Leon Howarth’s early header was the only goal scored in a game full of chances in front of a packed-out crowd at Sandygate on Easter weekend.

The team were looking to bounce back on home turf following back-to-back away fixtures that concluded with last Saturday’s defeat to Bradford (PA), with only one change to the starting lineup from Hallam’s last outing, with Brandon Bradbury coming back into the eleven for Scott Fenwick.

Ashington proved a worthy opponent, striking the post twice in the 90, giving the home side a tough game from start to finish.

The action started from minute one, with Ashington breaking quickly into Hallam’s half and a deflected cross from the full back forced an early save out of Warhurst, who tipped it over the bar for a corner.

The Countrymen immediately responded to this by taking the ball into Ashington’s half, with the ever-present Charlie Staniland playing a clever one-two with Jay Glover before a pinpoint cross into the opposition’s box found the head of the unmarked Howarth, who guided it past the Ashington keeper to make it 1-0 inside the opening five minutes.

Hallam had the chance to go 2-0 up a few minutes later through a similar move after another brilliant cross by Staniland, which was met again by Howarth, but this time his effort flew over the crossbar.

Ashington’s first big chance came in the 26th minute as Josh Gilchrist was denied by the post as he fired a shot across Hugo Warhurst, after being played through by Oliver Thompson. 

Kiyani Clayton continued to be a thorn in the side of the visitor’s defence throughout the first half, picking up the ball several times on the right flank before cutting inside and keeping the Ashington captain on his toes with some efforts from the edge of the area. He ultimately couldn’t find a second before an eventful first half came to a close.

As the second half began, both teams continued trading blows as Staniland continued his good form by skipping past two defenders and laying the ball off for Glover, who fired a tame shot towards the Ashington goal.

Clayton was almost rewarded for his earlier efforts as he drove into the box, forcing a save out of the Ashington keeper and parrying the ball back into the path of the forward, who crossed the ball into the six-yard-box but no one could take advantage of the stranded goalie.

The chances didn’t really appear for Ashington until they began to get desperate as the final whistle approached, and they almost broke the hearts of the home fans as a shot from the edge of the Hallam area thundered off the left post in added time.

Hallam fans took a sigh of relief as the final whistle rang out around Sandygate and the players reaped their rewards in what was a great performance by the Countrymen.

Hallam are next in action on Monday, the 6th of April, as they travel to Lincoln United for a mid-table clash.

The Countrymen will next be in action at Sandygate on Saturday, the 11th of April, facing Silsden.

Sheffield Assay Office MOTM (as chosen by match sponsors Volt Tech Electrical) – Charlie Staniland

Attendance – 894

Match Report by Josh Bedford and Liam Moore

Photo Credits – Jacob Flannery