Hallam 4 Boro 1

6th February 2010

Report by Martin Dowey (Scarborough Evening News)

Scarborough Athletic’s aims of promotion to the Unibond League now look to be over after an abysmal performance against Hallam in South Yorkshire.

The grim 4-1 defeat means Boro now lie 17 points behind leaders Rainworth and any more displays like Saturday’s will certainly spell the end of their push for glory.

Fortunately, the clash at Hallam was shrouded by thick fog, masking the comedy defending for the travelling support.

Hallam certainly took advantage of these gifts in the second half, smashing three goals past a bemused Arran Reid and a static Boro backline, which included debut boy Mike Gibson.

The visitors looked to be continuing where they had left off in their last game against Whitby a few weeks ago when they recovered from a shaky start to grab the lead after 11 minutes.

A glorious flowing move down the left saw Dave Ricardo, Paddy Miller and Ryan Blott link up for Scott Phillips to cap things with a neat finish in the bottom corner.

The advantage could have been extended as Boro continued to push forward against a run-of-the-mill Hallam outfit.

But signs of defensive frailties crept in with 19 minutes played when a hopeful ball into the Boro box was headed comfortably home at the far post by an unmarked Phil Reynolds.

Rob Northen, making his league debut, could have responded immediately when played in on goal by Ricardo, but his shot was forced to safety by the foot of Hallam keeper Martin Taylor. The resulting corner was nodded just wide by the climbing Gibson.

The closing stages of the first half were played out in Boro territory though, and the Sheffield side were unlucky not to take a lead of their own into the break.

Scott Preece dragged a shot across the goal when well placed and Boro full-back Danny Moore almost put the ball in his own bottom corner after failing to control.

Striker Ryan Blott almost gave Boro the perfect start to the second period as his shot from distance was well saved, but this proved to be a false dawn.

Hallam soon took control and some clown-like defending didn’t help Boro’s cause.

Hallam frontman Chris Wood should have made it 2-1 when he was put through on goal, but Reid made a fine save.

The hosts were handed the lead when Boro failed to deal with a blunt-looking attack and Preece smashed home from the edge of the box.

Boro almost levelled straight after the restart when Dave Hartas’ free-kick was flicked into the path of Phillips, but his diving header flew wide.

Hallam then started to pull clear in the final few minutes as Boro’s defence went missing.

Kia Hannity was given acres of space on the right to cross for an unmarked Wood, who coolly slotted in.

At the other end a swirling Blott free-kick was superbly picked out of the top corner by a flying Taylor,  but Boro’s lingering ambitions were killed off in stoppage time.

Wood was presented with his second of the afternoon when more buffoonery at the back rounded off a game to forget.

Boro: Reid, Moore (Carl Wood 59), Kemp (c), Hartas, Gibson, Ricardo (Ellis 63), Hartley, Phillips, Blott, Northen, Miller (Griffin 79), Goal: Phillips 10 Booked: Ricardo.

Hallam: Taylor, Glanvey, Smith, Gelsthorpe, Baker, Reynolds, Tate (Hannity 79), Patterson, Preece, Chris Wood, Pierce, (Naughton 72) Goals: Reynolds 19, Preece 52, Wood 82, 90. Booked: Tate.

Attendance: 210

Referee: S. Ledger