UCLan men’s hockey first team were unable to secure promotion to the Northern Conference 1A after suffering a 3-0 defeat against Sheffield Hallam. 

Sheffield secured victory of the men’s hockey shield in March after defeating St Mary’s University College in the final. UCLan narrowly missed out on a spot in the final after losing 6-1 against St Mary’s in the semi finals. 

A win on Wednesday would have capped off a terrific season for UCLan as the team continues to progress. However it was not to be as Hallam capitalised on their chances and successfully closed out the game.  

Throughout the first half UCLan dominated play and possession. An early chance fell to Gareth Sym from a short corner but Hallam’s goalie was up to the task and kept the ball out of the net.  

George Patterson had a superb chance to put UCLan ahead on the ninth minute. Simon Leeson’s through ball gave Patterson a one-on-one with Hallam’s goalie. However he was unable to capitalise on the chance after another outstanding save.  

UClan continued to have the better of the first half and persistent play from Harry Cadwallader lead to two short corners in succession. A quick break by Hallam after the second short corner lead to their first meaningful attack of the first half. UCLan’s goalie Jack Scargill was up to the challenge as he saved his first shot of the afternoon. 

Johnathan Chapman had UCLan’s most clear cut chance of the half five minutes from time. After skilfully beating two defenders from a short corner and with a wide open net to shoot at he put it wide.  

With only minutes left in the half UCLan’s hard work came undone with Hallam opening the score. Scargill was left stranded after a shot was deflected from a short corner into the back of the net. 

Hallam left off from where they started in the second half and looked to double their lead within minutes. Some superb goal line defending from Andrew Leat and Matt Hoffman kept Hallam out for a few minutes until their second goal came. 

Another short corner gave Hallam the cushion they were looking for. A well worked play involving two dummies allowed Hallam’s left winger to roof the ball past Scargill. 

With UCLan pushing for their first goal of the game Hallam capitalised on the space left at the back of UCLan’s defence. Their third goal came on the 59th minute following some scrappy defending from UCLan. A loose ball fell out to a Hallam attacker who nestled the ball in the back of the net. 

As the game and UCLan’s season came to an end tensions flared. Chapman was yellow carded for five minutes after raising his fists towards a Hallam player. 

UCLan’s captain Jack Cropper said: “We had a good first half but we dwelled on our chances whereas Hallam capitalised on them which was clinical. 

“Generally our season has been really good. I am really pleased on how things have gone and the attitude and commitment all of our players have shown.”