale more cause to look over their shoulder as to scores elsewhere.



Rossendale Team

Tom Brocklehurst, Tom Clarkson, Keith Wedge, Andrew Charlesworth, Jonathan Crompton, Richard Winstanley, David Owens, Ryan Zico-Black

Daniel Shannon, Tom Smith, Danny Ellis



Substitutes

Jack Hoggins (for Ellis), Shaun Williams (for Clarkson), Mark Edmeads (not used), Alex Leke (for Shannon )



Attendance 745