Halifax kick off campaign with convincing victory

Halifax opened their Vanarama National League season with a thumping 4-1 win at 10-man Ebbsfleet.

The hosts lost captain Jack King to a red card just eight minutes in when he pulled back Toby Sho-Silva to deny a scoring chance, and Halifax took the lead moments later after Cameron King’s shot squirmed past goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.

Ashmore’s poor clearance almost gifted Cameron King a second but Ebbsfleet equalised against the run of play before half-time through John Goddard.

Halifax, though, resumed their dominance in the second half as Niall Maher restored their lead and Jack Earing made it 3-1 just three minutes later.

Nathan Clarke rounded off a superb afternoon for the Shaymen with a goal from his own half in stoppage time as they finished the first day top of the table.