One Swallow Doesn't Make a Summer, but Victory Over Swallownest Continues Hallam's Salad Days!
HALLAM FC 4 – 0 SWALLOWNEST FC
An impressive 314 supporters made the pilgrimage to the World's Oldest Football Ground for this Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup tie, played out on a Wednesday night beneath the Sandygate floodlights. Although the evening began bright and warm, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon and smoke wafted across the hallowed turf from a near-by gardener burning leaves, there were hints of the autumnal nights that will soon arrive. Following defeat in the FA Vase against Burscough FC at the previous weekend, Hallam were keen to return to their winning ways and make headway in a cup competition.
It was Hallam who made the brighter start, putting pressure on Swallownest and looking for an opening goal. In the 17th minute Liam Royles duly supplied that goal when his free kick from the edge of the area beat the Swallownest 'keeper at the near post.
On the half-hour mark Max Pemberton doubled Hallam’s advantage, his shot in front of the Shed End beating the ‘keeper and finding its way into the back of the Swallownest net. Hallam looked to be cruising to another fine victory. However Swallownest had other ideas and began a period of pressure of their own. Hallam stood firm though, and as the half-time whistle was blown it was Hallam who found themselves two goals to the good.
The second half began as a scrappy affair with few chances presenting themselves and both teams lacking that quality touch in the final third of the pitch. However the game was put to bed in the 77th minute when the ever-reliable Chris Wood bundled the ball over the Swallownest line following a goalmouth scramble. 3 – 0 to the Countrymen and no way back for Swallownest.
This third goal seemed to reinvigorate Hallam, and they confidently went looking for a fourth. Goal number four was delivered by James Gregory whose emphatic strike in the 83rd minute sealed a hard fought but ultimately emphatic victory for Hallam, and they proceed to the next round of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup.
In a strange twist of footballing fate, Swallownest return to Sandygate on Saturday 18th September for a league fixture. Hallam will be hoping for a similar score-line, and to continue their impressive run of league victories.
There was some good news for the visitors when Swallownest player Jack Appleyard was sent home from hospital following a first half head injury. All at Sandygate wish him a speedy recovery.
Paul Bell
Hallam FC Media
