Hallam’s journey in the FA Cup continues after a fine 2-0 victory over Charnock Richard.

Two sides who’ve started their respective seasons in blistering form met at the World’s Oldest Football Ground with the aim of progressing to the next round of one of the world’s oldest cup competitions. Hallam top the NCEL Premier Division after an unbeaten start, mirroring Charnock Richard, who find themselves at the summit of the North West Counties Premier with a similar start. 

The Countrymen started the game the much brighter side, with two blocks required to keep Hallam at bay in the opening minutes. Leon Howarth spurned a huge chance after racing onto a through ball, only to see his shot saved by the foot of the visiting ‘keeper.

Moments later, it was Hallam on the front foot, after Iren Wilson taking advantage of the confusion following a Daniel Pudil throw to open his account for the season and poke the Countrymen ahead. 

Charnock Richard almost hit back seconds from kick off, forcing a great block from the Hallam defence to maintain their slender lead.

An end-to-end game was really beginning to open up, with Hallam taking their turn to attack the visiting goal. Iren Wilson showed great strength to get ahead of his man, only to see his effort smothered by the Charnock stopper. This was followed by Hallam shouts for a penalty waved away by the referee and a counter attack from Charnock Richard snuffed out by the Hallam back line.

Daniel Pudil’s long throws continued to be a source of frustration for the visitors, after another arrowed ball launched into the box was nearly converted by Leon Howarth, only to be thwarted by the ‘keeper in what was the final chance of the half. The Countrymen led the Villagers by a single goal to nil at the break.

The second half started much the same as the first, with pressure from both sides. On 53 minutes, the Countrymen doubled their advantage. Another Daniel Pudil throw wasn’t dealt with by Charnock and Ross Goodwin beat the back line to nick his first for the club and put the Countrymen 2-0 up with just over half an hour to play.

Frustration reared its head for the away side, as tempers boiled over after a chance ran out of play, sparking a coming together of players from both sides. The scuffle petered out with no bookings or further punishments.

Into the last half hour and Charnock Richard began to turn up the heat and pressure the Hallam goal. Bookings for Goodwin and Bradbury for “professional” fouls aiding to soak up the pressure from the visitors, as well as did a fine Hugo Warhust save in the Hallam goal. 

Substitute Rio Allan nearly made it three after fine work on the left hand side, only to see his effort smothered by the Charnock ‘keeper.

Deep into injury time, it was the visitors with the bulk of the chances and nearly got one back, only to find Danny South on the goal line to clear and maintain Hallam’s 4th clean sheet of the season. 

The referee’s whistle rang out around Sandygate, signalling Hallam’s place in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup. The first time the Countrymen has been this far in 14 years. Waiting for the is one of either Newcastle Blue Star of the Northern League, or old adversaries North Ferriby of the Northern Premier League East Division. 

Man of the Match: Daniel Pudil

Hallam team: Warhurst, Brownell, Pudil, Salt, South(C), Bradbury, Claisse, Goodwin, Peterson, Howarth, WilsonSubs; Buttle, Allan, Suleiman, Ward, Kenyon, Eckhardt, Sykes

Chris – Hallam FC Media Team

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