MATCH REPORT | FC HALIFAX TOWN 0-2 BARNET FC

Early goals from Danny Collinge and Callum Stead secured all three points and a play-off semi-final for The Bees against FC Halifax at the Wham Stadium in Accrington.

 

Halifax had the first chance of the game when a curling effort from the edge of the box narrowly went over Josh Keeley’s crossbar.

 

It was The Bees that stung first when Jordan Cropper’s throw found Danny Collinge who opened the scoring after ten minutes.

 

Just three minutes later it was 2-0 thanks to a close range strike from Callum Stead. Stead almost made it 3-0 within the opening 15 minutes but was denied by an excellent low diving save from Sam Johnson.

 

Halifax had two chances to get a goal back the first was headed well wide of the target following on from a deep cross from the home side. Another Shaymen cross was cleared away by Jerome Okimo to deny the home side.

 

Callum Stead was forced off with an injury with five minutes left of play in the first-half, Idris Kanu who scored against Bromley on Tuesday evening took his place.

 

The home side came close again to getting a goal back but the strike inside the Barnet box went wide of the post.

 

HT: FC Halifax Town 0-2 Barnet FC

 

The home side pressed The Bees in the second half and Josh Keeley was called into action early into the final 45 minutes. Keeley’s first big save came five minutes into the half with the Republic of Ireland U21 number one making a great save with his feet to deny the hosts.

 

Keeley was called into action ten minutes later with an excellent one-on-one save at the feet of the Halifax attack to again deny them a goal back into the game.

 

Luke Freeman came on for Gatlin O’Donkor on the hour mark as the game was then paused with the fourth official coming on to replace the referee.

 

The Bees best chance of the half came when Jordan Cropper’s cross found the head of Nicke Kabamba in the six yard box. Kabamba could only guide the ball narrowly over the bar.

 

Zak Brunt had the final chance for The Bees when his close range strike was saved by Johnson.

 

That was enough for The Bees to secure all three points and a place in this season’s play-off semi-finals.

 

FT: FC Halifax Town 0-2 Barnet FC

 

Starting XI: Keeley, Coker (Stevens 90+3’), Collinge, Okimo, Gorman, Kabamba, Stead (Kanu 40’), Hartigan, O’Donkor (Freeman 62’), Cropper, Brunt
Unused Substitutes: Hall-Johnson, Maguire-Drew
Goals: Collinge 10’, Stead 13’
Yellow Cards: Cropper, Hartigan

Attendance: 1,446 (Away: 118)