The supporters team AFC Halifax were back in action this weekend when they faced the short trip to Barnsley. Gaffer John Barker was looking for a reaction from his players after the poor performance against Chester the previous week. With that in mind the team was almost unchanged with a couple of forced changes. Stand in 'keeper Peter Jennings was working so in stepped Martin Probets fresh with his new head of hair and Adam Ramsden returned upfront in place of Adam Probets who was at home rehearsing his singing ahead of his Saturday Matinee as Jack in the panto Jack and the Beanstalk.
AFC started brightly enough and again were trying to play football from the back but the fact the pitch was the narrowest pitch in England where the edge of the 18 yard box doubled up as the touch line didn't help matters. Never the less AFC were trying and in a closely fought first 15 minutes or so neither side had troubled either 'keeper. Halfway though the first half AFC took a well deserved lead. Ramsden received the ball just outside the box on the touch line, lofted the ball over the head of a defender and took on another, it was Reminiscent of the great Paul Gascoigne. Not his wonder goal in Euro 96 against Scotland but more the latter days of his career where he still had all the talent but carried a few extra pounds, never the less it was great skill by Ramsden and his shot may have been heading in but John Luders gambling at the far post made sure.
AFC now had momentum and nearly made it 2-0. Playing the ball out from the back the ball made its way to Andy Hemblys out wide. His skill and pass found Ash Addy on the overlap who drove down the line and his cross found Si Noble who had driven from midfield and his shot forced a fantastic save from the Barnsley 'keeper. Barnsley still posed a threat and Probets had to be alert to make a couple of great saves but AFC went in at half time with a well deserved lead.
Barker made one sub at the break with Marcus Stapley being replaced by Tom Ashton and once again it was an even opening to the half. Within 10 minutes the scores were level. A break from Barnsley saw the ball land and the feet of the nippy winger who finished smartly past Probets. 'I've done ya!' Exclaimed the winger to Barker. 'You should do, I'm 53!' Replied Barker at which point the winger promised another goal. 'Just you watch' he said.
Back to the game now and an evenly matched game was becoming more open and AFC were denied the lead once again. A bit of a scramble in the box saw the ball break on the edge of the box to Addy who's low drive was brilliantly tipped around the post by the Barnsley 'keeper. More changes ensued to make sure every player had s run out and it was one of those who missed a glorious opportunity to steal all 3 points. Another scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Nathan Wright and with the goal gaping, his shot went agonisingly wide.
As the final whistle blew, the points were shared in a game in which a point was probably fair. AFC played some great football at times and the effort was back to what it should be. As for the Barnsley winger and that promised goal, we can only presume he is still out there trying to get it.
AFC are back in action this weekend when they host Telford. With a large squad expected as the afternoon sees the annual Christmas do in which AFC will be match sponsors at the Town game.
