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Swinton fail to fire again

Jeff Tyldesley
1/ 2/2007

Halifax 24
Swinton Lions 0

SWINTON Lions fans will be far from happy with their side's form leading up to the new League Two season.

Being nilled at Halifax represented Swinton's third depressing pre-season performance against League One opposition on the spin.

They have been soundly beaten in all three games and scored only one try in the process.

Sunday's match at the half-built 'New Shay' was arranged just a couple of days before kick-off.

Halifax's original opponents, Bramley, were struggling with a widespread virus and Swinton agreed to step in.

But many of Swinton's fans will wish that they hadn't have bothered as a dismal friendly was served up on a bitter West Yorkshire afternoon.

It was a fitful and penalty stifled affair and Halifax emerged as worthy winners.

There are many areas in which Swinton need to tighten up on before the season starts for real in a fortnight - not least their lack of discipline, particularly in the tackle.

The Lions also need to work on cutting out basic errors like failing to reach touch with penalty kicks.

Swinton's line-up was shorn of the likes of Darren Woods, Marlon Billy and the inspirational twosome of Lee Marsh and Wayne English.

Despite star stand off Martin Moana making his first pre-season appearance, Swinton again offered little in attack but their defence looked pretty solid at times.

The impressive display of Academy recruit Mike Smith was another source of encouragement.

He was one of many youngsters who were granted some game time.

Bruce Johnson came close to opening the scoring for Swinton. The referee had to consult a touch judge after he had been hauled down just short of the try line following a jinking run from Andy Saywell.

Saywell knocked on in the best passing move of the half soon after.

But Swinton came closest to scoring in the dying seconds when Smith smashed his way inches from the try line. The ball was flung wide only for Sean Conway to be almost decapitated by Stuart Proctor.

The try scorers for Halifax were Marcus George (2), Andy Shickell (2) and Damian Munro.

Team: Brocklehurst; Williamson, Saywell, Ashton, Conway; Moana, McGovern; Bryers, Wood, Johnson, Newton, Sharples, Farrimond. Subs used: Ashall, Salisbury, Morley, Hayes, Smith, Sheen, Aboushakra, Line.

Attendance: 550.