The University of Sheffield ran out winners in a dramatic 3-2 win over Sheffield Hallam in the Men’s Football 1s match.
The game saw all five goals scored before half-time and whilst the University of Sheffield were the better of the two sides before the break, Hallam dominated large periods of the second-half and were denied a penalty in the game’s big talking point.
Disaster struck for favourites Hallam just two minutes in as Ben Mellor hoisted a dangerous ball in from the right. In his attempt to clear the danger, Hallam’s 35 could only divert the ball past his own goalkeeper Matthew Dalton and into the net.
After winning a corner for his side, Mellor then doubled Uni of Sheffield’s advantage from the resulting set-piece just before the quarter of an hour mark. Hallam failed to clear Harry Meat’s corner and the ball fell to the Black and Yellow forward who stabbed home from six yards out.
A mistake by Uni of Sheffield’s Fabian Horrocks in midfield was pounced upon by the electric Hallam 36. As he approached the penalty area, he cut the ball back for 19 who curled an excellent effort into the bottom left corner past Archie Donaldson in the Uni of goal.
Just as Hallam had begun to grow into the game, Uni of Sheffield stretched their advantage back to two goals through Keyworth. A low cross from the left by Meats was coolly swept home by the Uni of captain who wheeled away in celebration.
In a final twist just as the interval approached, Hallam 36 and 19 combined once more with the latter producing a looping half-volley which looped agonisingly over Donaldson.
The second-half was a much more one-sided contest as Hallam dominated the ball in search of their equaliser.
Just before the hour mark 19 had a chance for his hat-trick but could only head over when he was found unmarked in the Uni of Sheffield box and just after Keyworth flashed one over the bar at the other end.
Then came the game’s flash point after 36 was fouled by Uni of Sheffield’s Will Webb in the penalty area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was only then he became aware that the linesman had already flagged for a foul on a Uni of player in the build-up to the goal.
After a quick consultation, the referee was forced to overturn his decision, much to the fury of the Hallam players and staff.
The final 15 minutes of the game saw Hallam, who were reduced to 10 men late on, resort to more direct football but Uni of Sheffield stood strong under the onslaught to hold on for the victory.