Last Minute Winner Hands AFC Victory In Epic Encounter

<p>AFC Halifax hosted Ipswich for the inaugural game for the John Barrett memorial shield, in aid of the British Heart Foundation.<p>With all players from both teams generously donating to play and raising a grand total of £330 for the Charity.<p>As a further mark of respect AFC’s Alex Barrett, Johns son, was named captain for the game.<p> In the dressing room John Barker took a step back from his usual managerial duties to let Heaton and Casalino pick the team, and subs (this was due to a lack of sleep the night before when he was trying to figure out how each player could play an hour during the game).<p> Both teams got off to a strong start with Fawkes providing the best of the attacks when his lob in the first 5 minutes hit the crossbar.<p>Level play continued with both teams threatening however it was the Tractor boys who broke free and claimed first blood when some sloppy defending allowed a cross to be converted at the back post from close range, which was described by the blues captain as “Ronaldo like”.<p>Debatable.<p> AFC dominated for the next 5 minutes and it was Fawkes who levelled the score on the 20th minute mark.<p> The Ipswich defender, and Francis Rossi look alike, made a mistake which put Fawkes one on one with the keeper making no mistakes this time Fawkes fired home for Halifax.<p> Mere minutes later, however, Ipswich struck back, a corner was awarded, the resulting set piece went straight to scouse keeper Harry who found himself flapping the ball into his own net and scoring the first AFC own goal of the day.<p>It was then quickly 3-1 when the Blues striker, who must have thought he was audition for the new series of Splash!, rounded the AFC shot stopper only to produce a dive Tom Daley would have been proud of, the bench and spectators showed their approval with a string of perfect 10’s the referee was clearly impressed, and although a slot on the next series was never going to happen, a penalty was awarded, and duly despatched.<p> Play began to slow down and the 5 Halifax substitutes were edging to get into the action approaching the 30 minute mark.<p> Then, an Ipswich clearance found Higgins, as always dominant in the air, this time his header played Fawkes through on goal again who made no mistake in closing the gap.<p> Stand in manager, Stapley, made the changes for Barker which saw: a very excitable Ashton, AFC golden boy Noble, birthday boy Peacock, new recruit Hemblys and straight from the theatre Probets all enter play.<p> These changes slowed the tempo of the game however it was Halifax who found rhythm when and started creating a plethora of problems.<p> However the closest they came to scoring was when some good work from Addy in the oppositions penalty area set up Hemblys who, had visions of his worldy goal against Ipswich at world net, struck from 30 yards out with only the angle crossbar and post denying him the equaliser.<p> At half time real manager, Barker, had a few words stating where is the work rate and the AFC spirit which the lads took on board and onto the field.<p>Straight from kick off Luders found himself 1 on 1 with the imposing Ipswich keeper although he had nothing to worry about as Luders forgot how to work his legs and how to kick a ball, leaving the ‘keeper to gather the loose ball.<p> It was Ipswich who then had the best spell of play for the next 10 minutes when a copious amount of chances was converted by non other than AFC’s Lee Cassalino to make the score 2-4.<p>Yes, another own goal! However, after a kick up the backside it was Halifax on top once more.<p>With Ashton and Man of the match Adam Ramsden proving to be hard work for the Ipswich defence.<p> On the hour mark it saw the 5 subs who came off in the first 30 minutes to replace Barker, Heaton, Luders and Ramsden.<p> Fat Probets had decided his recent ankle injury wasn’t able to play another 30 so Scott-Peters was to continue in goal for the full game.<p> AFC started to enjoy a lot more possession and flowing play.<p>It wasn't until Stapley made the decision to swap Rookie Callum and excitable Ashton onto different wings that AFC converted there next chance.<p>It came when Callum found himself with space and ran into the box, nudging the ball to Casalino who fired home from just outside the area and corrected for his previous mistake in a great fashion.<p> Golden Boy Noble then seemed to get frustrated with the referees decisions and just ran into him, keeping him on the deck, for no apparent reason.<p>John Barker, now on the sideline, rapidly going off his favourite.<p> It was Callum again who provided AFC with the next run of play which resulted in an equaliser when he latched onto a through ball from Peacock and equalised from 6 yards out in the 85th minute.<p> Five minutes later, and with the game looking like ending in a stalemate, a long ball forward from A.<p>Probets to Hemblys’ head, Hemblys chased down his own flick on, and rounded the keeper and rifled the ball into the net from a tight angle securing victory for the shaymen! Final score 5-4.<p> Overall a great game of football for a great cause which saw AFC Halifax come out narrowly as the first champions of the John Barrett shield.<p>Must have been something in the water….