With a number of first team regulars still missing through suspensions incurred last season and holidays, Joe Rawcliffe was given his first start to replace the unavailable Luke Aldrich. Harry Colville and Nash Connolly were back though, with the former filling in at fullback to replace the unavailable Steven Jeff. New signing Somuadina Ndu was among the substitutes.
Garforth enjoyed most of the possession early doors in a scrappy, wind-afflicted first period. Max Tweddle's free kick was deflected narrowly wide by Jack Brownell, then moments later a Dan Coupland strike was deflected just off-target when set up on the edge of the box by Davis. There was another chance for "Captain Coops" after good work by Davis and Rawcliffe, his header claimed by Hallam keeper Hugo Warhurst. Shortly after, Davis had a go himself with a trademark thirty-yard strike which Warhurst turned wide. An effort from a similar distance by Matthew Savage on 27 mins went just wide.
The well-organised visitors looked to hurt us on the counter-attack and were appealing for a penalty on 39 mins when Paulo Aguas went down in the box, but the referee waved play on. Just before half time, Benny Ndlovu almost picked out Brandon Bradbury in the six yard box, but the centre-back couldn't get the decisive touch and Tweddle managed to clear the danger.