Missed chances for Thackley AFC and a Danny South goal for Hallam FC were enough to see the Dennyboys fall to defeat in the Play Off Semi Final at Sandygate in front of a fantastic crowd of 1,358, with a strong travelling Thackley AFC support included in those numbers.

There was a boost before the game as Luke Wilson and Liam Hudson returned to the starting XI following suspension, but a blow with the news in the week that Captain Ben Grech-Brooksbank has suffered a fractured foot and was ruled out of the game and, regardless of the result, meant his season was over. George Green came into the starting lineup in his place.

The game got underway with Thackley attacking down the famous Sandygate slope first half, and it was Thackley who would have the game’s first chance 4 minutes in. A throw to Brown saw him roll his man and a cross across the box just evaded Barnes sliding in at the back post. Cadman would have Hallam’s first effort on 10 minutes as he received the ball on the edge of the box and dragged a shot wide of the left hand post. On 13 minutes South picked up one of the games first of many yellow cards for a foul on Liam Hudson, which was a challenge which would sadly end the defenders game as he had to come off with a knee injury 5 minutes later to be replaced by Alfie Gibbon.

Thackley would then take control of the game and had a series of chances. First Barnes crossed to Donovan but the cross just evaded him at the far right post. Donovan would then return the favour with a cross which the defender just did enough to stop Barnes getting a strike at goal from 6 yards out, before another great Donovan cross saw Barnes have a free header at the back post which he could only head over the bar. On 27 mins, a flick on saw Donovan get a shot away which Warhurst saved and Green could not convert the follow up and on 29 mins a Donovan cross saw Brown head back across goal, with Mitchell arriving and the goal seemingly at his mercy. The ball sat up on him though and the strike went over the bar.

Green then picked up a yellow card on 41 mins for a high foot when challenging for the ball, followed by Brownell for Hallam for a late tackle on Barnes, as the final period of the first half slowed down with not much more action. Thackley had definitely had the better of the first half chances wise, but knew that it was going to be a different task second half when attacking up the slope and defending from the “bottom end”.

HALF-TIME: Hallam FC 0 v 0 Thackley AFC

The first chance of the second half came the way of Thackley as Donovan got free down the left and after cutting inside, his shot to the near post was saved by Warhurst. A bizarre moment on 52 minutes saw the referee stop a promising Thackley attack. Green won the flick on but was fouled on his ankle, before Brown played a great through ball to Donovan who was in behind the full back on the right wing. The referee brought the play back for a “head injury” to Green, despite him clearly being in pain and holding his ankle, to the dismay of the Thackley players and supporters. From a promising attack the game would restart with a drop ball.

Hallam FC would continue to test the Thackley back line with targeted long passes towards South and try to get in behind the Thackley back line, but so far the defenders had stood up to the task and had been able to keep the Hallam front line quiet. Sugden would find his cross when well placed sadly go behind for a goal kick before Bradbury for Hallam had a shot from range over the bar.

On 68 minutes, the game would get its only goal of the game. The Hallam winger on the right managed to evade challenges from Donovan and Barnes and he stood up a ball to the back post with a good cross, where South was able to rise highest and nod into the net from 6 yards out to give the home side a crucial advantage.

On 69 minutes Morrisey would replace Green which saw Sugden move higher up the pitch and Morrisey go into midfield alongside skipper for the day Joe Mitchell. Thackley knew they had to push forward and on 75 minutes, good work from Barnes with a quick throw to Donovan saw a cross to Brown, who controlled well but his effort would go wide of the near post. On 77 minutes Wilson would make a good save from a deflected effort from Allan from range. Hallam would then pick up two yellow cards, one for a foul on Mitchell as Thackley were counter attacking and another for Pudil for kicking the ball away. On 82 minutes, Thackley made another change as Gibbon made way to bring on Ahmed to try get that crucial equaliser which would force a penalty shoot out. On 85 minutes, Ahmed was involved straight away as he cut inside and spread the play to Barnes on the left. He cut inside but his cross / shot was gathered by Warhurst.

The home side were doing all they could to slow the game down as you would expect with time taken over set pieces and substitutes made. In stoppage time Morrisey tried a shot from range which was deflected. As Hallam looked to counter, excellent work from Rhodes saw him win the ball back before playing Barnes on the left. Rhodes was fouled and the Hallam man kept hold of him on the floor, with Rhodes looking to get up and push off. The linesman flagged and the referee blew up, with the end result a free kick to Hallam and a red card for Rhodes.

Stoppage time went beyond the additional 6 minutes due to this, and in 90+9 minutes there were yellow cards for Morrisey, Howarth, Warhurst and Parsons which was the result of the players coming together. Howarth had refused to give the ball back to Parsons when trying to take an attacking late throw with the players all showing their feelings either way. The throw in was flicked on at the front post but sadly there was no-one there in a red shirt at the back post.

As the ball was cleared, the referee blew his whistle for full time and with that the Dennyboys saw the end of their season with Hallam progressing to the Play Off Final to face Beverley Town next week.

FULL-TIME: Hallam FC 1 v 0 Thackley AFC

A tight game as you would expect with so much on the line. The missed chances in the first half when Thackley were on top were sadly ones which were rued after Hallam made their chance count with the goal from South. Whilst defeat is always disappointing, this does not take away from another fantastic season which has included progression once again on and off the pitch. The Thackley team were rightly applauded off by the strong Thackley contingent in attendance supporting the game, and the Hallam FC supporters as well which was very much appreciated.

We wish Hallam FC all the best in the Play Off Final next week against Beverley Town and thank them for the hospitality shown during the game yesterday and managing such a fantastic crowd of 1358 in attendance.

For the Dennyboys, there will no doubt be a short period of rest before attentions turn to preparation for the 2025/2026 season.

Hallam FC team: Warhurst; Brownell; Sharman; South; Bradbury; Lipka; Cadman; Allan; Litchfield; Smith; Pudil.
Subs: Buttle; Ward; Blakeley; Howarth; Playford.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson; Parsons; Rhodes; Sugden; Dempsey; Parsons; Hudson (Gibbon 19mins)(Ahmed for Gibbon 80mins); Donovan; Mitchell©; Brown; Green (Morrisey 69mins); Barnes.
Unused Subs: Hamdosh; Terrelonge-Jones.

Hallam FC scorers: South (58mins).

Thackley AFC scorers: None

Attendance: 1368
Photo Credit: @Ianthemaneman on X/Twitter