Just back.

Quoted from LondonMariner43

I wasn't at the game but frankly I don't care if it wasn't a great performance.  We have won four league games in a row, haven't conceded in three, haven't lost in the league since October and 2nd in the table, now only 6 points behind Barnet.  It may all go pear shaped from here, but what's not to like about the current state of affairs.  Oh and did I mention that we have a near fully fit squad, a couple of promising loan signings and we have been able to send a couple of promising youngsters out on loan to gain experience.  I was calling for PH to go after the Southport game but really can't argue with the results since.

Five league wins on the bounce but agree, cannot be anything other than positive

Quoted from LondonMariner43

I wasn't at the game but frankly I don't care if it wasn't a great performance.  We have won four league games in a row, haven't conceded in three, haven't lost in the league since October and 2nd in the table, now only 6 points behind Barnet.  It may all go pear shaped from here, but what's not to like about the current state of affairs.  Oh and did I mention that we have a near fully fit squad, a couple of promising loan signings and we have been able to send a couple of promising youngsters out on loan to gain experience.  I was calling for PH to go after the Southport game but really can't argue with the results since.

That's 5 league wins in a row mate not 4

Fantastic win against an agriculture outfit, our keeper could have got his pipe and slippers out for most of the game. whereas their keeper performed heroics to keep the score to one.

Poor following from them showing just how tin pot they are

Quoted from BIGChris

Loved it.
The sort of game that asks questions of attitude and application and all the players stood up to be counted. Silky smooth tippy tappy football? Certainly not, but a full blooded game which I thoroughly enjoyed. Even more so with the other results.

Toto & Shaun were solid, and needed to be, and Arnold pinned them back with excellent running off the ball.

As above McKeown hardly had a save to make.

UTM

That's how I saw it, really good game. We were the better team first half and could have been 2 or 3 up at the break. They came out a bit more second half but we defended well, Pearson in particular was outstanding and my motm.

Disagree with you though Chris about Toto, he worries me. He gets sucked out of position far too often challenging for balls he shouldn't be, leaving big gaps in behind him. Pearson is constantly shouting and pointing to him. Makes me wonder if this is why Hurst is so keen to have a holding midfielder in front of them, to try stop Toto coming out of position. He just looks like an accident waiting to happen to me.

Totally dominant 44 mins first half, midfield shape and workrate forced Halifax into a very low standard of hoofball, some neat interplay but LJL wasting 2/3 opportunities. Thank god for a decent corner.......at last!!!!  
Once we scored Halifax stepped up and looked more threatening up until the break. Fantastic defensive block at the death by Disley to preserve our deserved lead at H.T.  I did feel at half time we may rue the missed opportunities come full time.
After the break Halifax continued where they left off, much brighter although very rigid route one approach, they looked to have countered and got to grips with our shape with their half time shuffle. We on the other hand didnt react at all and as narrow as we were gave up plenty of space for them to exploit and bomb balls in. Some very determined blocks and tackles....nervy times.
To me i thought it was their second substitution that actually gave us a bit of momentum back and we settled, playing some tidy triangle football but without creating too much of note. The midfield noticeably not getting up and around LJL as much as the first half.
While at 1-0 with such a big and direct side and a gradually retreating back line i think most of us were nervy and sweating.....ultimately.held on without too many real scares, a couple of excellent of free kicks which flew past the post and a couple of aeriel scrambles.
Would have liked to have seen us make a tactical switch when the momentum was turning against us but another clean sheet from a very physical test, how LJL got booked for that perfect tackle i dont know and how they finished with 11 men i dont know as some very cynical and physical fouls for them.
UTM

Quoted from BIGChris

Five league wins on the bounce but agree, cannot be anything other than positive

I can't count!  Five is even better.

I thought Toto did well but for the two free-kicks he sloppily gave away at the start of the second half. Pearson a definite Man of the Match both for his goal and the number of times he got his head on the ball in both boxes. Neilson did some good stuff in the first half but was generally not involved in the second half so I was amazed that he was given the MotM award and people are wondering why he was eventually subbed!

Great defensive work against a gigantic team who chucked the kitchen sink at us throughout the second half but I'm pleased that they got nothing out of the game as being big, aggressive and direct shouldn't be enough to win points, however well you do it. I thought Parslow did well in the defensive midfield role and covered adequately at full-back after Magnay's departure. Hopefully Magnay's injury isn't bad as he was excellent again tonight until he had to go off and we look much better with him in the team.

I'd also say that tonight did show why we need to strengthen our forward options to some degree. LJL did well pretty much on his own up front for most of the game but was so knackered for the last 20 or so minutes that he barely won a header. Pittman is no weakling but I think we could do with another 'big' striker to give us another option in games. Hopefully we will be near the top of the table when the transfer window re-opens to help Hurst to sign another decent striker (or two).  

A deserved 3 points in a key game against promotion rivals. A very good performance and result that was similar to wins over Wrexham and Forest Green a couple of seasons ago.

Onwards and upwards.  

Just Back from a local CAMRA Meeting: chuffed to bits with the result. Onwards and hopefully upwards.

5 league wins in a row and 4 clean sheets in those games, roll on Alty where I will be in attendance