Leon Howarth’s second strike of the game deep into second half stoppage time earned Hallam FC a hard-fought win against Step 8 Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Senior Cup Semi-Final.

The result means that Craig Denton’s men will now be heading to the New York Stadium, the home of Rotherham United, to take on Worksop Town in the final, after they defeated AFC Emley 2-0 the previous Tuesday. This match will be played on the 7th May 2025.

The first half saw Stocksbridge with plenty of the ball, as chances came and went for the visitors. But it was the Countrymen who saw the first opportunity of the game as Brandon Bradbury’s shot whistled just wide of the post from outside the box.

With the first 45 approaching its end, Hallam were starting to look more intent in attack and struck first with just four minutes to go. A fantastic move from the hosts saw Jack Brownell firing the ball across goal for Leon Howarth to latch onto and divert into the bottom corner, sending the fans behind the goal absolutely wild (1-0).

The Steels almost levelled just moments later, only for the close range strike to fly just wide of the near post, leaving Hugo Warhurst unfazed in the Hallam goal.

But with the first half in its dying moments, Hallam grabbed their second. A wonderful ball over the top from James Cadman found Rio Allan through down the right hand side of the box and the winger made no mistake to tuck the ball past Townsend to give the Countrymen a very comfortable half-time advantage (2-0).

The game could have been done and dusted seven minutes into the second half when Rio Allan could have had a second to his name, only for Steels keeper Townsend to pull off a great save. However, this save seemed to spark the visitors into life, as they now hunted a way back into the game; Hugo Warhurst having to pull off a brilliant save from a deflected shot to the keep Hallam’s advantage intact.

But soon enough, Steels found their way back into the game, as Owen bundled the ball home from a corner to deservedly give the visitors hope (2-1). With 14 minutes to go, Stocksbridge were level and it was Owen again who headed home from another corner to complete the second-half comeback (2-2).

This didn’t stop Craig Denton’s men from trying to find the winner themselves, as Rio Allan’s dangerous free kick was just tipped over the bar by Townsend with 3 minutes of normal time to go. James Cadman also saw a half-volley fly just over the bar moments after.

As the board was raised for stoppage time, however, a bit of magic won the night for the hosts, as Leon Howarth cut inside the defender, curled a cross towards the back post; only it was a cross-cum-shot that ended up planting in the bottom corner to send the home fans into raptures (3-2)!

As the referee’s final whistle blew, plenty of fans flooded the pitch to celebrate with their heroes in blue and white, knowing that, as a club, they now sit 90 minutes from silverware. But Hallam players will need to regroup following celebrations, as they have their promotion charge to maintain, starting at Golcar United on Saturday (3pm KO).

Hallam: Warhurst, Brownell, Sharman, South (C), Bradbury, Blakeley, Cadman, Allan, Howarth, Litchfield, Pudil

Stocksbridge: Townsend, Lemon, Tinker, Turner, Owen, Iggulden, Deakin, O’Connor, Rawson, Morris, Marshall

Match Report – Jensen Coleman

Match Photos – Mike Bayly & Jacob Flannery