Danny South’s second half-goal continues the Countrymen’s 2025 league unbeaten run, and takes them one game away from promotion.

Hallam made four changes from their 3-3 draw with Goole on the final day; Danny Buttle, James Playford, Leon Howarth and Calum Ward made way for Alfie Smith, Brandon Bradbury, Brodie Litchfield and Danny South.

Thackley were without captain and top goalscorer Ben Grech-Brooksbank through injury, who has scored 22 in the league this season.

And the Dennyboys were the first to have a sniff at goal just four minutes in when Antony Brown turned in the box and shot off-target, which was nearly turned in at the back post by a sliding Slater Barnes.

On the tenth minute mark, the Countrymen had their first chance of the game; Brodie Litchfield found James Cadman on the edge of the box, who drilled just wide of the left post.

Soon after Thackley’s Liam Hudson was forced off with injury, the away side had two big chances to break the deadlock. Brown went wide and found Barnes at the back post once again, who, similarly to the first chance he had, was unable to get anything on it, before Barnes was involved soon after, heading over from close range in the best chance of the game.

Just before half an hour had been played, Thackley had yet another chance to score when Brown headed across the box for captain Joseph Mitchell, who’s volley went well over.

With seconds to go before half-time, Bradbury did brilliantly to earn the home side a corner; running half the length of the pitch before eventually being halted at the by-line. Nothing came from the resulting corner, meaning the first 45 minutes ended goalless.

Shortly after half-time, Bradbury had a shot he’d be in no hurry to watch again; finding good space on the edge of the box but shooting high and wide for a Thackley throw-in.

The away side found themselves in a promising position in the final third a few minutes later, but, much to the dismay of the Dennyboys at Sandygate today, referee Ethan Nundy blew for a Thackley free-kick when George Green went down holding his ankle rather than his head.

After a slow start to the second half, Bradbury had another chance from range for the Countrymen, this time dipping just over the bar.

Hallam soon had a throw-in which found captain South in the middle, but his flick-on couldn’t find anyone in blue behind him, before Rio Allan ran through the middle, but failed to get through.

With both teams having plenty of chances to get the first goal in this game, it was Hallam who finally opened the scoring in the 67th minute; Bradbury ran to the by-line and put in a perfect cross for South, who jumped highest and headed home, which eventually ended up being the only goal in the game.

And the Countrymen nearly added a second in quick succession when Allan did well to beat his man and put in a right-footed cross into the box, but no teammate could get near it.

With nearly ten minutes to go of normal time, a brilliant save from Thackley’s Luke Wilson stopped Hallam from doubling their lead, keeping Allan’s deflected effort out.

Deep into added time, Thackley’s Luke Rhodes was given a straight red after kicking substitute Ward off the ball, before a flurry of yellow cards were given due to a small fight between the players.

Despite a late free-kick from the Dennyboys, the away side could not find an equaliser, and Hallam brilliantly booked their place in the play-off final.

Hallam’s attention now turns to Saturday at Sandygate again, where they are set to face Beverley Town, who they famously beat 7-0 in February at home, after the Beavers defeated Golcar United in their semi-final.

Hallam FC XI: 1 Warhurst; 2 Brownell, 4 Sharman, 14 Smith, 18 Pudil; 6 Bradbury, 7 Lipka; 10 Allan (90’ 15 Ward), 8 Cadman (67’ 19 Howarth), 11 Litchfield (87’ 16 Blakeley); 5 South (C)

Unused Substitutes: 3 Buttle, 20 Playford

Thackley AFC XI: 1 Wilson; 6 Hudson (18’ 15 Gibbon (82’ 14 Ahmed)), 5 Dempsey, 3 Rhodes; 2 Parson, 8 Mitchell (C), 4 Sugden, 11 Barnes; 7 Donovan, 10 Green (69’ 17 Morrisey); 9 Brown

Unused Substitutes: 12 Hamdosh, 16 Jones

Attendance: 1,358

Match Report – Lucas Daft

Match Pictures – Ian Maneman @ianthemaneman , Pete Willis Instagram & Billy Jones