A two-inch gash on the side of his right eye kept out Swans skipper Nick Cusack but the visitors made two changes from the team which beat Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup in midweek.

Big striker Julian Alsop returned to lead the attack in place of Tony Bird while Richie Appleby, an early substitute for the injured Jonathan Coates at The Racecourse, kept his place in the starting line-up.

At the back, Kristian O'Leary, who proved such a capable deputy for Jason Smith at Wrexham, kept his place. Smith and Bird had to be satisfied with places on the bench alongside Stuart Roberts.

Halifax had Kevin Hulme back in midfield in place of the injured Peter Butler as they attempted to end a four-game home run without a win. Their attack was spearheaded by former Bangor man Marc Lloyd-Williams and Nottingham Forest loan signing Steve Guinan.

Swansea could have snatched the lead as early as the third minute. Jones broke from deep in his own half and, after Watkin had released Appleby, the midfielder swapped passes with Howard hefore chipping in a cross which spun threateningly across the goalmouth where Price and Alsop just missed out Halifax responded when Lloyd-Williams sent Paterson clear and his shot was deflected for the first of three quick Halifax corners.

Swansea survived the pressure and when Price broke quickly down the middle, only a timely tackle from Bradshaw prevented him testing keeper Martin.

Swansea were soon under pressure again, the darting Paterson driving in a cross from the left which Hulme directed wide after turning sharply in the hox. As the aerial bomardment of the Swansea defence continued Jenkins cleared under pressure from Lloyd-Williams after a move which stemmed from a poor Fresstone clearance.

Again Swansea weathered the pressure and continued to probe down the right, with Price looking effective in possession.

Swansea might even have claimed a penalty when Price beat one defender on the byline before tumbling in a challenge by Hulme. But, as the players looked around referee, the ofticial was unmoved.

Despite the odd foray into the Halifax box the Swansea goal came under increasing pressure. A driven cross from Paterson was cleared by the alert Howard but it was only a temporary respite. O'Regan chipped into the danger area where Guinan missed a free header and, as Halifax continued to build at pace, Lloyd-Williams saw a shot detlected for his team s fifth corner.

Again Swansea coped and when they hroke upfield, Jones pumped a high cross into the box which the keeper failed to gather under presiure from Alsop and the visitors won a corner. Applehy's quick delivery was met by Bound who headed wide.

Otherwise Freestone and his defence seemed to be constantly under siege as Halifax broke quickly from midfield. Paterson tried a long-range effort after Guinan had laid back and there were more problems for Swansea when Paterson curled a superb cross into the box only to find a lack of support.

It seemed only a matter ot time before the Swansea defence cracked under the pressure and Halifax duly took the lead on 35 minutes when the returning HULME scored his third goal of the season Lloyd-Williams released the overlapping Bradshaw down the left wing and Hulme came rushing in at the far post to beat Freestone from six-yards.

The goal was the game's first effort on target and, for all Swansea's attacking enthusiasm they had yet to test Martin in the Halifax goal. Watkin did his best to lift Swansea hopes and found eager support in Jones switching across to the right flank and bursting deep into the heart of the Halifax defence before Thackery came across to snuff out the danger.

HALF-TIME: Halifax Town l Swansea City 0

Clearly, Swansea had to increase the tempo and get more men forward if they hoped to get back into the match. But they found themselves under pressure immediately the game resumed when Jenkins lost possession and O'Regan swapped passes with Guinan before forcing Freestone into a smothering save at the near post.

Swansea were finding it difficult to penetrate Halifax's five-man defence but had a rare opportunity when Price latched on to a misdirected back header from Murphy. Martin, however, had spotted the danger and turned Price's intended cross behind for a corner.

When that move broke down after Alsop had impeded the keeper, Halifax came roaring back with Lloyd-Williams setting up a chance for Guinan who drove wide.

When Lloyd-Williams burst through again O'Leary appeared to hold back the Halifax striker who made his views known to the referee. As the arguments continued Lloyd-Williams was spoken to by York official Mr Messias.

Then another Halifax attack broke down after the striker was caught offside. Swansea had still not tested Martin in the Halifax goal when Jenkins burst through from midfield and lifted a shot high and wide.

The response from the the visitors' bench was to pull off O'Leary and send on Bird to strengthen the attack. Two minutes later Swansea finally found their range with Watkin and Alsop setting up an opening for Appleby who drove straight into the arms of the well-positioned Martin.

After Halifax had made a change sending on Jon Brown in place of Hulme, Alsop raced through and had the beating of Sertori only to see his shot go wide of the far post with Bird unable to reach it.

Brown had only been on the pitch a few minutes when he was cautioned for a foul on Thomas outside the Halifax area. Howard and Thomas teed up the free kick for Bound who drove it powerfully only for Thackeray to clear.

With 13 minutes left Swansea pulled off Price for Roberts. Swansea were given a helping hand when Sertori was sent off five minutes from time for two-footed tackle on Howard. But any hopes of salvaging something disappeared 60 seconds later when PATERSON hit a stunning shot from 20 yards which left Freestone helpless.

HALIFAX:
Martin: Thackeray, Bradshawhaw, Setori, Murphy (J), Stoneman, Paterson,
Hulme, Lloyd-Williams, O'Reagan. SUBS: Lucas, Brown, Murphy (S)

SWANSEA:
Freestone, Jones, Howard, Jenkins, 0'Leary, Bound, Prlce, Thomas, Alsop,
Watkin, Appleby. Subs. Bird, Roberts, Smith

GOALS:-
Halifax; Hulme 35, Paterson 88.

REFEREE:
MD Messias

ATTENDANCE:
2,383

Click here to go back to start page if not using frames