Flares

Following last Sunday's penalty-shootout victory in the National League North Play-off semi-final, today FC Halifax Town were hosting Chorley FC in a White Rose-Red Rose final.

Arriving with 9yo and 12yo at 2 to beat the congestion, we found the congestion had already formed as what proved to be a record crowd for the division assembled in anticipation. We saved a space for @Robert10 who joined us shortly after and then waited for kick-off. The terrace at the north end had been opened to Chorley supporters, and 1800 of them soon filled it up (extras). Indeed, there was quite an old school atmosphere, as two terraces of opposing fans at opposite ends of the pitch chanted  at each other through the course of the match.

Today's image shows the Halifax end before the match was even underway, which shows how fired up for the occasion everyone was. Flares are not a very welcome addition to the English football scene but both sets of fans let several off during the course of the match. Any individuals identified are likely to receive football banning orders and even custodial sentences.

It was a tense game and goalless in the first half. Halifax took the lead at the beginning of first half, Chorley equalised quarter of an hour later and it stayed deadlocked through to the end of normal time. Both teams looked out of it, but energy was summoned for extra-time , and Halifax prevailed through one further goal. As the final whistle grew closer the stewards could do little to prevent the Halifax crowd gathering around the pitch in anticipation of victory - (extra) - reminiscent the 1923 Cup Final, but without a policeman on a white horse.

So Halifax have bounced back to the National League after one year in National League North, and the town seems happy to see them on the up.  More play-off final action for me in a slightly grander stadium next Saturday.