Dronfield Town went down by three goals to one in a typically wholehearted and committed local derby against Hallam FC.
Town took the lead towards the end of the first half but shipped three goals against a belligerent Hallam outfit in the second as the visitors took all three points back to their Sandygate home.
The full 90 minutes typified derby football with both sides showing a high level of desire and commitment. Hallam had the first effort of note – Wilson's header hitting the bar with Treasure’s follow up doing the same thing and bobbling over to safety.
At the other end, the goals led a charmed life as Mawbey’s curling effort hit the crossbar and just minutes later, Rupere cut inside from a throw in and rattled his shot against the outside of the post.
Dronfield lost influential winger Matty Ord to injury in the 40th minute but didn’t seem affected as they took the lead just two minutes later.
Callum Mawbey won the ball in midfield and fed Danny Wood, who raced on and finished well past Hallam keeper James Leverton.
Hallam levelled matters just two minutes after the restart. Sam Smith’s flick freed Reece Treasure, whose cross come shot was bundled home by Jordan Turner with the Dronfield defence looking to the assistant referee for an offside decision.
The same assistant allowed a visibly offside Turner to race through unchallenged on the hour mark; Lewis Naylor making a superb stop with his legs to deny the Hallam forward.
Hallam did take the lead six minutes later however. Bishop’s left wing cross was met bravely by Sam Smith’s stooping header to make it 2-1 and left Smith playing the remainder of the game with his head bandaged.
Hallam sealed the victory in the 76th minute. Turner’s shot was well saved by Naylor but Micah Bishop followed up to put the rebound in the back of the net from close range.
A series of petty yellow cards ended the game summing up some indifferent officiating but there could be no arguing with the overall result.
Dronfield attempt to bounce back away at Rotherham-based side Parkgate FC next Saturday.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Rawson, Stewart, Flower, Pugh, Hill, Wood, Chappell, Rupere, Mawbey, Ord.
Hallam: Leverton, Wraith, Staniland, Wilson, Roebuck, Phillips, Treasure, Reed, Smith, Turner, Bishop.
Attendance: 116
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