Toolstation NCEL Division One
Craig Denton admitted Hallam were fortunate to come away from Glasshoughton Welfare with three points.
Lowly Glasshoughton may have gone into the clash with just five wins from their last 19 league games but they gave the league leaders a big fright after equalising on the hour mark.
Fortunately Kieran Watson scored his second goal of the game on 70 minutes to earn Hallam a 2-1 win.
“I’m hugely relieved,” Denton told Non League Yorkshire.
“I thought at the end we deserved to take the three points.
“I thought we had many chances and I thought the chances Glasshoughton had were through our mistakes.
“They got in a couple of times.
“The conditions made it quite difficult for both sides – gusty winds and the swirling ball but I did think we just edged it.
“But our performance was off it.
“I thought it was one of our worst performances collectively as a team.
“I thought we started quite flat in the first 15 to 20 minutes and we didn’t really create many chances in those 15 minutes.
“We normally come out all guns blazing.
“Just before the whistle at half-time, Iren (Wilson) could have made it 2-0 and that would have made it more comfortable.
“We could have then gone 2-1 down (after Glasshoughton equalised) so there’s been a lot of twists and turns in this game so I’m just glad we got the three points.”
The match officials came under criticism from all sides and Denton says the referee needed to be stronger.
“I’m unsure in terms of the officiating,” he said.
“Without getting myself into trouble, there was a few decisions where I thought the middle man could have dealt with them in a better manner.
“I’m not sure it was a game that needed red cards and yellow cards.
“If he had nipped it in the bud nice and early in the first half, we wouldn’t have got to that stage.
“Everyone has gone away talking about the referee.”
Both sides had blatant penalty appeals turned down.
“I think Glasshoughton should have had a penalty,” Denton said.
“I thought Niall Smith made contact with (Carl Robinson) and he didn’t touch the ball.
“At the other end, I’m not sure it was in the box but I know it was a foul and again the middle man didn’t want to give the foul (on Smith) because he previously didn’t give (Glasshoughton one) at the other end.”