Recap: FC Halifax 1-1 Harriers (3-4 pens)

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HARRIERS produced an outstanding away performance to knock higher-graded FC Halifax Town out of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

The Reds secured their success from the penalty spot, winning 4-3 after deservedly coming from behind to draw 1-1 in normal time.

Despite conceding early, Adam Murray’s side controlled long spells of the contest against the National League play-off chasers and were full value for their eventual success.

Harriers made a bright start, bossing the ball and dictating the tempo, but fell behind on 12 minutes when Halifax broke at pace. David Kawa did well to retain possession before crossing for Kieron Morris, who powered his finish beyond Christian Dibble.

Harriers kept their heads up and on 21 minutes, Sam Johnson punched poorly from a corner and the loose ball fell to David Davis, whose header across goal struck the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

Harriers continued to probe and on 24 minutes Ryley Reynolds won possession inside the area, teeing up George Walker, whose shot was safely gathered by Johnson.

At the other end, Will Smith guided an effort over the bar from a Halifax corner on 35 minutes, while moments later Will Hugill attempted to lift the ball over Dibble on the break, but his effort drifted off target.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Kam Kandola grabbed at a loose ball from a corner on 48 minutes, forcing Johnson into a smart save, before Halifax’s Will Harris slipped while shooting on 54 minutes, sending his effort over the bar.

Harriers kept pushing. Reynolds drove onto the ball and fired just over on 57 minutes, and although Shaun Hobson headed wide from close range on 71 minutes, the visitors’ pressure finally told late on.

The equaliser arrived on 82 minutes. A deep cross into the area was not dealt with and the ball squeezed inside the far post. Joe Foulkes was credited with the goal, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling support.

Halifax threatened late, with Max Wright having an effort blocked on the line in the final minute of normal time, while Harriers almost won it in stoppage time as Reece Devine fired over after a swift break that saw Foulkes lay the ball into his path in the 100th minute of the match.

Harriers will have been boosted by recent shoot-out successes and won’t have feared the spot kick that followed. Halifax even had the advantage after Will Harris scored for the Shaymen and Amari Morgan-Smith saw his effort saved.

Christian Dibble pulled off more twelve-yard heroics, thwarting Johnson and Adetoro, while Davis, Devine and Reynolds all converted for the Reds.

AJ Warburton scored to extend the shootout, but Foulkes stepped up to score the decisive penalty and seal a memorable victory.

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