The NCEL will feel a little strange next season as it will be the first without Hallam who have been promoted to Step 4 of the FA's National League System following a breathtaking Premier Division Play-Off Final on Saturday.

The Countrymen, who have been with the league since its inception in 1982, turned round a two goal deficit at half-time to make the move up into the Pitching In Northern Premier League after a penalty shoot-out with Beverley Town decided matters at Sandygate.

McCauley Snelgrove struck in the ninth minute and then in stoppage time to give the visitors a healthy lead by the interval and their following support must have been hopeful that they could move up the Pyramid to cap off their fantastic first season in the Premier Division.

But, in front of a massive crowd of 1,563, the home side refused to lie down and had drawn themselves back level within eleven minutes of the restart through Leon Howarth and then the league's top scorer Rio Allan who netted his 38th goal of the season to restore parity.

Ending 2-2, the game went to penalties and, in a nail-biting finale, it was Hallam who went through 4-3 on spot kicks, Hugo Warhurst saving from Elliott Andrew to send the home side into huge celebrations.

The league send our congratulations to Hallam for their promotion and we are sure that they and league champions Silsden AFC will both do very well at their new level next season.

The two semi-finals in the Division One Play-Offs also took place on Saturday and it will be a very local derby next week to see which side will join Horbury Town in making the move up into the Premier Division.

A dramatic injury time winner from Jamie Austin saw Dearne & District snatch a 1-0 win at Wakefield AFC just when it looked as though the tight game was going to be taken to penalties.

Dearne will make the five mile trip to Wombwell Town next weekend for the final after their neighbours came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Ilkley Town.

Eliel Maville-Anku had given the visitors a fourteenth minute lead before Edward Agnew's leveller midway through the second period gave the hosts hope.

Jordan Kershaw then struck with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining to claim the win for Wombwell and all eyes will be on the Recreation Ground next Saturday for what should be another fascinating encounter.

Meanwhile, special mention must also be made of the attendances at both semi-finals with over 900 at Wakefield and 600 at Wombwell, meaning that more than 3,000 spectators were at the three NCEL matches that took place.

We thank everyone for their attendance and to the volunteers and backroom staff at all three home clubs for their hard work in making sure the weekend was a huge success.

Photo: Celebrations for Hallam after their penalty shoot-out win over Beverley Town in the NCEL Premier Division Play-Off Final on Saturday secured the Countrymen promotion to Step 4 of the FA's National League System.