Report: Hallam (A)

Emley hit the heights of the top the NCEL table with a 1-1 draw at Hallam on Tuesday night. The division’s top scorer Ruben Jerome got the goal that saw Emley reach the summit.

Hallam were fastest out of the blocks with an incessant direct approach attacking down Sandgate’s notorious slope almost bearing fruit. Emley started with a back five and they were by far the busiest defence in the first half.

James Knowles was thankfully on his toes to stop a dangerous cross only a couple of minutes into the game. The Emley captain had to intervene moments later as Hallam got another dangerous ball in the Pewits box.

Young ‘keeper Aleksander Petrovic - signed as cover for injured Declan Lambton - was called upon to make his first save on 13 minutes. Emley almost the masters of their own downfall after failing to clear their lines and allowing a shot from the edge of the box that the debutant got down well to save.

Hallam looked to capitalise on any nerves from Petrovic from successive corners that were delivered right into the danger zone. They weren’t all cleanly cleared but cleared they were.

It was half-way through the first half when Emley started to find their feet. A blocked cross brought a corner and Hardaker made the hosts ‘keeper make his first contribution of note. Moments later, Lawrence picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and found himself with a couple of yards of space to fashion a shooting chance but the effort went just wide.

Hallam probably should have gone ahead on 28 minutes but the effort was high wide and not-so-handsome.

Emley’s best chance of the half was all about Jerome. He picked up the ball on the right and drove with intent towards goal. With no support he kept going and was able to step inside and shoot. The ball whistled past the left hand post - the wrong side from an Emley perspective.

From the goal kick, Hallam’s direct play saw them get the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. However, that was only a delay to their celebrations as the ball hit the target again a minute later after Emley could only half clear the ball.

Hallam pushed for a second whilst they had the advantage of playing down hill. A volley from the edge of the box went wide and Charlie Barks and Alex Metcalfe both had to make last ditch blocks to minimise the damage going into the break.

H/T Hallam 1 - 0 Emley

Emley made a change at the interval with Knowles sacrificed for James Walshaw as he returned from suspension.

There was an immediate change of intent for Emley and they started the half well. Gooden got more joy down the left and his shot, after cutting inside, drifted just wide of the far post.

Now it was Emley’s chance to turn the screw with a number of corners in quick succession. But Hallam were, like their visitors in the first half, equal to the threat - just.

Ten minutes into the second half, Emley’s blistering start to the half got its reward. An initial ball in was only cleared to the edge of the 6 yard box close to the byline and Walshaw was able to collect and cross to Jerome who made no mistake from 3 yards out.

Back on terms, Emley looked to turn one point into a maximum three and they nearly did but an the goalkeeper and an offside flag denied Walshaw. Then Jerome had a header that looped just over and Gooden’s shot was scrambled away.

After soaking up a spell of pressure, Hallam tried to hit Emley on the break. Petrovic was called upon to make a good save low to his left and Charlie Barks made a brave headed clearance over his own bar that had him seeing stars after a clash with the Hallam attacker.

Emley were certainly having the better of the second half and nearly had the scoreline to prove it with 10 minutes to go. Gooden beat his man all ends up and was hauled down in retribution. From Hardaker’s free kick, Jerome’s header crashed off the bar.

Things got scrappy in the closing moments. Hallam managed to win a succession of soft free kicks to make their way up the hill in instalments. Their first sight of goal was brought to a swift end by an off-side flag. The second saw the ball in the net but the referee had already called play back as the free kick had been taken before his signal. Hallam’s appeals could be heard at the top of most of Sheffield’s seven hills and they were reduced to 10 men as the man in the middle chose the loudest of all the Countrymen's protestors to sit in the sin bin for what remained of the game.

It felt like the game might fizzle out but both teams pushed for the win. Hallam still had time to hit the post - in reality a glancing blow from a overhit corner that nearly caught everybody out.

At the other end, Lawrence hit the side netting after an Emley break and Walshaw had a half-chance at the death but his effort ricocheted back onto him and over the bar for a goal kick.

Emley hit top spot with mixed feelings.

Disappointment not to get all three points from a winnable game but also pleased to get something out of a game when not at their best - especially during a difficult first half.

F/T Hallam 1 - 1 Emley

ATTENDANCE- 422

EMLEY- Petrovic, Pashley, Hardaker, Barks, Knowles [c], Cowgill, Clegg, Metcalfe, Jerome, Lawrence, Gooden.

Subs used- Walshaw
Unused- Curtis, Eyles, Jagger, K.Haigh

GOALS- Jerome (54')

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match
Alex Metcalfe