Toolstation NCEL Division One
Hallam manager Ryan Hindley
Hallam manager Ryan Hindley admits it will take a “monumental effort” to get back into the race for the top two.
But Hindley believes if his squad returns to full-strength, it is not out of the equation.
Injuries to key players such as top goal-scorer Jake Currie, Jack Hargreaves (knee) and Michael Blythen have caused Hallam to drop to sixth and 17 points behind leaders AFC Emley.
“We have fallen away, but looking at how we are at the minute, we have put in two fantastic performances in the cup and I wish we could change that for league games,” Hindley told Non League Yorkshire.
“That’s because we would have won more league games than we have.
“We were’t fantastic on Saturday (in the 3-0 defeat at Rossington) and we have addressed that. We have a massive game with Campion which we know will be tough because they work hard.
“The signing of Kieran Watson is massive for us. The return of Michael Blythen is also great. But we still have Jake Currie and Jack Hargreaves missing.
“We have had 100 goals sat on the side and it is frustrating me now. That’s we have brought Kieran in and brought Mikey back.
“It is going to take a monumental effort to reach the top two now.
“We have a big and good enough squad and if we remain at full-strength we have a good chance.
There will be a few surprises along the way though, now that pitches are starting to get heavy, making injuries more likely.”
Campion are the visitors to Sandygate tomorrow when Hallam will look to end a run of two consecutive league defeats.
The game comes three days after Hallam’s extra-time defeat at Penistone Church in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup quarter-final tie.
Hindley said: “I’m gutted (about the defeat).
“We changed it around because of the injuries, but the players have grafted and worked hard.
“They won races, tackles, headers and they didn’t get what they deserved.
“I am frustrated that we have gave them two goals. I thought we gave away a corner under no real pressure when we could have put it out over the fence for a throw-in and seen it out to penalties.”