Visitors from Chile, Dr Watson & a Desmond TuTu
Hallam FC 2 - 2 Retford FC
HT - 1-0
Att - 281
A decidedly Autumnal Tuesday evening, the warm weather of late having deserted Sandygate, saw Hallam FC's first game of the new season. The crowd of 281 included Marco and Tonchy, who had made the pilgrimage to the World's Oldest Football Ground all the way from Chile. The visitors beneath the floodlights were Retford FC.
The first half started brightly for both teams, with plenty of fearless, attacking football on display. Some full-blooded challenges saw a spate of free-kicks as the game became increasingly physical. Hallam FC's 'keeper, David Reay, produced a series of good saves to deny the visitors, and then in the 42nd minute the Countrymen made the break-through when a clumsy challenge by the Retford defence resulted in a penalty. The spot-kick was coolly converted by Sandygate folk hero Kieren Watson.
As the half-time whistle was blown, Hallam found themselves a goal to the good.
The second half saw the Retford team pressing hard for an equaliser, and within five minutes of the restart they had levelled up the score, when Jack Johnson tapped the ball into the back of the net following a free kick.
Buoyed by this equaliser, Retford stepped up the pressure but Hallam held firm, including a dramatic goal line clearance. As the half progressed, Hallam clawed their way back into the game and began to dominate possession, pressing for a winner. On the 80th minute Hallam appeared to have scored the winning goal when a dangerous cross was put away by man of the moment, Kieren Watson!
Hallam appeared to be on the road to a well-deserved victory. Unfortunately, with just three minutes on the clock, the ball found its way into the Hallam net via the unfortunate Alex Varley. The game was once more level.
Lucy Bell
Hallam FC Media
Pictures by https://matthsheff.tumblr.com/
