League

Halifax Stadium
Spectators: 7958 (Terracing: 5970, Seating: 1830, VIP seats: 158) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Mitchell Leach kicked off to start the match. After a rather tough play, Lalla's Nero Haslem got a free kick in the 6th minute. Larry Coleman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Larry Coleman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 13th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The audience was convinced that Bernie Marsland's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Larry Playford was relentless in the 16th minute of the game. An unexpectedly hard shot by Clark Paull in the 18th minute of play forced Halifax's goalkeeper Larry Playford to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 19 played minutes Halifax got a freekick which was hit by Brock Weller. Larry Playford didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Clark Paull went, in the 20th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. The supporters of Lalla booed when Halifax was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 24 match minutes in a wonderful position. Brock Weller didn't get a good kick on the ball. Larry Playford showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Clark Paull, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Halifax's zone, Bernie Marsland stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Larry Playford came out of the goal and Bernie Marsland tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Clark Paull in the 35th minute of play forced Halifax's goalkeeper Larry Playford to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Bernie Marsland sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 42 minutes into the match, Lalla's Clark Paull sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Larry Playford narrowly saved just below the crossbar. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Clark Paull in the 43rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Larry Playford saved Halifax from getting behind. Bernie Marsland's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Larry Playford read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 48th minute of play. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Bernie Marsland might have been able to make a better finish in the 56th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Larry Playford. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Bernie Marsland ran back to his position shaking his head. Battle Blagburn's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 59thth minute, Larry Playford skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Larry Coleman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Battle Blagburn during the 61st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Larry Coleman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 63rd minute. Roger Fison tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Larry Playford made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bernie Marsland in the 68th minute of play. Mitchell Leach charged in rather forcefully in the 70th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Mitchell Leach the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Lalla booed when Halifax was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 70 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mitchell Leach didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Clark Paull had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Larry Playford took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bernie Marsland, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 82 minutes into the match, Clark Paull had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Larry Playford. Halifax's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Clark Paull was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2.