Hallam FC

Hallam FC 1 – 2 Emley AFC

The Tuesday night visitors beneath the floodlights at Sandygate were high-flying Emley AFC. A Covid-capacity crowd of 300 welcomed both teams, with tickets having sold out on release day in a remarkable 46 minutes.

It was Emley who started the brighter but as the first half progressed Hallam began to find their rhythm, and started to exert pressure of their own. However in the 20^th minute some hesitant Hallam defending in their own box led to a clumsy challenge, and Emley were awarded a penalty kick. Kyle Willis duly obliged for the visitors. 1 – 0 to Emley AFC.

A damp and overcast Saturday afternoon failed to subdue the spirits of the Sandygate faithful, and it was another Covid regulation sell-out crowd of 300 that welcomed the visitors, Nostell Miners Welfare.

The Sandygate faithful didn't have to wait long for Hallam to take the lead. In the 6^th minute, an assist by Jack Brownell saw Kieren Watson hitting the back of the Nostell net. Nostell's insistence to play the ball out from goal kicks put their defence under pressure for much of the first half, as the Hallam forwards hovered on the edge of the box, ready to pounce on any mistake. This pressure was rewarded in the 15^th minute when Christopher Wood capitalised on some poor Nostell play and scored a classic poacher's goal. 2 – 0 to the Hallam with just 15 minutes played.

Now that Covid stuff is not getting all the headlines anymore, we can announce our Season Tickets for 2020/2021

Our season tickets for the 2020/21 season will go on sale on Friday 4^rd September 2020.

Season Tickets are valid for League Games at Sandygate only. 

To purchase a Season Ticket at Sandygate CLICK HERE

Hallam FC 3 - 1 Parkgate

HT - 0-1

Att - 300

On another decidedly autumnal day at Sandygate, Hallam FC were the hosts of this second qualifying round of the FA Vase, with league rivals Parkgate the visitors. All 300 tickets for the match sold out in less than 24 hours, meaning that once again there was another impressive display of supporters.

The game got off to a lively start, with Hallam creating a good goal-scoring opportunity within the first minute. The Countrymen continued to have a strong first half, with only the final touch missing in order to convert chances into goals. Yet, in the 21^st minute, it was Parkgate who struck first. A rebound off the Hallam 'keeper, David Reay, saw the ball fall to the feet of Frederick Tracey, who slotted it into the back of the net. As the half-time whistle blew the Steelmen were leading one nil, but there was still plenty of football left in this FA Vase tie, and all to play for.

Hallam FC 5 - 3 East Hull

HT - 4-1

Att - 300

After the opening games of the season being played in warm and sunny conditions, the weather decided to remind us all that the Oldest Football Ground in the World really is 'on top of the hill'! It was a misty, chilly, and rainy Saturday afternoon when the Countrymen welcomed East Hull FC to Sandygate.

The weather may have been dull and grey, but from the first minute this was a bright firecracker of a game! With barely sixty seconds on the clock, the first attack by East Hull forced Hallam 'keeper David Reay to make a fine save. In response, the ensuing Hallam attack saw Kieren Watson score a splendid headed goal, putting Hallam in the lead in only the third minute.

Hallam FC 2 - 2 Retford FC

HT - 1-0

Att - 281

A decidedly Autumnal Tuesday evening, the warm weather of late having deserted Sandygate, saw Hallam FC's first game of the new season. The crowd of 281 included Marco and Tonchy, who had made the pilgrimage to the World's Oldest Football Ground all the way from Chile. The visitors beneath the floodlights were Retford FC.

The first half started brightly for both teams, with plenty of fearless, attacking football on display. Some full-blooded challenges saw a spate of free-kicks as the game became increasingly physical. Hallam FC's 'keeper, David Reay, produced a series of good saves to deny the visitors, and then in the 42^nd minute the Countrymen made the break-through when a clumsy challenge by the Retford defence resulted in a penalty. The spot-kick was coolly converted by Sandygate folk hero Kieren Watson.

Hallam FC 1 – 1 Burscough FC

(Hallam FC win 4 – 3 on penalties)

Att: 300 

On another glorious sunny day, beautiful uptown Sandygate hosted the FA Vase with Burscough FC the visitors. An enthusiastic crowd of 300 were served up an afternoon of sporting entertainment that is sure to be talked about for quite some time! This tie was originally meant to be played at Burscough, but work at their ground meant the match had to be moved to Sandygate, and so Hallam found themselves the away team playing at home, and Burscough the home team playing away!

The game got off to a lively start, with instant end-to-end action. Both teams had their share of free-kicks, corners, and half-chances, with both defences proving difficult to break down. However some sloppy Hallam defending on the 40^th minute saw the ball fall to the feet of Burscough's Josh Quarless, who showed great presence of mind to lob the ball over the stranded Hallam 'keeper.

As we look toward the commencement of non-league football in what we hope is the not so distant future, we have been working hard on putting a strategy together which follows both government and FA guidelines as to how we can safely bring fans back into Sandygate.

There have been several developments coming from both organisations, and to coincide with the FA guidelines on COVID-19, we have appointed a COVID-19 officer, created a mission statement and risk assessment for moving forward. We are also constantly making changes and implicating new measures in both the 1860 Bar and the stadium itself to keep, you, and ourselves safe. For those who have visited the 1860 Bar recently will have already seen some of these control measures.