When the grumpiness over the result has passed, it's possible that @HallamFC1860 will reflect on some decent play against high-flying Barton Town. A very even first half saw plenty of action, but neither side really settling into a rhythm or making a really clear chance.
Hallam came out really spritely for the second half and had much more pressure but, an offside effort from Agnew apart still struggled to test Barton. Given the opponents' quality, a sucker punch was always on the cards and it duly arrived after 70 minutes. A ball from the Barton left got deflected onto the underside of the bar and the linesman said it had crossed the line before being hooked out. Hallam found it no easier breaking down Barton after that and got a second punishment they barely deserved when a free-kick from the Barton right ran through a crowded box to sneak inside the far post.
Denton kept the players on a pitch for a while after the whistle and clearly had a few things to say, but it was a decent game and it was always going to be harder this year…
