Halifax Town kicked off their 2024/25 National League season in fine style, with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home to Barnet.
In an exciting encounter, FC Halifax Town secured a 2-1 win against Barnet in a fiercely contested match that saw both teams battling hard for supremacy. The home team, playing at The Shay, displayed resilience and tactical prowess to edge out their opponents, much to the delight of the 1,634 spectators, including 179 traveling Barnet fans.
Match Overview
The match kicked off with both sides showing early signs of intent, but it wasn’t until the second half that the game came alive. Halifax’s Jamie Cooke opened the scoring in the 50th minute, giving the home side a crucial lead. However, Barnet responded swiftly, with Ben Coker equalizing just five minutes later.
As the tension mounted, Halifax’s Adam Adetoro emerged as the hero, scoring what would become the match-winning goal in the 60th minute. Despite Barnet’s efforts to find another equalizer, Halifax’s defense stood firm, ensuring that the three points remained with the home team.
Key Moments
- 50th Minute: Jamie Cooke finds the back of the net, putting Halifax ahead and energizing the home crowd.
- 55th Minute: Ben Coker responds for Barnet, leveling the score and setting up a tense final half-hour.
- 60th Minute: Adam Adetoro scores the decisive goal, ensuring Halifax regains the lead.
- 22nd Minute: Halifax’s Jack Jenkins receives a yellow card, the first of several disciplinary actions throughout the match.
- 75th Minute: Barnet’s Idris Kanu is booked as the game becomes increasingly physical.
Tactical Changes
Halifax made several strategic substitutions, bringing on Owen Bray, Zak Emmerson, and Aaron Cosgrave to maintain their advantage. Barnet also introduced fresh legs with Joe Kizzi, Harry Chapman, and Finley Wilkinson, but their efforts were ultimately in vain as Halifax’s defense, led by Sam Johnson in goal, held firm.
Final Whistle and Reactions
The referee, Paul Marsden, blew the final whistle after 90 minutes of intense play, confirming a well-earned victory for FC Halifax Town. The win pushes Halifax up the league table, while Barnet will be looking to bounce back in their next fixture.
Despite the loss, Barnet showed moments of quality, particularly with Ben Coker’s equalizer, but they will need to regroup and address their defensive lapses ahead of future matches.
This victory is a testament to Halifax’s growing confidence and their ability to perform under pressure, as they continue to build momentum in the season – they’ll be happy with the three points to kick off their campaign for 2024/25.
