A game which we controlled pretty much from start to finish and should have won by a bigger margin. A lot of the football through midfield was excellent, we created numerous chances and, aside from some shaky defending midway though the first half, it was a very comfortable afternoon.
The first twenty minutes set the tone of the whole game with Rovers controlling the ball and looking threatening. The first goal resulted from a flowing move and we got in behind the Halifax defence a number of times in this period and should really have added to our tally. However, a couple of defensive mishaps allowed the host back into the match, firstly in the build up to the penalty, well saved by Davies, and secondly for the equalising goal which came against the run of play. On both occasions the back four were caught very square and seemed to be holding a line too high up the pitch. Fortunately, we came through this spell and Norwood deservedly restored our lead before the break with a superb strike from outside the box.
In the second half we were never threatened. Liam Ridehalgh's superb free kick five minutes into the half effectively killed the game and from that moment on we sat deeper and held Halifax at bay, while still having a threat on the break. Further chances were created with Norwood in particular missing two or three of his customary one-on-ones.
Overall, the ease of this victory against a team currently higher in the league table has to give us confidence for the weeks ahead, and suggests that we are well capable of climbing the league. Since the switch to 442 the team looks much better balanced and confidence and creativity has returned to the side.
Individually, I thought Norwood worked incredibly hard and played well, but surely has to get some advice on what to do better when he is one-on-one with the keeper. Cook led the line well and won virtually every header. Connor Jennings had his best game for some time and took his goal very well. Defensively, I thought all of the back four looked a bit ropy in the first half but settled down after half time. My man of the match, however, was Ollie Norburn who was superb on the ball and ran the midfield all game. I love the fact he always looks to make a forward pass and I lost count of the number of times he played a cutting through ball to Norwood or Jennings.
With confidence building we go into difficult away games at Aldershot and Hartlepool in good spirits.
