Match report – Hallam FC 1 v 1 Thackley AFC (NCEL Premier Division)

Match report by Joshua Birkin

Thackley AFC were held to a 1-1 draw at Hallam FC in what was their final game of the season but must wait to see their final finishing position as other teams below them must first finish their season. Greaves put the Dennyboys 1-0 up 15 minutes into the second half before Hallam FC found an equaliser on 79 minutes in a minute of controversy as the referee overruled his linesman despite the assistant raising his flag.

The Joint Management side opted for four changes in this one as it was all change in the centre of defence as Morgan and Billy replaced Hudson and Dempsey who found a place on the bench. Terrelonge-Jones also returned to the midfield in place of Parsons with Greaves also leading the line in place of Bradshaw who dropped to the bench. Greaves found himself involved immediately as he looked to receive the ball in the penalty area with his back to goal but the ball just rolled under his foot as he came under pressure from the Hallam defence. The first big chance came ten minutes in as the game established a theme for itself and Donovan broke down the left after being released by Mitchell, he took to ball to the byline after beating his man. However, Salt stepped across to block the attempted cut back and managed to clear the ball away for a throw-in.

The first chance came for the home side just a minute later as Morgan went down on the edge of the area before a series of quick passess between Ward and Fearon allowed them to release Wilson into the left side of the penalty area but he could only fire over. The game then settled slightly as the ‘slope’ at Sandygate started to play a big part with overhit passes running down the hill towards Wilson from the home side. However, Bodle found himself in a good position by the left corner flag on 21 minutes, he drilled a ball to the edge of the penalty area where DeGirolamo missed an interception which allowed it to fall to Grech-Brooksbank. He hit the shot first time from 18-yards out but put the ball narrowly wide as he looked to guide it into the bottom corner. Ellison-Tope found a chance to run at the Hallam FC defence five minutes later but DeGirolamo stepped out to make a tackle and the ball deflected to the right touchline where it was picked up by Donovan who took the chance to drive into the penalty area. Donovan took the opportunity to cross low where the attempted clearance bounced to Greaves who shot on the turn but it wide of the near right post from a tight angle.

The slope then started to player a bigger part in the game as the half came to a close as Fearon broke through twice beyond 37 minutes shooting over on the stretch before Bodle cleared blocked the attempt on an open goal after Wilson saved 1-on-1 at the second time of asking. The final chance in a half of few chances came as Thackley AFC worked the ball to the right of the penalty area where Grech-Brooksbank squared it first time on the volley to Greaves who steered wide from close range.

Half-time- Hallam FC 0-0 Thackley AFC

The second half got underway and it didn’t take long for both sides to be threatening in front of goal as Greaves was forced to clear off the line two minutes into the half. Pudil crossed an in-swinging corner in from the right where Salty met it at the back post but Greaves managed to the ball off the line as it was put back across goal. Thackley AFC then won a corner of their own four minutes later which Donovan played in low for Mitchell to step over before Greaves’ first time shot from 18-yards trickled narrowly wide of the left hand post.

On 60 minutes Greaves did break the deadlock with a goal of real quality. A ball forward was headed by the Hallam defenders but Donovan read it and played the ball into space for Greaves. Greaves flicked the ball over the head of Salt which put him in front of goal. He cut inside another man and hit a half volley into the near bottom left corner to put the Dennyboys in the lead.

Goal Thackley AFC! Greaves (59’) Hallam FC 0-1 Thackley AFC

Five minutes later the hosts looked to use one of Pudil’s long throws, a tactic used throughout, to draw level as DeGirolamo found himself with a free header just in front of the penalty spot but it was held by Wilson. A quiet period then followed as Thackley AFC looked to use the slope to counter in the second half but Bradbury came close with a strike from distance but Wilson was confident enough to see it over the crossbar on 73 minutes. However, the home side did manage to find an equaliser on 79 minutes as a corner was crossed in and headed out at the front post, only as far as DeGirolamo who kept it alive and headed to Ruthven six-yards out who turned home. The linesman’s flag was raised for offside and Thackley were preparing to take a free kick, before the home crowd and players started protesting to the referee. The referee went to speak to his assistant and it was deemed that Morgan when attempting to clear had “deliberately played the ball” which meant that the Hallam striker was apparently not offside. The goal therefore stood and the Thackley players and management team felt extremtly hard done by.

Goal Hallam FC- Ruthven (78’) Hallam FC 1-1 Thackley AFC

Thackley AFC looked to respond and find victory going into the final ten minutes as Donovan played in a low corner but this time Mitchell hit it first time himself from 15-yards out but his attempt was well blocked and Hallam managed to clear. On 84 minutes, Ward was forced into a brilliant last ditch tackle as Greaves was released with a clever flick from Donovan, Greaves looked to dance in between two Hallam FC defenders but the space wasn’t quite there and nipped in to put the ball out for a corner.

The final chance came as tired legs began to show for Thackley AFC in the final five minutes after defending up the hill for the second half but Billy tracked back well and nipped the ball away from Ruthven and managed to clear.

Full time: Hallam FC 1-1 Thackley AFC

Thackley AFC battled hard throughout as they have done with every game in this very positive season and were more than worth a point. Everyone at Thackley AFC would like to thank all players, coaching staff, fans and volunteers for the part they have played in the club’s best season since 2016/17.

Don’t forget about the presentation evening next Saturday 27th April as we celebrate all the good things about this season and hand out some awards. There is free entry for all and no need to book, we hope to see you there.

Thackley AFC XI: Wilson (GK); Everingham; Bodle; Billy; Morgan; Terrelonge-Jones (Hudson 81’); J.Mitchell; Ellison-Tope (Bradshaw 73’); Donovan; Grech-Brooksbank (C); Greaves

Hallam FC XI: Warhurst; Salt; DeGirolamo; Bradbury; Blakeley; Blackbourn (Brownwell 60’); Wilson (Pick 84’); Ward (Ruthven 60’); Fearon; Pudil; Sulieman (Defalco 65’)

Attendance: 427