Hallam made one change from their semi-final win over Thackley AFC, with Janni Lipka missing out completely; Leon Howarth replaced him in the starting line-up, with Khalid Suleiman appearing on the bench.

Beverley’s top scorer Elliot Andrew was named as a substitute in this game, alongside in-form Cameron Connelly, who has scored three in his last five.

After five minutes, the first opportunity fell to the home side; captain Danny South being brought down on the edge of the box gave Rio Allan a chance from range. His free kick went straight into the wall, however, and, despite shouts of handball, play resumed.

Minutes later, Beverley took the lead, winger McCauley Snelgove watching the ball go over his shoulder and slotting it into the bottom left corner to give the Beavers an early lead.

Unfortunately, Hallam were forced into a change just ten minutes in, with veteran defender Daniel Pudil requiring treatment before Snelgrove’s goal, and getting replaced by Danny Buttle straight after.

And Beverley could have doubled their lead soon after when Glen Sani ran to the by-line and passed across the box and past the goalkeeper. Buttle was there to deal with it, but his attempted clearance needed saving by a retreating Hugo Warhurst.

Leon Howarth had a couple of chances to get a shot off and equalise for the Countrymen, before, nearly twenty minutes in, the winger’s cleanly-hit volley was well saved by Jonathan Dash.

Just after half an hour had been played, Beverley had two opportunities for a second after a failed Hallam attack. Allan and James Cadman linked up on the right, with the latter’s attempted flick round his defender being too heavy. The Beavers broke, and Sani soon found himself in on goal, Warhurst made a good low block to keep him out initially, before his rebound was sent over.

With five minutes to go until half-time, Howarth had another chance to make the game level, Cadman’s corner found him in the box, but his glancing header went just wide of the far post.

Brodie Litchfield then had an effort at goal a couple of minutes later, Alfie Smith’s long throw fell to Litchfield on the far side, who’s half-volleyed shot was blocked on its way to goal.

With the last kick of regular time in the first-half, Beverley doubled their lead. Luka Suluburic with brilliant work out wide, putting it on a plate for Snelgrove to get his second of the game, beating Warhurst at his near post, and finishing the half with a two-goal advantage.

Five minutes after the break, Hallam got a goal back. Jack Brownell’s deep cross found Howarth who brilliantly headed into the near post to halve the deficit.

Soon after, Hallam were level! Smith’s long throw found Allan, who twisted and turned in the box, before smashing home and making it level after just 10 second half minutes!

After an hour had been played, the Countrymen were certain they should have been playing against ten men. Allan was found after a punt forward from Howarth and looked destined to be one-on-one with the keeper before being dragged to the floor by Kian Larkin, who escaped with a yellow.

Warhurst nearly gave the opposition a chance to regain their lead soon after when his kick forwards was intercepted with the back of substitute Andrew, who, luckily for Hallam, could not take full control of the ball.

With minutes to go of regular time, some Hallam fans thought they had got a late winner when Howarth tucked away from close range, but the goal was chalked off for offside. This would be the last big chance of the game for either side, meaning the game ended 2-2, taking the game straight to a penalty shootout.

After six consecutive penalties scored, substitute Adam Blakeley’s penalty was the first to be saved, putting pressure on the home side, before Glen Sani’s attempted panenka down the middle was saved straight after, putting it level again.

Allan coolly slotted it into the bottom right corner to take Hallam 4-3 up, before Warhurst saved again, denying Andrew, winning his side the play-off final!

Promotion for the Countrymen means they will now be playing their football in the Northern Premier League next season, the eighth tier of English football.

Hallam will now be focusing on earning more silverware this season, with the Countrymen facing Worksop Town on the 8th of May in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup final at Hillsborough.

Penalty Shootout

1-0 Hallam, Danny Buttle GOAL bottom right corner

1-1 Beverley, Matthew Plummer GOAL bottom right corner

2-1 Hallam, Jack Brownell GOAL bottom right corner

2-2 Beverley, James Piercy GOAL bottom right corner

3-2 Hallam, Leon Howarth GOAL bottom left corner

3-3 Beverley, Cameron Connelly GOAL bottom left corner

3-3 Hallam., Adam Blakeley SAVED bottom left corner

3-3 Beverley, Glen Sani SAVED panenka down the middle

4-3 Hallam, Rio Allan GOAL bottom right corner

4-3 Beverley, Elliot Andrew SAVED bottom right corner

Hallam XI: 1 Warhurst; 2 Brownell, 4 Sharman, 14 Smith (90+2’ 15 Ward), 18 Pudil (10’ 3 Buttle); 6 Bradbury, 7 Litchfield (89’ 19 Blakeley) ; 10 Allan, 8 Cadman, 11 Howarth; 5 South (C)

Unused Substitutes: 16 Suleiman, 20 Playford

Beverley XI: 1 Dash; 2 Larkin (89’ 16 Knaggs), 5 Plummer, 6 Piercy (C), 3 Stockhill (15 Sellers); 4 Hotte, 8 Ofori; 10 Snelgrove (69’ Connelly), 11 Birch (81’ 17 Harman), 7 Suluburic (57’ 12 Andrew); 9 Sani

Attendance: 1,563 (approx. 300)

Match Report – Lucas Daft

Match Pics – Mike Bayly @mike_bayly

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