Robbie Crapper scored Hemsworth’s late equaliser in the 3-3 draw with Hallam
Robbie Crapper’s piece of late magic ensured Hemsworth Miners Welfare extended their unbeaten league run to 13-games in the pulsating 3-3 draw with resuscitated Hallam in Fitzwilliam.
The grandstand finish was a fitting end to a fantastic advert for Toolstation NCEL Division One football served up by two of the league’s most in-form teams.
Hemsworth have not lost in the league since September’s defeat against leaders AFC Emley, while Hallam were unbeaten in three games so the stage was set for an entertaining encounter.
Hallam were sinking into abyss with no points under Steve Toyne until the arrival of Ryan Hindley in October.
Hindley immediately hit the brakes on his club and inside just eleven games, has transformed them into a team capable of beating anyone.
That was evident to see yesterday against arguably the most exciting attacking team in the Division.
Both sides were disappointed not to win the game, but for different reasons.
Hallam’s Jordan Wasden tackles Hemsworth’s Lee Swift
Ryan Hindley has transformed Hallam’s fortunes
A group of Hemsworth players run to Nick Guest after his cross allowed Robbie Crapper to put the home side ahead
Hemsworth, who were returning to action after almost a month without a game, wasted a hatful of chances in the first half.
Jack Steers hit the crossbar, Will Kemp fired wide and several players missed the target during a mass scramble later in the half.
The home side’s opening goal in the 20th minute was worked well though.
The Division’s top goal-scorer Nick Guest was the supplier with a fine cross from the left-wing which left Crapper with the simplest of tasks of nodding home from inches out.
The Hallam of pre-Hindley days would have probably folded and conceded a few goals.
Days after his appointment, Hindley said his rebuilt team would run through brick walls for him and that’s exactly what they do.
The visitors responded fairly quickly with Jake Wright drawing out Steers and Harry Viggars and then taking them on.
His run finished with a pass to Jordan Wasden and the midfielder scored with a carefully slid strike.
Hallam then hit their hosts hard at the start of the second half.
Poor defending again cost Hemsworth as Andy Hayward’s clearance went wrong and Wright capitalised from close range.
Hallam celebrate Jordan Wasden’s equaliser
Hallam’s defence had to deal with a lot of pressure
Hallam were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure which they did really well for 20 minutes.
But, Hemsworth were always a threat going forward with their quality and their equaliser signalled the start of a frantic final 20 minutes.
Crapper turned provider for their second goal with a neat cross which was turned home by Connolly.
It was then Hallam’s turn to crank up the heat.
Steve Brammer hit the post with an effort before Hallam were awarded a very harsh penalty after Ross Haywood was deemed to have handled.
Brammer sent Jack Bentley the wrong way from the spot to give the advantage back to the visitors.
Hemsworth threw caution to the wind again and ultimately got their reward.
The leveller was conjured up out of nothing, but it was one to remember for Crapper.
The striker received the ball on the edge of the penalty area on the right-hand-side.
He took a touch before unleashing an unstoppable right-footed strike into the top corner.
Hallam tried to catch the home side out on the break in the closing minutes with Hemsworth continuing to go for broke.
Benn’s side then nearly snatched a dramatic winner. Viggars made a superb run from the halfway line and somehow got past two defenders on the edge of the penalty area.
The centre-back initially shaped himself to shoot, but chose to pass to Guest. The striker went for gold, but was denied by the alert Christian Bark in the final act of an exciting game.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn:
“I think I would disagree (that it was a fair result) in terms of chances created and missed.
“I think it was an opportunity that we have let slip again and another two points that have gone begging.
“To my count, I counted six or seven great chances alone in the first half. We had three great chances before we scored.
“But, I suppose while you concede goals like we conceded today then winning games of football are always going to be difficult.
“At 3-2 down, you’re just hoping you can get back into it and it was a great strike to go 3-3 and we had chances to win it in the last couple of minutes.
“Overall, I don’t think we have played as well as we can. I think we battled hard, worked hard and the four week break has hurt us rather than helped us.
“On chances alone, I’m disappointed we haven’t won the game, but I can see why Hallam have picked up. They are strong and they have beaten some good sides.”
Hallam manager Ryan Hindley:
“I think so (it was a fair result).
“The better chances fell to them, but I think we were more clinical and sometimes in games you get what you deserve if you are more clinical.
“I think a point away from home against a very good side we have gone and shown just how good we are along with the spirit we have in the camp at the minute.
“It’s four games unbeaten and I’m immensely proud.
“We were comfortable at times, but take nothing away from Hemsworth as they are the best side we have played going forward.
“We had comfortable spells in the game, but sometimes we give mistakes and at any level if you allow people to put crosses into the box, there becomes a time when they punish you.
“They have taken their goals well and if you look at all their three goals, I thought they were three great goals.
“But, it shows how far we have come because if you go in that dressing room, you’ll see that everyone is disappointed not to have won the game.”
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Bentley, Hayward, Clark, Swift (Dixon 66), Viggars, Steers, Connolly, Yates, Guest, Crapper, Kemp (Haywood 60). Subs unused: Firth, Dawson.
Hallam: Bark, Flannery, Major, Wasden, Hall, Westney (captain) (Parks), Simpson, Flynn, Wright, Brammer, Blythen (Fairweather 54). Subs unused: Fuscoe, Kistell, Dennison.
Referee: Ben Tomlinson
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 109
Man of the match: Robbie Crapper (Hemsworth Miners Welfare)
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