Joe Lolley superstrike sinks Halifax

A professional Harriers performance saw off the newly promoted and in-form Halifax, thanks to goals from Michael Gash and Joe Lolley.

It was an open start to the game with both sides looking to make a decent chance out of their respective possession.  This was until Joe Lolley won a corner for the Carpet Men.  Danny Jackman lofted the ball in and it fell to Jamie Grimes, who put his shot wide despite only being a few yards out.

Jackman was the next to miss after good work from Lolley on the left set him up, but his shot went horribly wide of the post and failed to test goalkeeper Matt Glennon.

However on the twenty first minute the game had its first goal, scored by Michael Gash.  Lolley refused to give up on the attacking move and, after making a decent challenge, he laid the ball in Gash's path and the striker swivelled beautifully which set him up for his powerful finish past Glennon with the ball going in off the far post.

The Shaymen looked to respond quickly and Matt Pearson capitalised on a rare stray midfield pass and fired a powerful effort right at Nathan Vaughan.  Fortunately for the Harriers the rebound was hit well over the bar.

As half time loomed both sides had one more chance to change the score line.  First it was Anthony Malbon for the Harriers as he picked the ball up and hit a fantastic effort from range which just beat the far post.

The Harriers were left to thank goalkeeper Nathan Vaughn for the score remaining 1-0 though.  Pearson hit a goal bound strike well from outside the area but the Harriers stopper did well to get down and fingertip it away at full stretch.

The Harriers started the second half the better with the midfield trio of Danny Jackman, Callum Gittings and Lee Fowler running the play, as they were in the first half, with the latter being the stand out playmaker.  However the Halifax defence were dealing comfortably with the attacking threat posed.

The lead was doubled ten minutes into the half though as Joe Lolley fired in a worldie.  Fowler picked the ball up in the centre of the park and spread it out brilliantly to the right wing, where Lolley was.  The youngster beat his man and, cutting inside, he then hit a twenty five yard effort which would've beat any goalkeeper in the world.  The curl on the ball kept it away from Glennon and made sure it hit the top corner expertly.

This killed the game somewhat as it allowed the midfield to keep the ball and control the game, limiting chances for both sides.  Even though Jack Byrne, Amari Morgan-Smith and Marvin Johnson came on they could not inspire the team to get a third gola, even though they didn't need too.

The game finished and left the defeat at Dartford on Saturday a distant memory, as well as lifting the Reds into third position, thanks to Alfreton's loss on the road.

The Carpet Men now only have three days to prepare for the Aldershot game, moved to Friday to show live on BT Sport.

The fans will be looking forward to another dominant midfield display against an impressing Aldershot, held back by their points deduction.  Joe Lolley should have done enough to push his way into the team after his Man of the Match performance and the outstanding goal which will not escape his, the fans memory and the numerous scouts watching, in the near future.

 Goals for Harriers: Gash 21, Lolley 57

REFEREE:

Mr B Toner Lancashire