AFC Liverpool v Hallam, FA Vase, 2nd October 2010

Prior to AFC Liverpool's FA Vase meeting with Hallam in October 2010, I was quite ignorant to an important piece of football history.  I was of course aware that Sheffield FC is the world's oldest football club, but I did not know that Sheffield v Hallam is the world's oldest football derby!  I did though guess that Hallam FC probably was located in Sheffield, due to the Sheffield Hallam University which I had heard of.

Despite being one step higher in the Non-League Pyramid, the visitors had a shaky start.  It did though take half an hour before AFC's dominance was rewarded.  I recall the opening goal as a delicious spoon into the net by Steve Jones.  The Reds' first half dominance warranted a more decisive lead in all honesty.  

Just before half time there was a minute of drama.  Callum Tai-Hogan gave away a penalty, which was subsequently saved initially by Jack Baker.  From the rebound, another Hallam attacker hit the bar.  Eventually Darren Torpey headed off the line, before Karl Gornell completed the clearance.  Moments later, the ball was up at the other end of the field and Thomas Lamb was one on one with the Hallam Keeper.  Unfortunately, Lamb missed the opportunity, and it was not the first such opportunity he had squandered.

The visitors responded after the break, and missed a couple of opportunities to draw level.  The first was when their number 8 fired over, after being put through on goal.  The second opportunity saw their striker turn in the six yard box, shoot between a defender's legs, before seeing his effort come back off the post.  Most definitely a couple of let offs for the Reds.

AFC then extended the lead against the run of play, following a move involving Karl Gornell.  River Humphries was eventually played in on the right hand side to fire us into a 2-0 lead.  A third goal followed from Thomas Lamb, having previously missed another good opportunity to score.  His latest miss led to calls from Dave the Rattler for his substitution!

All in all a good day's work from the lads, and yet another pleasing performance which was witnessed by the Voice of Anfield (who was now becoming a bit of a Valerie Park Regular).  There was a good bit of banter I recall from this match which was caused by Central Defender, Steve McCluskey.  McCluskey was very fortunate at one point to earn a free kick, after being caught trying to play the ball out of defence.  I subsequently likened him to the Kaiser, or stated something to the effect that he must think he is the Kaiser!

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