The Internet Mariners headed west to Halifax for their very first meeting with AFC Halifax, who themselves are in their inaugural season in the IFA.

Unfortunately for the Mariners they started off slowly, with Halifax doing most of the attacking and only some last ditch defensive tackles and some fine work from returning ‘keeper Grant Johnson kept the Halifax attack at bay. The Mariners had lined up with slight re-shuffle from previous games, with Sean Rodwell taking the holding midfield role and Jonny Artis slotting into the back four at centre back, for his first game of the season. Despite the changes the Mariners weathered the early Halifax storm and started to mount some attacks of their own. However, despite their increased pressure the Mariners couldn’t seem to find the final ball to unlock a well-organised Halifax defence. Midway through the first half Halifax went on the attack and it was with a long through ball that the Halifax striker managed to open the scoring. The striker held off the challenge of centre back Richard Beal and coolly slotted the ball past advancing ‘keeper Grant Johnson. 1-0 to Halifax. For the next few minutes Halifax threw everything at the Mainers, and unfortunately it was at this stage that the Mariners conceded a penalty, the second in consecutive weeks. Again, the “offender” was Sean Rodwell, who gave away the previous penalty at Peterborough. Whilst there was no argument last week, the award was slightly harsh this week, with the attacker playing a through ball and then running into the defender, however the decision was made. Fortunately for the Mariners, the penalty taker must have felt sorry for them, as he proceeded to blast the ball yards wide of the Mariners goal. A let off for the Mariners and they eventually held out until halftime, with the score at 1-0.

Another slight re-shuffle at half time due to injury, with the “new” strike force of Bob Graves and Craig Nuttall and Lee Woods slotting into the left side of midfield. With nothing to lose, the Mariners attacked Halifax from the off and only a combination of last ditch defending by Halifax and a poor final ball from the Mariners kept the score at 1-0. However, the Mariners are made of stern stuff and it seemed only a matter of time before the breakthrough came. Eventually a cleared ball forward by Sean Rodwell, found Craig Nuttall close to the edge of the Halifax penalty area. A very neat flick around the close marking defender allowed Bob Graves to pounce and his shot ended up in the corner of the Halifax net. 1-1 and game on as both teams went in search of the next goal, which given the close nature of the game was probably likely to be the winner. Unfortunately for the Mariners, Halifax scored that goal. A decent run by the Halifax left winger who put in a cross to his striker, who in turn finished smartly at the near post. The Mariners were more the slightly aggrieved with the goal as both the scorer and another of the Halifax players were in offside positions when the ball was crossed, however despite their protests to both the linesman and referee, the goal was allowed. The Mariners threw players forward for the remaining minutes of the match, but to no avail and the equalising goal never came. The Mariners keeper, Grant Johnson was however called into action shortly before the end when he produced an absolutely outstanding one handed save from a 25 yard Halifax shot. Any goalkeeper at any level would have been proud of the save.

A good, close game of football between the two teams and Halifax proved themselves to be a very welcome addition to the IFA family and their hospitality after the game was most welcome. The Halifax team have said they would welcome the trip to “sunny” Cleethorpes (or Grimsby) later in the season and the Mariners look forward to hosting them.