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Match Reports

Report | FC Halifax Town 2-2 Dale

23 December 2023

Match Reports

Report | FC Halifax Town 2-2 Dale

23 December 2023

Dale picked up a point on the road at FC Halifax Town with a 2-2 draw.

Ian Henderson’s 19th minute strike put Dale ahead, before two goals in four minutes for the hosts, including one from the penalty spot, turned the score line on its head before half-time.

Jimmy Keohane’s sixth of the season midway through the second-half levelled matters, with both sides having chances to win it late on.

There was one change to the starting line-up from last weekend’s goalless draw against York City.

Finlay Armstrong, who joined on a month’s loan deal from Fleetwood Town, announced earlier in the day, came straight into the team, replacing the injured Adam Clayton.

Armstrong joined up with the squad during the week and started at left-back, with Cameron John starting in midfield, where he played the majority of the game against York.

Dale worked themselves into some good crossing positions early on, and after a few attempts that were dealt with by the hosts, they couldn’t prevent the opener.

Jimmy Keohane broke into the area and laid the ball for Jesurun Uchegbulam, who crossed to the back post area.

Tyrese Sinclair leaped to get something on it under pressure from two defenders, with the ball falling for Henderson who slammed home his 144th Dale goal.

The hosts responded well and forced Louie Moulden into action twice from close-range headers, but there was nothing the goalkeeper could do prevent Aaron Cosgrave’s equaliser, when he turned home a low cross from six yards.

The Shaymen took the lead four minutes later, when Moulden has judged to have brought down Max Wright in the area. Jamie Stott stepped up and converted to complete the turnaround ten minutes before the break.

There were a few half-chances for either side early on in the second period, before Dale levelled matters midway through the period.

The hosts’ attempts to build from the back were thwarted by Keohane, who stole it high and drove into the area, skipped past a defender, and finished low with his left foot.

The Shaymen had a great opportunity to restore their leads minutes later when Jamie Cooke dispossessed Ethan Ebanks-Landell on the edge of the Dale area but he rolled his effort wide with Moulden scrambling across his goal.

Dale then had a great chance of their own moments afterwards. Harvey Gilmour, facing his former club, found Uchegbulam with a great through ball, who fired a cross into Henderson. He controlled well but fired his effort off the upright.

Debutant Armstrong flashed one narrowly wide from 25-yards, before the opponents almost got in a couple of occasions but for excellent defending from Ebanks-Landell and Gilmour.

Moulden was called into action again in added time, saving the ball on the line after a low cross was diverted goal wards.

It was the final action of note, as Dale picked up a valuable point against a team in and around them in the league table.

Dale XI | Moulden, Keohane, Ebanks-Landell ©, Nevett, Armstrong, Gilmour, John, Uchegbulam, Sinclair, East, Henderson.

Unused subs | Taylor, Oduroh, Afuye, Edwards, Burgess.


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