Shirebrook’s promotion hopes alive and kicking

Saturday’s clash saw Shirebrook take the game away from the visitors in a first half where Liam Morris struck twice and Andre Johnson put them in to a commanding lead.

Jamie York and Lewis Chambers caused Hallam problems down each flank and it took a strong run and cross from Connor Smythe that found Morris in space to finish sharply on 23 minutes.

Not long after an unselfish York played his part, finding Johnson in a promising position on the half-hour mark and doubling the home side’s advantage on the half-hour mark.

The frustration was clear on the visitors’ bench and they were handed a lifeline when Gareth Campion was given his marching orders after being shown a second yellow.

His second caution was for scything down an attacker right on the edge of the penalty area. But Shirebrook managed to repel the immediate onslaught from the away side.

They managed to find their feet once more and when Adam Shepherd was impeded as he shaped to shoot in to the opponents’ penalty area, the referee eventually pointed to the spot. Morris took responsibility but saw his penalty kick saved only for the rebound to fall kindly for the striker to put Shirebrook in to a 3-0 lead at the break.

Hallam, in mid-table had gone in to the game at Langwith Road on the back of five straight wins, reduced the arrears ten minutes in to the second period through Michael Blythen. Morris put any lingering doubts of a possible tense finale to bed with his third and Shirebrook’s fourth two minutes from time when he headed in Chambers’ free-kick delivery.

Shirebrook move up to fourth, five points off the top with seven to go.