The opposition was Ravenswharfe firsts. It was another glorious autumn day at the snake pit. A late change to starting line-up saw Jonni Sudall replace Dale “Braveheart” Imrie at left back after he tweaked a groin in the warm up. The Snakes started with much optimism after a recent upturn in form but were without leading scorer David Sudall who was still sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered last week. From the start Hall looked the more likely to break the deadlock and were troubling the visitors defence every time they went forward, with Jamie Casey, Callum Bruce and Jonathan Gibson have chances to break the deadlock. The Snakes nearly paid the price for failing to capitalise on their dominance when Ravenswharfe had a chance to take the lead, had it not been for Hall stopper Daniel Hoyle who had been a spectator until this point, who made an outstanding double save. The visitors were obviously buoyed by this and threatened the hall goal for a second time in the space of two minutes and again Daniel Hoyle was colossal and kept them at bay with another fine stop. The Snakes then went back on the attack in search of the opener and a perfectly uted move saw Tom Robinson place the ball right in the bottom corner from the edge of the box, only for the visiting stopper to pull off a world class save and deny him the opener. Shortly after the impressive Robinson was at it again, penetrating the visitors defence with a perfect pass to Jamie Casey who was clean through before being taken out, by arguably the last man, decision was a yellow card and a free kick to Hall. Up stepped Jonathan Gibson who skilfully placed the ball in the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. 1-0 to the Snakes and a deserved lead too. The visitors now had work to do get back into the game and began pressing Hall back. They found it difficult to breach a solid defence of Ash Sheppard, Jonni Sudall , Karl Cartlidge and man of the match Bradley Holt but did manage to win a corner. The corner was delivered and not properly cleared, after a few bobbles it was stabbed towards goal , Andy Hemblys reacted but was unable to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net 1-1, 10 minutes to play in the half. The next 10 minutes passed with Hall again pushing for a second but being unable to take their chances. The visitors found it very difficult the get any rhythm to their game with Hemblys and Captain Chris Dawson keeping the door firmly shut by protecting the Hall defence with the latter pressurising the ball and getting stuck into the away team. The half time whistle came and the score was 1-1, all to play for in the second half. Ashley Smethurst replaced the injured Jonathan Gibson at half time, which saw a change in shape for the home team with Tom Robinson moving into attack. The first 20 minutes of the second half followed suit with first half Hall looking solid at the back and on top but unable to get the decisive second goal. Manager Ben Coates decided it was time to roll the dice, he sent on Jay Clissett for Calumn Bruce in an attempt to get a goal. This paid instant dividends as after a great run and shot by Tom Robinson, Jay Clissett was able to pick up the rebound and slot home a vital goal for the home team. Management duo of Ben Coates and Marcus Williams decided it was time to make their final change and this was to introduce, club Captain Phill Ogden who is back after a long term injury lay off and he replaced Chris Dawson. The visitors knew they had to up their game if they were to get anything from the game and started to break through Halls lines and managed get wide and fire a ball across the box which was turned home from two yards, leaving the keep Daniel Hoyle no chance. Knowing at 2-2 this could be anyone’s game or even penalties both sides looked tentative and frightened of making a mistake , Andy Hemblys was caught in possession and Captain Phill Ogden was unable to recover as the visitors attacker surged towards the hall goal and played a ball across the box which was calmly tucked home. 3-2 to the visitors. Hall knew they has to respond if they had any chance of making it to the 3rd round and this was aided by the referee who sent off an away player for his second yellow. With 5 minutes on the clock plus stoppage time hall pressed with Jay Clisset spurning a good opportunity by snatching at the shot when perhaps he had more time. There was still stime for Tom Robinson to go a run and after beating four players was unable to fire the ball home. That was the last action of the game and this will surely leave a sour taste in the mouths of the snakes, it was a definite feeling of what might of been on a day when they were all Hiss and No bite.
