Team Photo

Halas welcomed Sedgley White Lions West to Hurst Green for their first encounter of the season, with the away leg called off earlier in the season. Sedgley’s reputation preceded them, with their players being described as, well, let’s just say over physical. These rumours were certainly way of the mark, as this was a fair physical game, with Sedgley perhaps showing the strength and physical prowess that the Halas team lack.

Sedgley won the toss and elected to swap ends giving Halas the kick off. Both teams had early chances with only seconds on the clock forcing both goal keepers into early saves. On  2 minutes Sedgley headed into the hands of Cowdell from a throw in and on four minutes Williams’s overhead ball found Widnall who shot just wide of the Sedgley left post. On 7 minutes the referee played the advantage after Gardener handled the ball but Sedgley blazed well over the bar. On 9 minutes the game was delayed after an injury to a Sedgley defender. Williams chased the ball into the penalty and at the same time he struck the ball the defender put a leg in and felt the impact of the shot. The shot went over the bar and the defender fell to the floor bringing the game to a halt. Following a five minute stoppage the game resumed with Sedgley pegging Halas back into their half. On 14 minutes Sedgley fired another shot over the bar and on 15 minutes Halas struggled to clear their lines with corner after corner putting them under pressure. Eventually Sedgley made them pay shooting into the roof of the net from close range for the first goal of the game. (0-1: 17 mins). On 19 minutes Williams headed the ball just wide of the Sedgley right post from a throw in by Sidebottom. On 20 minutes Widnall crossed the ball in from the left to Chatwin, who had time to control, but opted for a first time shot from just outside the area, which went wide. On 21 minutes a shot by Sedgley, from the left, was saved at the near post by Cowdell but on 22 minutes Halas fell further behind. A well executed turn and shot on the edge of the area found the back of the Halas net. (0-2). On 23 minutes Williams knocked the ball down for Sidebottom but his shot was well wide of the right post.

Halas made a second half substitution, replacing Chatwin with Scofield. With only 30 seconds of the half gone the Sedgley defender, injured in the first half, felt the full force of a Widnall thunderbolt, blocking the ball with her head. There were concerns from both benches but the defender dusted herself off and got on with the game. On 28 minutes Sidebottom attempted to lob the ball over the Sedgley keeper, who was well off his line, but he just managed to get his fingertips to the ball. Scofield followed up but she put her shot into the side netting. Halas kept the pressure on and with 29 minutes gone Williams played the ball into Sidebottom but his shot was well saved by the Sedgley keeper. On 31 minutes the referee awarded Halas a free kick for handball. From near the half way line on the left, Gardener played the free kick high into the Sedgley area and with the ball dropping over his shoulder Williams volleyed the ball past the Sedgley keeper. (1-2). Halas were back in the game and continued to look for the equaliser with Williams connecting onto a kick out from Cowdell, which was fractions wide of the left post, but as they pushed on gaps opened in their defence and on 34 minutes Sedgley restored their two goal lead. (1-3). On 37 minutes a foul by Halas afforded Sedgley a free kick on the right, midway between the half way line and the Halas goal. The free kick was well struck but fortunately for Halas it skimmed the top of the cross bar and out for a goal kick. On 39 minutes Gardener provided a cross for Williams, which he volleyed into the arms of the Sedgley keeper. A minute later Sedgley put the game beyond Halas. A shot from the right took the slightest of deflections and whilst Cowdell was able to get his fingertips to the ball he couldn’t keep it from going in. (1-4: 35 mins). On 21 minutes Chatwin, back on the pitch for Widnall, pulled the ball back for Gardener to have a shot but he was off target. On 24 minutes Scofield shot from close range but only into the side netting. The match finished 4-1 to Sedgley.

A new formation, a renewed desire and the unwavering support of their fans helped Halas to return to winning ways. No self recrimination, just pure determination to put things right by the Halas players helped secure the double over Bilbrook Juniors. Last weeks ‘blip’ was just that and the ecstasy on the player’s faces at the final whistle was clear to see.

Halas kicked off the first half, kicking from left to right. They went into an early lead when Widnall fed the ball through to Williams in the area, who shot low, from a tight angle, into the net. (0-1: 2 mins). As in recent games Halas’s lead did not last when the Bilbrook attackers went unchallenged in Halas’s area and although goal keeper Cowdell made the save, the ball unluckily slid under his body and bounced up into the goal. (1-1: 4 mins). On 5 minutes Scofield was unceremoniously pushed off the ball on the right earning Halas a free kick. Gardener stepped to take but his shot was wide of the left post however, Gardener got a second chance when Williams was tripped on the left, about two yards outside the area, but the Bilbrook keeper brilliantly palmed the ball over the crossbar. From the corner Sidebottom headed just over. On 10 minutes Halas restored their lead. From the left Williams’s lay off found Widnall and from just outside the goal area he unleashed an unstoppable shot, past the Bilbrook keeper who didn’t see it coming. (1-2:). On 16 minutes Bilbrook nearly caught out Halas but Cowdell was equal to their shot collecting at the left post. In the 19^th minute Halas’s marking let them down again. Bilbrook played in a corner which was headed in at the far post, levelling the game. (2-2).Within one minute Halas went ahead once again through Vine in defence. Williams squared the ball to Widnall whose effort was cleared to the half way line where Vine picked up the ball. Vine met the ball in a central position, just inside the Bilbrook half, and his beautifully struck shot flew into the net. (2-3: 20 mins). Halas were lucky to hold on to their lead when Bilbrook broke from the kick off and thundered a shot against the crossbar. On 22 minutes Widnall and Vine did well to dispossess Bilbrook and stop a break on goal when their team mates lost the ball in attack. On 24 minutes Williams broke through the middle but just allowed the ball to run from his control but Scofield was on hand to collect and from the right corner of the area she fired across the Bilbrook area but it went wide of the left post. The half finished 3-2 to Halas.

 Bilbrook began the second half strongly and a shot with just two minutes gone went just over the Halas crossbar. A minute later Cowdell got down well to gather at the feet of the Bilbrook attacker. Halas were soon in control again and in the 33^rd minute increased their lead to two goals. Having just kept the ball in play Cowdell launched a quick kick out towards Williams. He gave chase and under the pressure of the tracking player neatly placed the ball to the left of the advancing keeper, which dropped just inside the left post. (2-4). On 39 minutes Bilbrook nearly punished Halas again with a header at the far post from a corner but the ball was over. Halas put the game beyond Bilbrook in the 42^nd minute. Scofield crossed the ball in from the right and found Sidebottom at the far post who directed the ball into the goal. (2-5). On 46 minutes Cowdell made an excellent save from a Bilbrook shot diving to his left to put the ball around the post for a corner. On 49 minutes second half substitutes Chatwin and Taylor combined. Chatwin played Taylor in following a run down the left wing but Taylor snatched at the ball and his shot went well wide of the left post. At the final whistle Halas were the winners.

It had never been seen before at Hurst Green, the Halas manager lost for words to describe his team's inadequate performance. From the high of last weeks drubbing of Kewford Eagles East to the low of conceding four goals to Dudley Town was painful to watch.  A total second half collapse by Halas enabled Dudley to romp to victory and leave Halas in a state of bewilderment.

The game began with both keepers active in the first minutes but it was Halas who capitalised from a corner in the 4^th minute. From the left Gardener thumped in a corner, which hit the near post. Gardener regained possession, collecting the ball back on the left, but this time the angle afforded him an opportunity to shoot, driving the ball across the goal and into the net. (1-0). Halas’s lead lasted less than a minute with Dudley replying instantly. Dudley breached the Halas defence but Cowdell was unable to keep the ball out from the initial shot but it was Dudley who responded to the loose ball and levelled the score. (1-1: 5 mins). Halas almost replicated the response but Williams’s shot lacked power for an easy save by the Dudley keeper, dropping to his right. On 9 minutes Widnall shot on goal but again the Dudley keeper was equal to it, catching the ball comfortably. On 12 minutes Halas were forced into making a change when Williams failed to recover from a studded knee. Chatwin took his place on the left of midfield. Halas continued to hunt for their second but even one of Widnall’s missiles on 18 minutes failed to trouble the Dudley keeper who parried down and gathered. On 21 minutes Scofield received a corner ball and fired a shot in but a Dudley deflection put the ball out for another corner. On 24 minutes a shot from outside the area by Widnall failed to make the target, going wide of the right post. At half time the scores remained level at 1-1.

 Halas began the second half but within 3 minutes of the restart they were behind through some poor marking. Dudley attacked down the right, which Halas broke down, but a poor clearance gave Dudley possession back and the resultant cross into the far post was met perfectly, putting Dudley into the lead. (1-2: 28 mins). On 30 minutes Williams shot wide of the right post. The game quickly switched to the Halas goal area with another Dudley attack, however the head of Cowdell kept them in the game after Dudley fired in from near point blank range. Cowdell fell to the floor clutching his face and with the Halas bench fearing the worst they responded immediately but Cowdell recovered to continue. On 34 minutes Dudley cleared Gardener’s corner which Scofield gathered just outside the area, but she blazed her shot over the crossbar. On 35 minutes Cowdell was called upon again with Dudley forcing him into a two handed save. On 38 minutes Dudley increased the gap to two, firing in low from the right past Cowdell. (1-3). Halas’s poor marking was allowing Dudley chance after chance and shouts from the sidelines to mark players appeared to go unheard. On 39 minutes Dudley should have scored again with an open goal begging but the shot hit the post. They frustrated Halas with the defence competently breaking down their attacks. Halas’s chances were sparse in the second half and it was 18 minutes into the half before they got another chance with Taylor shooting wide of the left post. The last five minutes belonged to Dudley with Halas pegged back into their half. On 45 minutes Dudley sealed the win when they dispossessed Halas coming out of defence and with Halas pushing forward Dudley fired home their fourth. (1-4). On 46 minutes Cowdell was called upon once again, parrying a shot wide and on 50 minutes a shot from the left found the side netting but Cowdell had the post covered. Had Dudley taken their chances they could have conceivably scored six or seven goals so the Halas entourage were glad to hear the final whistle on a disappointing performance.

Halas put last weeks disappointing cup exit behind them with a goal fest against Kewford Eagles East. Only their goalkeeper didn’t make it onto the score sheet in a completely one sided game.

Halas got proceedings underway and went straight into attack, which was a sign of things to come, as they dominated the game. Within 5 minutes Taylor put Halas in front, finishing into the corner of the net after Sidebottom had avoided the two challenges and played him in. (0-1). After 10 minutes the pressure began to tell with Gardener benefiting from a Sidebottom through ball, poking the ball into the corner. (0-2). On 12 minutes Sidebottom got his first of the game after latching onto Gardener’s throw in and rifling home from long range. (0-3). On 15 minutes Scofield ran through the centre of the pitch, riding two Kewford challenges, to slot home underneath the keeper. (0-4). Halas were in fine form and the goals began to flow. On 16 minutes Scofield ran the wing with her resultant shot striking the post but Taylor was well placed to put home the rebound. (0-5). On 21 minutes Sidebottom received back his own corner and made no mistake in dispatching his shot into the corner. (0-6). On 23 minutes Gardener’s corner fell to Chatwin who struck a good shot, which the keeper parried. The ball fell to Taylor, who is deadly from close range, and he duly completed his hat-trick. (0-7). With his confidence now soaring Taylor struck again. On 25 minutes, after a fine individual run, he finished off putting the ball beyond the keeper. (0-8). There was time for great a interchange of passes between Sidebottom and Scofield, which resulted in Scofield crossing into Chatwin who controlled the ball and slotted home. (0-9).

The second half continued in much the same way with Gardener running through to stroke the ball in on 27 minutes. (0-10). In the 30^th minute the Kewford keeper could only parry Sidebottom’s shot into the path of Taylor who capped his day off with is 5^th goal. (0-11). On 32 minutes Widnall replaced Gardener and on 34 minutes Williams replaced Taylor. Widnall made an instant impact when the ball broke to him and he curled his shot into the corner. (0-12: 35 mins). A minute later he benefited from a quick throw from Chatwin who passed to Scofield. Her crossed ball found Widnall who smashed home his second. (0-13). On 37 minutes Widnall nearly completed his hat-trick after his fine shot struck a post, but this time Williams was the recipient, slotting home from close range. (0-14). On 39 minutes Williams made a good run down the left wing and put the ball on a plate for Sidebottom to slide the ball in for his hat-trick. (0-15). On 42 minutes Gardener came on for Chatwin. On 43 minutes Scofield scored a wonderful individual goal. She ran down the right beating two players before dispatching the ball into the net. (0-16). On 45 minutes Vine decided to get in on the act when he finished off well after the ball broke to him in the box. (0-17). The scoring was completed on 46 minutes with Gardener completing his hat-trick after Scofield’s hard work down the right side teeing him up. (0-18).

Halas left the Glassboys ground with an overwhelming sense of loss on two fronts. For the second season in a row Halas failed to make it beyond the quarter final stage of the league cup and to round off the day they lost a player following an outrageous outburst by a parent.

With defender Harry Vine unavailable for selection the Halas manager was forced to make several changes to his team. Alex Gardener moved into defence and James Williams played on the left of midfield. Thomas Widnall took his place up front.

Halas won the toss and elected to change ends giving the Glassboys the disadvantage of playing into the low morning sun. Glassboys got the game under way and shaded the early possession whilst Halas took their usual two three minutes to get into the game but having done so they went into an early lead. Glassboys failed to clear a corner and from three yards out Williams pounced on the loose ball putting Halas ahead. (0-1). The Glassboys responded a few minutes later with a long range shot but it was an easy save for Cowdell but a fortuitous goal on 9 minutes brought them level. The Glassboys crossed the ball over from the right towards the Halas goal, which looked an easy gather for Cowdell, but for the head of Gardener, who inadvertently deflected the ball into the top left hand corner of the Halas goal. (1-1). On 13 minutes a Glassboys free kick, awarded for a push by Widnall, was inches wide of the left post and on 16 minutes Halas found themselves under pressure, unable to dispossess the Glassboys, and just as they were about to pull the trigger Williams slid in and the ball was cleared. On 17 minutes Scofield ran onto a Widnall through ball but it wouldn’t come down quick enough and she was forced to header the ball wide of the left post. On 18 minutes the Glassboys played in a dangerous corner which Cowdell palmed against their player and out for a goal kick. On 19 minutes Halas, who had been under the most pressure, hit back with another Widnall wonder goal. Scofield was provider, playing a ball into his feet and from 2-3 yards outside the area he unleashed a thunderous shot high into the goal. (1-2). On 23 minutes a foul by Williams gave the Glassboys an opportunity to bring the score level but the shot was easily watched out of touch by Cowdell. On 24 minutes Halas were awarded an indirect free kick for a pass back, which the goalkeeper picked up just in front of the near post. Williams played the ball back to Widnall but the shot was off target ending play for the first half.

The second half began with some frantic goal action at both ends. On 27 minutes Sidebottom broke through but his shot was easily saved and on 28 minutes the Glassboys saw a shot tipped around the right post by Cowdell. On 30 minutes Vine saw an ambitious effort from the halfway line go well wide but Halas kept the pressure on with Sidebottom feeding Williams a through ball into the area but his shot was deflected out for a corner. On 33 minutes the Glassboys equalised through a simple tap in from a corner making Halas pay for some poor marking, which has been open to scrutiny in recent weeks. The Glassboys were in the ascendancy and began to control the game. Halas made a substitution on 16 minutes in the hope of freshening up the attack, replacing Widnall with Taylor. On 17 minutes the Glassboys broke down another Halas attack but with their players committed forward the Glassboys were able to counter and with a neat through ball they were through on goal Cowdell was off his line and saved but the ball bounced off the Glassboys attacker and into the net putting them in the lead for the first time. Halas pushed on looking to get back into the game but even with the fresh legs of Chatwin they couldn’t get the goal to force the game into extra time and Cowdell was called upon to make two saves as the game opened up for the Glassboys but at the final whistle it was the Glassboys who were victorious.

Halas welcomed Sedgley White Lions East to a bitterly cold Hurst Green. Kick off was delayed ten minutes as some of the Sedgley players had lost their way. The wind was blowing left to right and having won the toss Halas elected to kick off giving them the advantage of the wind.

Halas, as we’ve come to expect lately, started strongly and should have gone into an early lead through a shot on the left by Sidebottom but he could only find the side netting. A few minutes later Widnall, starting his first game as a striker, powered a shot from long distance but it was straight at the Sedgley keeper who saved easily. On 5 minutes Halas took the lead through Widnall for his second of the season. Scofield’s crossed ball from the right found Widnall just inside the area, who turned and fired the ball into the net. (1-0). On 7 minutes White was in on goal but his shot was blocked , the rebound falling to Sidebottom whose shot was saved by the keeper. The Sedgley keeper again thwarted Sidebottom in the 8^th minute, diving to the right to save his low drive. Widnall, with his ability to strike a ball with great power, seemingly with little effort, was encouraged to shoot with every available chance. On 11 minutes another hand stinger was launched in the direction of the Sedgley keeper but again he was equal to it. On 12 minutes Halas increased their score to two. Sidebottom crossed the ball in from the right finding Gardener unmarked in the penalty area, on the left. Gardener smartly placed the ball across the Sedgley keeper and into the right hand corner of the net. (2-0). On 14 minutes another Widnall pile driver was blocked and again Sidebottom was on the end of the loose ball but his effort fell into the clutches of the Sedgley keeper. On 18 minutes Sedgley should have got back in the game. A Sedgley corner was only half cleared by Halas and the follow up was just narrowly wide of the left post. This inspired Sedgley to a late surge and on 21 minutes they breached the Halas defence but their goal keeper Cowdell was quickly off his line and saved bravely on the edge of the area.

Halas began strongly in the second half and within 3 minutes Scofield put them further ahead. Following a magnificent run down the right and into the area it looked as if Scofield was running out of room, but from the tightest of angles, she directed the ball past the Sedgley keeper at the near post. (3-0). Sedgley responded but luck wasn’t on their side, as a shot hit Halas’ left post. On 30 minutes Halas made their first change, replacing Widnall with Williams shortly followed by Gardener for Chatwin. On 38 minutes Williams should’ve scored, putting his low shot wide of the left post. With Sedgley in possession on the right the home linesman failed to see the ball go at least one foot across the touch line and allowed play to continue. With the Halas defence caught flat footed, Sedgley, through on goal, tucked the ball past a disappointed Cowdell who was looking for his 9^th clean sheet of the season. (3-1). The second half was disjointed and Halas found it difficult to get their passing game going, reverting to the long ball however, Halas restored their three goal lead in the 46th minute. A shot just inside the area by Williams was well saved by the Sedgley keeper but Scofield was on hand and unmarked two yards off the goal line and volleyed the ball into the roof of the net (4-1).

Halas Hawks Dynamos travelled to Titford Road for the return match against Legion Lions. Buoyed by their recent form of eight games without loss, Halas were looking to consolidate their position in the league and keep the pressure on the teams above them. Legion needed the points to stay in touch with the teams at the other end of the table.

With the weather conditions vastly improved on recent weeks, the playing area was in excellent condition. The Lions kicked off the first half but were quickly under pressure as Halas settled the quickest. Scofield put Halas ahead on 5 minutes when she ran onto Williams’ lay off from the left and smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the area. (0-1) Halas continued to dominate and with ten minutes gone they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area for a trip on Williams. Gardener stepped up to take the free kick but the Lions wall did it’s job and blocked the shot. On 15 minutes, Scofield’s pace caught the Lions midfielder out when she accelerated down the right flank, her speed bringing the inevitable foul for a mistimed tackle. Gardener took the free kick but yet again the defensive wall blocked and cleared the ball away. Scofield’s shot on 17 minutes was just wide of the mark and on 18 minutes Scofield’s crossed ball was met by Widnall, coming in on the near post, but it was on his weaker right foot and the shot went wide of the post. Sidebottom’s shot from distance on 19 minutes was inches wide of putting Halas two up but it was from one of several corners that Halas increased their lead. A corner on the left was taken by Gardener and the Lions cleared at the near post but only to Williams and from five yards, fired the ball into the net. (0-2: 22 mins) Sidebottom, who was controlling the game from midfield for Halas, should have further increased Halas’ lead when a shot from the edge of the area went just wide of the left post. The last action of the half was a well struck shot by Williams but the Lions keeper was equal to it, diving to his left to deny Halas another goal.

The second half saw the Lions start strongly. Only two minutes in they were through on goal with only the keeper between them and a moral boosting goal, but Gardener’s last ditch tackle made sure the ball was put out for a corner. On 30 minutes the Lions keeper easily saved a rare header by Scofield, which was directed straight at him. Halas scored their third goal on 31 minutes when a persistent Williams chased and lobbed a shot beyond the stranded Lions keeper. Halas made their first change on 10 minutes, replacing Williams with Taylor and he was unlucky not to get on the score sheet within a minute of coming on, volleying Gardener’s corner just wide of the near post. Halas were soon attacking again, this time with White pushing out of defence down the right flank from where he fired in a long range shot, which he deserved to score, but was just wide of the left post. In the 38^th minute the Lions were denied a goal by Halas goal keeper Cowdell who saved well to his left. Halas maintained control of the game having a good percentage of the possession and on 42 minutes scored their fourth. White worked hard from midfield and his shot from the right, just outside the area, was goal bound, but poacher Taylor was on hand to make sure and turned the ball into the net. (0-4) On 43 minutes Sidebottom and Chatwin combined well to find Scofield unmarked in the box but her shot was wide. On 45 minutes the Halas defence were slow to close down the ball, allowing the Lions space to launch a shot from the edge of the area, which Cowdell would not have saved, but unluckily for them it hit the left upright and out. On 46 minutes a cross from the left was whipped in by Chatwin which was met by Taylor’s head but it was wide. White was provider in the dying minutes but Taylor put his through ball wide of the post.

Halas dominated the game throughout with the Lions only able to create two or three real chances of scoring which is a credit to the hard working defensive duo of Harry Vine and James White who was back at his best. Lewis Sidebottom and Constance Scofield commanded the midfield, a key partnership for Halas. Both the strikers got on the score sheet which bodes well for the up and coming games, when the opposition will become more difficult.

This was likely to be the last competitive match between these two teams as Millfields intention is to join the Bilston League next season. Both managers and the parents will miss this fixture, as they are always competitive and entertaining matches with plenty of goals.

Considering the recent weather conditions, the pitch was in excellent condition and although it was still raining, the temperature was mild for the time of year, which was welcomed by both the players and spectators.

Millfields had a full squad of players available, as did Halas following the absence of James White and Lewis Sidebottom last week.  

Millfields won the toss and elected to change ends to take early advantage of the sloping pitch, kicking right to left. Halas got the game under way but soon found themselves under some early pressure. This was compounded on six minutes when a goalkeeping error by Cowdell provided Millfields with a goal scoring opportunity. A high shot by Millfields, towards the right post of the Halas goal was parried into the area when the easier option would have been to put the ball out for a corner. The ball fell to the Millfield attacker who made no mistake and buried the ball in the Halas goal. (1-0). Slowly Halas began to get in the game and on 11 minutes they equalised. A shot on the edge of the Millfields area by Sidebottom was deflected up and was met by the head of Williams who headed the ball beyond the keeper. (1-1). Millfields continued to have most the possession but the Halas defence stood firm and on 24^th minute they went into an undeserved lead when Sidebottom avoided the challenges of two Millfields defenders and slid the ball home from a tight angle. Halas finished the half 2-1 to the good.

Millfields got the second half under way but Halas, with the advantage of the slope, were soon showing the sort of football we have come to expect from them. Some excellent passing down the pitch by Halas put Millfields under some extreme pressure, and at one point Millfields struggled to get out of their half. Millfields continued to have their chances in attack but the defensive duo of White and Vine kept them to a minimum. It took fifteen minutes of the second half before the next goal went in, scored by Scofield for Halas. Second half sub Widnall fired over a corner which went through a crowd of players in the box and finally to the feet of Scofield whom quickly stabbed the ball towards goal and into the corner of the net. (1-3: 40 mins). Five minutes later Millfields brought the score back to 2-3 when Halas failed to close the ball down in their area allowing Millfields a close range shot on goal which Cowdell could not have seen coming. This gave Millfields some hope of getting a point and giving Halas the jitters but three minutes later Halas responded with the goal of the game. From at least three yards outside the box Widnall was encouraged to shoot, and shoot he did. His thunderous shot smashed against the underside of the crossbar and down behind the goal line giving the keeper no chance. The ball bounced back out into play and had the referee not awarded the goal at that point Taylor was on hand and put the ball in the net from the tightest of angles. (2-4: 48 mins). 

 This fixture always makes for entertaining football and today we were not let down. Perhaps the fairer result was a draw as it was a game of two halves, the sloped pitch playing its part. Again, Vine and White dominated the Halas defence and only when White tired in the second half, having been out through illness, did the manager need to start making changes. The midfield and forwards combined yet again, demonstrating their passing, movement off the ball and vision. Millfields are a physical side and on their first half performance deserved a share of the spoils. They will be playing in the Bilston league next season so this fixture will be very sorely missed. Good luck to them for the reminder of this season and the next.     

From the start, Halas dominated possession and Scofield caused the Kingswinford defence no end of trouble with Sidebottom providing numerous through balls to put her in some great positions.

On 4 minutes, Widnall passed the ball into the left hand side of the penalty box where Taylor hit a first time left footed shot, which the keeper blocked, but Scofield was on hand to smash home the ball into the empty net. (1-0). Halas continued to dominate with Widnall playing many dangerous balls into the box for Taylor but he was always just a fraction away from adding more goals. On 10 minutes, Kingswinford had their first look at goal hitting a powerful long- range shot but Cowdell did well to save at his knees. On 15 minutes, Sidebottom finally got his reward when he collected the ball just inside the Kingswinford half. He advanced a couple of yards and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top right hand corner of the net. (2-0). On 16 minutes, Widnall produced a shot from the left side, which had plenty of power, but the keeper did well to parry it out to the edge of the area from where the follow up by Sidebottom was blazed wide. On 20 minutes, Scofield received the ball from White; she turned and tucked a lovely cross-field through ball into the path of Taylor who, with the keeper advancing, dinked the ball over him with his first time shot. (3-0).

For the second half Halas made a change, replacing Taylor with Williams up front. The second half continued where the first finished, with Halas failing to capitalise on some nice build up play. On the 30^th and 33^rd minutes, Halas made more changes with Gardener and Chatwin replacing Widnall and White respectively. On 37 minutes, Vine played a ball into Chatwin who knocked it into the path of Gardener. He ran through and hit a shot from the edge of the area, which the keeper did well to parry but unfortunately for him, straight into the path of Scofield who made no mistake in dispatching the ball into the roof of the net. (4-0). On 39 minutes, with Kingswinford staring to tire, Williams was put through from a tremendous ball by Sidebottom but from four yards he snatched at his shot and pulled it wide however, this seemed to spur him into life and on 43 minutes he made a run across the front of the area where he was hacked down. Free kick specialist, Gardener thundered his unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner. (5-0). On 45 minutes Williams wriggled his way into the box only to be upended by the defender. Scofield was given the chance to complete her hat-trick and although she struck the ball well it went narrowly wide of the post. On 47 minutes, Gardener crossed in a terrific corner, which was met by Chatwin on the volley and into the bottom corner of the net. (6-0). Halas continued to push forward, which was always going to give Kingswinford the opportunity to breakthrough. On 48 minutes, they did just this but Cowdell was quickly off his line to save with his legs but the ball fell to another attacker who hit the rebound towards the empty goal. Vine did superbly well to get back, blocking the ball and clearing. On the stroke of full time Gardener sent over another dangerous corner, which after a goalmouth scramble, fell to Chatwin who side footed into corner of the net. (7-0).      

Following last weeks win over Hagley in the league cup, Halas were confident of a repeat performance but Hagley spoiled the party. They had a game plan and stuck to it. They worked hard defensively and had a few good chances to score. It was pretty much the same for Halas who struggled to produce some of the football we have come to enjoy, although they too had their chances. The weather conditions were far more favourable this week and the pitch was in excellent condition.

Halas got the match underway and should have gone in the lead within minutes. Williams passed the ball off to Scofield on the right but she lashed at the shot and the ball went well over the crossbar. On 5 minutes, White saw a long distance effort blocked in front of goal and the follow up by Sidebottom was easily caught by the keeper. On 6 minutes, Vine thwarted a Hagley attack but moments later a super strike by Hagley bounced off the underside of the crossbar but the ball fell the wrong side of the goal line and Cowdell collected. On 8 minutes, a corner from Gardener found Scofield unmarked in the box but the keeper saved her rising shot. On 9 minutes, Hagley breached the Halas defence but under pressure from Vine the attacker could only get a soft shot away, which was easily collected by Cowdell. On 11 minutes, a speculative long distance shot by Sidebottom went wide of the left post. On 14 minutes, Hagley should have taken the lead but Cowdell was equal to the shot palming the ball away to his right. A short period went by where neither team could create any chances, with both defences working well.  On 23 minutes, Hagley cleared a Halas corner but the ball fell to Scofield whose low driven shot went wide of the right post. A minute later Sidebottom launched another long range shot towards goal but the keeper remained firm and collected the ball in his arms.

The second half got off to slow start with the first chance goal taking an age to develop. The right boot of Scofield met a cross from Gardener but her shot was blocked. On 30 minutes Halas were awarded a free kick for a trip on Williams. Midway between the goal and halfway line, Gardener stepped up, fired the ball straight into the Hagley wall, who cleared it away. On 36 minutes, Williams a ball into the box from the left, Scofield collected but was off target. On 38 minutes, Halas allowed Hagley a shot from the right but it went wide of the right post. Both teams kept plugging away and on 44 minutes a through ball from Sidebottom put second half sub Taylor through on goal but there was just too much pace on the ball and the keeper collected. Both teams had several more half chances but they could have played all day and not scored. The game finished, as it deserved, with a 0-0 score line. 

 The Halas manager was certainly disappointed at the end of the game. Even his half time dressing down couldn’t persuade his player to start playing the type of football they are trained to do. Take nothing away from Hagley, if they had a game plan it worked! They frustrated Halas the whole game and were unlucky not to have walked away with the points. One highlight was the excellent performance by Harry Vine in defence who has been banging on the door for the player of the match award. Today, he deservedly picked up the award for the first time this season. Halas have been scoring freely this season, with this being only the second game this season they have failed to score. Halas take a three week break for Christmas so look forward to the game against Kingswinford in the New Year.

A patient performance by Halas, in what can only described as demanding conditions, earned them a convincing victory for a place in the quarter finals for the second season running. Having rain for most day during the week the pitch was very soft and with temperatures only a few degrees above zero all the players were going to have to work really hard.

For the first fifteen minutes neither side could find the back of the net but it was Halas who had more of the chances. Hagley had their opportunities but Cowdell made a couple of great saves to keep them out. The first goal for Halas came on 15 minutes. Williams, on the edge of the area, laid the ball back and Sidebottoms’s low shot towards the left corner couldn’t be kept out by the Hagley keeper. (1-0). Halas’s next goal came in the second half when a loose ball from a Halas corner found Sidebottom unmarked on the edge of the area. (2-0: 33 mins). On 40 minutes Sidebottom completed his hat-trick with another low drive from outside the box and put Halas in control. (3-0).Halas’s player of the match Constance Scofield got the final goal. Sidebottom laid the ball off to the right where she picked the ball up and after a run on goal she powered the ball past the Hagley keeper. (4-0: 46 mins). The Hagley keeper was an outfield player standing in, but you wouldn’t have known it, having pulled off a string of fine saves. Clearly their player of the match.

Another superb performance by Halas against a strong Millfields side. The Millfields goalkeeper was kept very busy and had he not been in such fine form they would have gone home the victims of a rout. Yet again Halas created plenty of chances and kept the oppositions to a minimum.

Halas made just one change to their starting line up, replacing Williams with Taylor following his excellent performance last week.

Millfields kicked off the game and within 30 seconds of the start, Halas gave them an early insight into the sort of pressure they would be under. White latched onto a defensive clearance by Millfields, striking the ball low and hard from distance but his shot went wide of the left post. In the second minute Scofield blasted a close range rising shot directly at the Millfields keeper who did well to block it with his arms. Halas kept the pressure on and in the 3^rd minute, a corner from Gardener fell to Sidebottom midway in the Millfields area. With his back to goal, he swivelled and shot the ball towards the left corner of the goal but the goalkeeper dived down to his left to make a great save. In the 5^th minute, a ball into the Millfields area from Gardener was too much for Taylor as he desperately stretched for contact on the ball. From the goal kick, Millfields went on a run down the right flank but Vine came across and put the ball into touch. Halas maintained the early pressure and in the 7^th minute, a shot by Gardener went wide of the left post. In the 9^th minute Scofield played an intelligent ball through to Gardener but there was too much pace on the ball. On 10 minutes, Millfields got their first corner of the game. Vine and White combined well to thwart a run down the left flank at the expense of the corner. Millfields played a low ball into the near post but Cowdell was down to collect. Both teams continued to look to break the deadlock but it was Halas in the 14^th minute that came up trumps. Gardener’s corner found Scofield in the box and she buried a low shot into the corner of the net. (1-0). A minute later Halas made their first change, replacing Taylor with Williams. Williams was soon in the thick of the action earning Halas a free kick. Gardener powered the free kick into the Millfields area, which was met by the head of Williams, but his header hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced on the line for the Millfields keeper to collect. On 16 minutes, Scofield had a shot saved by the keeper who then put Millfields into attack, playing the ball down the right flank but Vine was there to put the ball out to allow Halas to regroup. On 19 minutes Williams was fouled again. Gardener’s free kick brought another great save from the Millfields’ keeper putting it out for a corner. Gardener played the corner in but Sidebottom could only strike the ball off his knee and out for a goal kick. In the 20^th minute Millfields were unlucky not score a goal which would have been in contention for goal of the season. Cowdell’s kick out made the half way line from where Millfields fired the ball back in, a high looping shot, which dipped down just the wrong side of the crossbar. In the 21^st minute, a third free kick for a foul on Williams led to Halas’ second goal. Gardener went for goal, but the Millfields keeper made the save with the loose ball falling to Scofield who played a neat pass into Sidebottom who neatly tucked the ball away for his first. (2-0). Millfields responded two minutes later to bring the deficit back to one. From a very tight angle on the right, Millfields low cross took the slightest of deflections, enough to but the ball beyond Cowdell. (23: 2-1).

  Halas got the second half underway and in the 27^th minute they restored their two goal cushion. Williams ran the ball down the left from where he played a square ball into the Millfields area. Sidebottom, who was in acres of space, rifled the ball low into the bottom right corner of the goal. (3-1). On 29 minutes Williams went on another run down the left but his left footed shot was saved by the diving keeper. On 30 minutes, Millfields failed to close Gardener down allowing him a shot from distance, which was just inches wide of the left post. On 32 minutes, the Millfields keeper saved Scofield’s low shot following her run down the right flank, but the loose ball fell to Sidebottom who completed his hat-trick. (4-1). On 33 minutes Millfields had an opportunity to pull one back but Cowdell saved and Vine cleared the loose ball away from the danger area. Immediately the play switched to the other end with Halas winning a corner. Gardener placed the ball high into the Millfields area from where Williams powered a header into the net. (34: 5-1). On 40 minutes, Halas made a substitution, replacing Williams with Widnall. Halas were awarded another free kick, this time for high feet, about three yards outside the area. Gardener stepped up to take but his effort was wide of the right post. Millfields had another chance to pull one back in the 41^st minute when Halas failed to close down the advancing Millfields player but the shot was poor. Millfields came again seconds later but Vine made sure they were no threat, clearing the ball out to the touchline. Millfields still kept the pressure on, with Cowdell saving another shot on goal in the 47^th minute. Halas had the last chances of the game. After an excellent passing move, Gardener put his shot wide of the left post and on 50 minutes Sidebottom’s blocked shot was to be the final action of the game with the referee blowing for full time.

This was a great win for Halas against their rivals Millfields FC. The standard of football from the Halas team was exceptional and they have now proven to themselves that they can produce these high standards against strong opposition. Millfields had only lost one game until today, which shows they are contenders for promotion and no walkovers. A mention must go to the Millfields goalkeeper for his outstanding performance. Had it not been for his high quality goalkeeping today Millfields would have been on the end of a double figure drubbing. More often than not, it is the midfield and strikers that take up the ink space but today, against a strong side, Vine and White stood out with a magnificent performance in the Halas defence. It is clear to see that Vine’s defensive abilities have improved tenfold since joining the team. He jockeys players away from the danger areas, he can make those important last gasp tackles and he reads the game well, to put the ball into touch when required. White, often the most impatient in training, showed today he is disciplined and robust, making it difficult for any player to breach the Halas defence. However, the overriding factor is the understanding they are developing between each other, trusting each other to carry out their role. They will play a very important role in the outcome of the Halas’ season.

Unfortunately, this was one of those matches where one team rejoices in scoring fourteen goals whilst the other goes home cold and disheartened. Halas were a far superior team, hence the amount of goals scored and with Kingswinford limited to one half chance the game was not one for the neutral.

Halas made a couple of changes for this game with Gardener replacing White behind the midfield, Chatwin was given his first start of the season taking Gardener’s place in midfield. White was named one of three substitutes.

The conditions were not ideal for the young players, with a cold wind blowing and clouds that looked like they were about to release a weeks worth of rain on the pitch. Kingswinford got proceedings underway and after only a minute they were one behind. Gardener fired in a low corner from the left, which should’ve been easily collected by the goalkeeper, but the ball went straight into the net. (0-1). On two minutes a shot by Sidebottom was saved and both Scofield and Williams pounced on the loose ball from close range but it was Scofield who got the touch to put Halas two up. (0-2). The football became rather scrappy and for eleven minutes there were no goals but it was Halas who had all the chances. On 4 minutes, Sidebottom’s shot from outside the area was narrowly wide. On 8 minutes a run and shot by Williams went wide of the left post. A short time later Williams squared Sidebottom’s pass into the Kingswinford area but Scofield’s shot only found the side netting. Scofield made amends in the 13^th minute when she scored her second. (0-3). On 17 minutes Kingswinford got their first corner, indicative of Halas’s domination of the game. Williams scored Halas’s fourth goal, slotting away Sidebottom’s neat through ball. (0-4). On 20 minutes a run down the left by Chatwin was finished off with a strong left footed shot but he only found the side netting but he made up for his miss two minutes later when he fired in a shot from the left following another strong run at the Kingswinford defence. (0-5).

 Halas made a couple of changes for the second half. Taylor replaced Williams upfront and White resumed his role sitting behind the midfield. Gardener replaced Chatwin on the left wing.

 Halas got the second half underway and within two minutes they were six up. Gardener and Taylor combined setting Sidebottom up for a shot outside the area which he blasted beyond the Kingswinford keeper. (0-6). A minute later Taylor was unlucky not to  get on the score sheet when he neatly directed a crossed ball with the outside of his left foot, but the keeper made the save. With the weather conditions deteriorating and the Kingswinford fight fading, Halas went for the jugular. On 28 minutes another poorly defended corner kick taken by Gardener, curled it’s way into the Kingswinford goal. The keeper got the slightest of touches but was unable to keep it out. (0-7). On 30 minutes a poor kick out by the cold Cowdell in the Halas goal allowed Kingswinford a shot on goal but he more than made up for his error when he dived to his right to put the ball out for a corner. Sidebottom scored his second on 32 minutes from a ball provided by Gardener (0-8) and his third on 35 minutes when Taylor played the ball square to Sidebottom in the area. (0-9). On 36 minutes Sidebottom ran onto White’s layoff to convert his fourth. (0-10). On 38 minutes Scofield scored her hat-trick, tucking away Taylor’s through ball. (0-11). On 39 minutes a powerful left footed shot by Widnall, a second half sub, was excellently gathered by the Kingswinford keeper. On 40 minutes Taylor got his first of the game when he ran onto a lose ball and placed it pass the keeper. (0-12). A minute later, an unmarked Taylor received a quick throw from Widnall. Taylor avoided one challenge and his low shot found the back of the net. (0-13). Halas had several more chances before White made it fourteen. The keeper should have saved his rather tame shot at goal but the ball went under his body and into the goal. (0-14).    

 Hats off to the Kingswinford management who turn out every week to give these kids a game of football, some may have given up by now. Kingswinford can be proud of their willingness to keep going when there was no likelihood of them getting back in the game. Halas played well today with some of the fringe players doing extremely well. Taylor has been patient and after today’s performance he fully deserves a starting spot. Chatwin has also proven that he is more than capable of coming on and bolstering the team with some excellent runs down the left flank, one of which resulted in a goal. Widnall came on with about fifteen minutes to go. He made some great passes and had a couple of shots himself in what was only his second game. Halas need to take stock as they have a difficult home tie next week against a strong Millfields side.

Important Note to Halas Parents: Unfortunately, mainly to wet paper and cold hands, the notes are not very clear as to who scored some of the goals. The referee confirmed the score was 14-0, which corresponds to the notes made. The above report is based on the notes made, not who was thought to have scored the goals. However, the manager has awarded the goals as follows: Scofield 3, Sidebottom 3, Gardener 3, Taylor 2, Williams 1, White 1, Chatwin 1.

Halas cruised into the third round of the league cup with a convincing win over Kewford Eagles South. The pitch, at Himley Cricket Club, was in excellent condition, probably the best in division two. Halas had a new addition to their team having had his signing confirmed