Toolstation NCEL Division One
Hemsworth Miners Welfare 2-2 Hallam
Unlikely scorer: Cameron Clark celebrates his equaliser for Hemsworth in the 3-3 draw with Hallam
Micah Bishop rescued a last gasp point for play-offs chasing Hallam, minutes after Shane Kelsey thought he had steered Hemsworth to within four wins of the Premier Division.
Nothing much has changed in the race for promotion though after a humdinger in Fitzwilliam. Hemsworth still need five victories to take them to the current magic number of 97. The only difference is that figure will now also secure the title as faltering AFC Mansfield drew at Selby Town.
It was somewhat fitting that the battle of the Division’s never-say-die teams ended in a draw because of a late equaliser. Hallam have only lost once away from home in the league this season and just like Hemsworth, they have developed a penchant for goals in the dying moments. A draw was probably a fair reflection on affairs.
Hemsworth rode their luck in the latest instalment of an incredible season, especially when Tim Whittaker’s header for Hallam was harshly ruled out for climbing after just three minutes by referee Paul Jackson. Jackson, an assistant at Division One level, could be forgiven for the odd error as he was thrown in the deep end after original referee Jamie Waters pulled out late in the morning because of illness.
Hallam edged the first half because of a lot of possession without really hurting Hemsworth’s defence. The Wells nearly nicked the opener towards the end of the half, but Hallam goalkeeper David Derwent was quick off-his-line to block a clean through Danny Critchlow.
Tim Whittaker’s third minute header for Hallam was ruled out for climbing
Micah Bishop jumps to the floor after putting Hallam ahead
Bishop run to join him
Sam Jones makes a break as Hemsworth search for the equaliser
Cameron Clark levels for Hemsworth
Shane Kelsey celebrates with Clark
Kelsey fires Hemsworth ahead with four minutes to go
Shane Kelsey runs away after seemingly putting Hemsworth to within four wins of promotion
The rest of Hemsworth’s team join Kelsey to celebrate
Hemsworth’s ‘kop end’ created a good atmosphere
Hallam’s young midfielder Harry Bamforth was sent off late-on
Hallam raised the stakes straight after the interval. Full-back Bishop fancied his chances from distance after being given room to manoeuvre and helped by an almighty swerve, his bullet flew home.
Hemsworth might have been having an off-day at this point, it was never going to be the end of the story there. Dom Blair injected a bit of life into the Wells and with Hallam dropping deeper and deeper, the pressure was mounting on the visitors.
The equaliser in the final quarter came from an unlikely source. Nodding home a cross from the right was left-back Cameron Clark – picking a brilliant moment to score his first goal of the season.
The game swung from end-to-end. Influential Hallam captain Michael Blythen hit the side-netting after rounding Wells stopper Chris Snaith, a missed opportunity that nearly came back to haunt the visitors.
Kelsey was the danger-man for Hallam’s defence. The experienced attacker was given him too much room to cut inside from the left and that cost Hallam. They got away with it the first time as Kelsey shot straight at Derwent, but not when he fired the ball low and hard into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. That raised the decibels and the job appeared done for Hemsworth, especially when young Hallam midfielder Harry Bamforth was shown a second yellow card straight after the restart.
Even then Hallam were always liable to pop up with an equaliser and within two minutes they were level. Hemsworth’s defence uncharacteristically fell asleep as Blythen’s provided the pass and Bishop ran onto it and hammered the ball past Snaith. Just like Hemsworth did when Kelsey scored, Hallam celebrated wildly. There was even a Darren Hepworth impression from Ryan Hindley.
Speak to the managers and there were no complaints. Look at the table and it was a point gained.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn:
Hallam manager Ryan Hindley:
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Snaith, Wilson (Swift HT), Clark, Jones (Bucknall 80), Viggars, Danville, Connolly (Blair 49), Yates (captain), Law, Critchlow, Kelsey.
Hallam: Darwent, Simpson (Ward 90), Bishop, Bamforth, Lowe, Whittaker, Reed, Phillips, Blythen, Brammer, Livett (Pemberton 68). Subs unused: Barnsley, Dennison, Knowles.
Referee: P Jackson
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 161
Man of the match: Micah Bishop (Hallam)