Much was made of this grudge match as Hall faced Rangers on the moor. Surely the victory was in the bag? Well Hall had other ideas... and don't call me Shirley.
With no recognised keeper and two of the starting 11, smethurst and clissitt, dropping out of the squad after a night on the bevvy. The self sabotage had begun.
The role of goal keeper was giving to utility man Jamie 'the tiger' Casey, meaning a rate start Bradley who was cheered on from the sidelines by his baby girl Ava who fitted in perfect with the rest of his teamates by crying every time her dad touched the ball.
Kick off, and after a solid start Hall took the lead from a set play after 10 minutes. A free kick from deep was place into the danger area by captain, Drakes. The ball was met by Halls own Peter Crouch (Gibson) who, on the volley lobbed the keeper. No robots in the celebration but a very well taken goal. 1-0.
It was a scrappy game with chances for both teams. Halls main threat was coming from set plays with chances for Crouchy and Miles from a free kick and corner respectively.
Makeshift keeper, the tiger, who had a thankfully quiet first half was beaten on the stroke of half time. A rangers corner was partially cleared by hall and the ball rebounded around the box, of the post and bundled into the net. 1-1.
Half time Stanton on for Bradley.
The game continued in the same scrappy fashion and on 50 minutes Cartlidge brings down Dawson in the box and the ref gives a penatly. Scores by Rangers who take a 2-1 lead.
Hall had half chances to try and even up the game with Crouchy putting a free kick into the wall and a forcing the keeper to make a good save after latching on to a through ball.
Hall tried hard to play football but nothing was coming of for the team. 55 minutes had gone and Coates had miraculously still not scissor kicked or lunge unnecessarily into a challenge.
"58. Ben, crunching tackle on byeline. Yellow card."
The yellow card came with an injury to himself which later ment he took the role of goalkeeper and unleashing "the tiger".
Halls determination to shoot themselves in the foot continued when they conceding possession from a throw in, a hopeful through ball from Rangers caused Imrie, who was having an awful game, problems. Miscommunication as keeper Coates called for it but the clearance rebound of Imrie on shin and the ball went into the open goal. 3-1 Rangers.
Hall began to press more now. Maybe this had something to do with the unleashing of the tiger. The last ten minutes were full of chances and a Casey corner in the 83rd minute was scrambled in the box and a shot from Hall's own Chris Samba was sumhow kept out and keeping the game at 3-1.
The last five minutes proved a fiesty affair.
Firstly, there was a straight red for Rangers for swearing at ref after a crunching tackle from Drakes. Hall then pushed forward and claimed another goal back through Gibson.
3-2. Against 10 men, five minutes left, and the best striker in the league who was looking for back to back hattrick. What could go wrong?
"88. Gibby slapped Dawson round the back of the head...Straight Red"
Game finishes 3-2 to Halifax Rangers. Tune in same Bat-time next week to find out more.
