AFC Emley and Hallam share the points in tight contest

10-man AFC Emley had to settle for a point against 9-man Hallam at the Welfare Ground.

Jordan Coduri opened the scoring for the hosts with an effort from outside the area, before Michael Blythen equalized in the second half for Hallam.

The referee brandished three quickfire red cards in the second period, the first of which saw Hallam midfielder Danny Mullooly sent off for violent conduct after he was fouled by Emley captain Michael Tunnacliffe. Shortly after, both Alex Hallam and Elliot Simpson were sent off for an altercation involving one another.

Emley were unable to capitalise on their man advantage, with substitute Sam Scrivens heading wide at the far post, and Coduri having an effort gathered by Jack Dennison in the Hallam goal.

He had managed to get one past him earlier in the game though, as a loose pass from Steve Brammer was picked up by Coduri, who ran against his man, before unleashing a shot which took a slight deflection and beat Dennison to give Emley an early first half lead.

The two teams then exchanged half-chances, with Simpson firing over for Hallam, and Jordan Townend’s long range free kick only just clearing the bar.

After that it was Emley who created the better chances before the break, with Alex Hallam firing the ball across the face of goal, however no player was able to get a touch that would have taken it in. Coduri and Townend both had shots straight at goalkeeper Dennison, which didn’t really trouble him.

The second half began with Michael Blythen’s tame effort, which was easily gathered by Adam Lawlor. Michael Tunnacliffe’s free kick avoided everyone in the area and only just went the wrong side of the post.

Blythen atoned for his miss not long later however, as Brammer found the striker in space and he beat Tom Brennan before managing to find the back of the net to make it 1-a-piece.

Mullooly then saw red after his violent reaction to Tunnacliffe’s foul on the number 8, which saw the Emley captain receive a yellow card.

Not long after both Alex Hallam and Elliott Simpson saw red on the far side of the pitch as tensions began to flare up.

Hallam then produced a well worked passing move, which ended with Jed Phillips’ shot being saved by Lawlor.

Scrivens’ diving header at the far post went just wide, before Jordan Coduri had another effort saved by Dennison.

Emley had a few more chances to create something, but couldn’t muster anything in the late stages as Hallam tried to counter but were foiled on more than one occasion by brilliant challenges from Robbie Graham and Ryan Brook.

The result means Emley are now twelve games unbeaten as they travel to Penistone Church for the Boxing Day fixture.