I’d originally planned to drive up to Newbiggin for a Northern League game, but then I noticed that the Boro’s U21 team were playing away at Halifax Town in that competition where the lower ranked teams field their first team against the kid’s sides from those higher up the leagues. I’m sure the rules of the competition spell it out more clearly, but that is the gist of it.
There was a handy and free car park outside The Shay and it was ten quid cash-only admission at the turnstiles. I picked up a steak pie with gravy and took a seat in the main stand, which was the only one that had been opened. The unused covered terraces behind the two goals looked great, a real throwback to how grounds used to be.
Boro had included some players from the first team squad, no doubt to get some minutes into their legs. Lenihan and Edmundson formed the centre-half partnership with Micah Hamilton on the left of the three behind Sonny Finch. The two defenders were withdrawn at the break, presumably having enough of a run out, with Hamilton not far behind.
There wasn’t much of a crowd, just 207. I wondered whether it might be the lowest ever for a Halifax game, but a quick online search revealed that just 195 people watched Sunderland at The Shay in this competition last year. Clearly, the Boro are a bigger attraction.
Boro didn’t really shine and only Lenihan looked to be first team standard. Finch was busy and took his goal well, but it was hard to see any gap in quality between the sides. The outcome could have gone either way until a late Halifax goal sealed a 2-1 win for the National League side.
Tags: Halifax Town, Middlesbrough FC
Trail of the Lion King 
Leave a comment