Mens 1s lose to quality opposition

Sheffield Hallam are unbeaten this season and the challenge of taking them on was always going to be a tough one.

With a key game against Sheffield Uni Bankers the next day a performance against Hallam was key to take into the following game. Playing to strengths was a key message before the game.

The game was lively paced and even from the off. Both teams were enjoying good spells of possession and Halifax were certainly putting in the workrate and individual performances missing in recent weeks.

With not long left of the first half Hallam earned a rare corner and from the routine a weak bobbled short looked destined to be saved comfortably by Metcalfe when a deflection off a Halifax stick took it cruelty into the goal.

1-0 halftime and very much in the game Halifax were bouyed by the performance.

Second half followed a similar pattern with Halifax not quite able to find that killer touch in front of goal and the equaliser that they needed.

Halifax were frustrating Hallam and this was clearly visible in a few of their players back chatting.

At the back Jones and Wheatley partnered again in the centre were marshalling the defence well and working hard against a well drilled disciplined Hallam attack that were excellent at running off the ball to create space

Mid way through the second half a break down the Hallam right saw the winger get a yard of space and fire the ball across the D where full back Simon Arch could do nothing as he unwittingly steered the ball into net as he tracked back with the attacker. 2-0

Few minutes later and a similar move saw another ball across the D that was excellently deflected high into the net by the Hallam striker from around the penalty spot.

3-0 down but not out, there was time for a late rally and period of pressure as strikers Jake Bamforth and Matthew Graham worked tirelessly to create opportunities.

With the final move of the game Graham won a free hit that was superbly struck to the back post by Jones and a diving Josh Barron was able to deflect the ball in despite a scrambling dive from the keeper.