FC Halifax Town played to a 0-0 draw against Barnet in the Vanarama National League.
The closest either team came to scoring was Jamie Stott’s first-half penalty. However, Bees goalkeeper Laurie Walker made an excellent save to keep the scores level.
Town manager Chris Millington made two changes, bringing in Max Wright and Jamie Cooke for Adam Senior and Aaron Cosgrave.
The Shaymen began the game brightly. In the 11th minute, Ryan Galvin entered the box, attempted to find a teammate, and earned a corner. Golden’s delivery into the box was easily claimed by Laurie Walker.
A ball played into the box by Zak Brunt narrowly missed the target, with Kanu’s attempt on 22 minutes.
Max Wright, making his first start for the Shaymen, won a corner. Jack Evans sent the ball towards the far post, but it was headed out for a throw.
Town had an opportunity when Millenic Alli was fouled by Harry Prichard 30 yards from goal. Pritchard was booked. Alli’s delivery into the box found Jack Hunter, but he couldn’t generate enough power on the header, resulting in an easy save for Walker.
On the other end, Johnson made a crucial save on 37 minutes. A freekick was cleared, and Harry Pritchard’s shot from the edge of the box was stopped by Johnson.
Town had a golden chance to take the lead from a freekick delivered by Tylor Golden into the box. Referee John Mulligan pointed to the spot after Jo Cummings was fouled by Pritchard in the box. Jamie Stott took the penalty, but Walker deflected the ball out for a corner. The ball was sent back in, but Stott’s header went wide.
Barnet came close to taking the lead immediately after. Defender Danny Collinge headed towards goal, requiring a save from Johnson for a corner.
The Shaymen had two attempts from Alli towards the end of the first half. His first shot forced a save from Walker, and his second narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, a freekick into the box led to a dangerous play, but Town managed to clear for a corner. On 52 minutes, Barnet’s top scorer Nicke Kabamba and Zak Brunt combined for a shot that went straight at Sam Johnson, who made the save.
A ball played into Jamie Cooke at the edge of the box resulted in a save by Walker. Town were denied again before Jack Evans made a driving run and was brought down by Dale Gorman just outside the penalty area. Alli’s effort hit the wall.
The home side continued to press, working the ball into the box, but Collinge’s shot went over the bar after being flicked on at the near post.
Both teams had chances. Jamie Cooke’s cross was deflected into the side netting for a corner. Evans’ shot was too close to Walker and easily claimed.
Johnson collected a freekick and released Cappello, who looked for Cooke. However, Cooke was denied the opportunity due to an offside call.
Barnet attempted to counter, with Brunt sending the ball forward. Hall-Johnson entered the box, and Armstrong’s shot went wide. The efforts persisted as substitute Hall-Johnson’s cross was met by Callum Stead, but his attempt was saved by Johnson.
Golden made a good play, sending the ball wide for Cappello, whose cross was headed out for a corner by Gorman.
Stead launched a counterattack, going the length of the pitch, but his shot was narrowly deflected wide for a corner. Coker sent the ball into the near post, and Cappello cleared.
Andrew Oluwabori released Jamie Cooke, and his attempt went past Laurie Walker but hit the side netting.
Neither side managed to breach the impressive goalkeeping performances at both ends of the pitch, and the points were shared at the Hive.
Town will be back in action on Tuesday night, facing Dagenham & Redbridge at home with a 7.45pm kick-off.
