The match began amid blustery conditions with both sides eager to assert dominance over the other from the off.
The officials were called into action in the 3rd minute when UoS midfielder Seb Robbemond was adjudged to have impeded his midfield counterpart, receiving a caution for his troubles.
Both teams started the match nervously with the ball changing possession frequently during the first ten minutes. A crunching tackle from Uni Of captain Ollie Gee – a star of last year’s success – drew a roar from the black and gold supporters in the early stages.
There was controversy minutes later as a knee into the lower back from Hallam’s #16 went unpunished by the referee, who adjudged a reprimand to be a more suitable punishment.
Hallam almost took the lead approaching the 20 minute mark when a clever cut back from their #21 was cleared by Gee. From the resulting corner, defensive partner Eddie Norton rose bravely to prevent a certain goal and clear.
Gee prevented a certain goal on the next meaningful passage of play. The ball was worked nicely into the dangerous Hallam striker but he was denied by the defender’s flailing body.
The UoS forged their first real opportunity soon after when a neat pass from Robbemond set talisman Jamie Schofield away. Trickily, the forward cut onto his right foot but saw his effort fly far wide of the right-hand post.
The ‘away’ side were growing in confidence and almost scored the opener just shy of the half-hour mark when winger Alec Wallace floated a delicious right-footed cross to Schofield who glanced a header just wide of the left post, which the keeper had covered.
With forty minutes on the clock, tricky midfielder Gino Ciesco slid Wallace through down the channel. On the stretch, the mercurial wide man made no mistake, sliding the ball beneath the sprawling goalkeeper for 1-0.
Although ahead at the interval, the black and gold men trudged towards the dressing room at half time not content with their performance in the first period.
Hallam were sent out early after the break and started the second period the better team. After a goalmouth scramble left UoS unpunished, Hallam’s #5 rose at the back post but his header was skewed high and wide.
On 55 minutes, goalscorer Wallace and influential frontman Ed Berry were replaced by Ben Mellor and Stefan Bruggers respectively.
Mellor was straight into the action immediately, being scythed down by Hallam’s #35 who was promptly booked, along with a teammate for his protests. Mellor fired the subsequent freekick just over the bar with ferocious power.
With 25 minutes remaining, players from both sides began to suffer with cramps and various stoppages ensued.
Mellor saw his left-footed half volley from inside the box smartly saved by James Williams at the near post.
With 15 minutes remaining, Hallam levelled the scores. A mix-up between the centre-backs and the otherwise excellent Elliott McKee in goal allowed the maroon striker to pounce and loft the ‘keeper from the edge of the box.
The match petered out towards the end as both sets of players visibly tired. Substitute Toto Takahashi could have won the game for Uni Of with the last kick of the game but saw his near post scramble denied by a combination of goalkeeper and flying defenders to prevent a late winner.
FT – University of Sheffield Mens 1XI 1-1 Sheffield Hallam University Mens 1XI
