Hallam suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Albion Sports.

Brandon Bradbury had tapped the Countrymen level in the first half after going behind early.

But the visitors produced an outstanding second half performance as former Hallam striker Nathan Cartman’s hat trick helped them on their way.

Hallam started brightly, and came close early after Leon Howarth struck the foot of the left post.

Howarth then came close again when he drilled an effort wide from outside the penalty area.

Albion Sports then took the lead on 26 minutes, when Emerson Cox’s cross from the right was glanced into the net by the head of Cartman.

And the visitors could have extended their lead further when Kieran Suddards fired wide from distance shortly after.

But Hallam found a first half response, when a good run from Leon Howarth allowed him to fire a ball across the penalty area straight into the path of Brandon Bradbury, who couldn’t miss from yards out.

But the biggest turning point of the game came shortly after half time, when Brodie Litchfield went down under Eisa Falding’s challenge inside the penalty area – with the referee unmoved.

And the Countrymen were made to pay not long after, when Kieran Wade picked the ball up in space and drove it through bodies into the net to put Albion Sports back in front.

Wade then turned provider to extend the lead when his ball across was turned home by Cartman for his second of the afternoon.

Hugo Warhurst was called into action to keep the score down to deny Paul Walker from close range.

Litchfield then had a shot from the edge of the area go straight at goalkeeper Jordan Porter.

But Cartman grabbed his hat trick when he picked the pockets of Bradbury in the area and drilled home into the corner to put the visitors out of sight.

Cartman won a late penalty when he was brought down by Danny South in the area.

However Sumali Cisse’s panenka was weak, with Hugo Warhurst having time to swing a leg and clear it away.

But it was to be Albion Sports’ day, with the visitors going above Hallam in the table after a disappointing afternoon.

Joe – Hallam FC Media Team

Pic curtesy of Matt H

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