Blank day in Devon leaves Shaymen struggling Town missing knockout blow

Halifax Town With 'Courier' football writer Dave Fletcher

Exeter City 0 Halifax Town 0.

Saturday 12 January 2002.

ON another day, Town might have picked up only their second win ever at St James' Park after creating more chances than their hosts.

But they will have been pleased with a clean sheet - their first since the end of November - and a point against an Exeter side that started the day in 10th place. They might have ended the day two points adrift of the pack following Carlisle's stunning 6-1 win over Leyton Orient, but the display was something on which to build for the first of five games in a fortnight starting with Saturday's visit of Lincoln City to the Shay. Alan Little's men rarely looked in danger at the back with Barry Richardson having to make just one meaningful save in the entire game. His handling from crosses and corner was impressive and he got good protec- tion from central defenders Graham Mitchell and Matthew Clarke who made a couple of important challenges. Chris Clarke returned on the right to good effect while Mark Jules snuffed out the threat posted by Christian Roberts traditionally Exeter's danger- man. The midfield also worked well with Steve Bushell and Craig Middleton doing the donkey work for Robert Herbert and Paul Harsley - the most fouled man on the field pushing - Halifax forward. The only thing missing was a goal and both Gary Jones and Steve Kerrigan went closer than any home player to breaking the deadlock. Town might have been ahead inside the opening minute of the game despite having conceded a corner after just 12 seconds. The ball was cleared upfield for Herbert who waited before releasing Jones, but his attempt to lift a shot over Arjan Van Heusden failed and the ball bounced back off the keeper, onto Jones and behind for a goal kick. Exeter responded with shots from Graeme Tomlinson and Martin Barlow, neither of which troubled Richardson. And that was pretty much it for the opening quarter apart from a fine piece of sportsmanship from Steve Bushell whose lack of antics following a bad challenge from Christian Roberts almost spared the City man a booking.

The home side lost keeper Van Heusden after 25 minutes he had received treatment earlier after strug- gling to claim a corner under pressure from Matthew Clarke. But his replacement Stuart Fraser might as well have stayed on the bench for the work he was asked to do before the break. At the other end, Matthew Clarke's outstretched leg denied Steve Flack as he raced onto an Andy Roscoe pass, Mitchell headed clear from under the bar and Chris Clarke did enough to prevent Flack from connecting with a Roberts cross. The only time Richardson was called into action was in the 39th minute when he had to be alert as Chris Clarke headed a long through ball back towards his own goal.

As in the first half, Town opened the second period with a shot on goal, although Herbert's effort from the edge of the area after good work by Jules and Harsley, was a couple of yards over the top. Flack, frustrated at the lack of opportunities his side were creating for him, clattered Richardson to the ground in an attempt to reach a free-kick. And in a week when players have been firmly under the spotlight for their behaviour, he did himself few favours by gesturing first to the keeper then to the Town fans behind the goal. The challenge did not affect Richardson who claimed a Roscoe cross through a crowd of players and then pushed a 15- yard shot from the same player away from goal at full stretch. That was the sum total of real Exeter pressure as Town fin- ished the game strongly. Kerrigan crept into the six yard area to flick on a Harsley free-kick but the ball went wide, but while they played some nice possession football they never really hurt the home home side. There were a couple of moments of anxiety in the clos- ing minutes as Graeme Tomlinson fired over when well placed and City claimed a penalty when Chris Clarke challenged Sean McCarthy. But maybe Town's luck is changing after a bad run because referee Mick Fletcher never looked like pointing to the spot.

Match Facts 

Exeter City

1 Arjan Van Heusden
2 Neil Whitworth
5 Chris Curran
10 Martin Barlow
11 Andy Roscoe
14 Steve Flack
15 Barry McConnell
17 Graeme Tomlinson
18 Alex Watson
27 Glenn Cronin
28 Christian Roberts
Subs
24 Stuart Fraser (for Van Heusden 25)
6 Mark Burrows (not used)
7 Jay Richardson (not used)
9 Sean McCarthy (for Roscoe 80)
12 Paul Read (for Roberts 68)

Goals: None

Bookings:
Barlow (foul 50), Flack (foul 70)

Sent-off: None

Halifax Town

13 Barry Richardson
12 Mark Jules
16 Matthew Clarke
15 Graham Mitchell
5 Chris Clarke
2 Paul Harsley
27 Steve Bushell
19 Robert Herbert
7 Craig Middleton
10 Gary Jones
9 Steve Kerrigan
Subs
22 Peter Crookes (not used)
8 Neil Redfearn (not used)
3 Dominic Ludden (not used)
11 Craig Midgley (for Kerrigan 87)
18 lan Fitzpatrick (not used)

Goal: None

Bookings:
M. Clarke (persistent offending 56), Kerrigan (dissent 65),Middleton (foul 84)

Sent-off: None

Attendance 2,764

Referee:
M Fletcher (Worcestershire)