The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam put on a disappointing 0-0 bore-draw at Sheffield Hallam Sports Park.
With a bumper crowd clad with a hybrid of black and gold and maroon attires, fans would eventually be left dispirited after both sides put out a mundane performance, to be frank.
There was no obvious winner in this game, with both sides very evenly matched, very strong defensively and equally poor in the final third, not tailoring to the intense match-up that we were hoping for in the anticipated clash.
The weather was the highlight of the day, as the sun shone down with persistence and temperatures were more than acclimate for players and fans.
The game began, with UoS on top from the get go, Hallam seemed lacklustre in midfield, allowing runs through the channels and down the wings. Adam Petitt had the first shot on target, after a flowing move down the right hand side, yet it wasn’t enough to test Jay Rabone in goal.
Hallams slow start continued, with George Bunyan’s free kick saved and Jack Roys’ header saved after Otis Brown’s floated corner.
However, they quickly began to match UoS, winning free kicks, which were beautifully floated in by Sam Hooper, causing a goalmouth scramble in the box. Finn O’Leary, captain and goalkeeper, made a great stop from close range to deny Harvey Day in the 28th minute.
Hallam continued in a purple patch, dominating the midfield, winning every second ball and mounting the pressure. Luckily for UoS, the weather brought an end to the increasing momentum, with a drinks break required to keep all players hydrated in warm temperatures.
The best chance of the game came in the 42nd minute, with UoS hitting the crossbar after a brilliant flick-on from the striker, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot, and thanking his goal post.
The first half ended controversially, with huge appeals for handballs from the crowd, after Petitt’s shot seemingly struck the arm of the Hallam fullback, who was lucky VAR couldn’t make it to the fixture today.
HT: Uni Of Sheffield 0-0 Sheffield Hallam
The second half had a monotonous start, with both teams lacking creativity in the final third, and making constant, sloppy mistakes, much to the crowds dismay.
The first chance of the half went to UoS, after Bunyan led a rapid counter-attack after a Hallam corner, with the fizzed shot being dragged wide of the left post.
Hallam’s best chance of the game came when Hooper’s free kick, just shy of the half-way line was met with a thunderous header from the centre-back, who was unable to beat O-Leary’s strong hands.
Niall Butchart received the first yellow card of the game in the 58th minute, in a game where cynical fouls were not apparent, as Hallam began to assert themselves in the game again.
The second drinks break came in tandem with Roy’s injury concern, after he went down on the half-way line, after a rash tackle from Kai Williams, calling the physios into duty for the first time this afternoon.
UoS came close again through dangerous striker Mark Ashley, after a perfectly executed touch and fake shot, sending the Hallam defender wide of the mark, before drawing out another brilliant low save from Rabone to keep Hallam in contention.
The rest of the game remained a mellow contest, unfortunate for those who had high expectations, with both universities having shots go high and wide, and not truly testing the goalkeepers, who had a relatively comfortable afternoon.
In the last minute of the game, it looked as if Sandy Masaku had played Ben Smith through on goal, not before UoS defender Angelo Timbiani had something to do about it, with a world class slide tackle at full stretch, denying a clear-cut opportunity for Hallam to claim Varsity glory in cruel fashion.
The game was battled hard, and both sets of defence had something to be proud of, very composed and decisive at all times, not allowing either attacks a real sniff at goal. Although this didn’t appeal to the entertainment factor, it was a result that was fair for both sides.
FT: Uni of Sheffield 0-0 Sheffield Hallam
Featured Image Credit: Joseph D’Ambrosio
