Sandygate Road, the World’s Oldest football ground and home to Hallam FC, the World’s second oldest Football Club who compete in Step 6 of the non league pyramid in the Northern Counties East League Division One. Still at Sandygate Road after playing there since 1860! My fourth visit to this ground after visiting twice with Shirebrook Town and my most recent being a pre-season fixture against Sheffield United in 2019. Tonight it’s the visit of Rossington Main in the Quarter Final of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup! Let’s hope it’s a cracker!
Training is over for me! Time to head to Crosspool with Match Days Joe. 30 minutes till kick off and here we are! £5 to watch this Sheffield & Hallamshire cup tie! Ecstatic! During my visits to Sandygate Road in the past, Hallam have lost all 3… Will that change tonight?
Kick Off! 4 minutes in and Hallam have it on the left flank, played in, Hallam get it and play it across goal… They get there at the far post… Rossington get there and clear. 7 minutes now and Rossington play it to Myron Gibbons and he beats his man on the halfway line and he drives at goal, he shoots just inside the box… Over!
Rossington looking the better of the 2 teams so far. 21st minute and Rossington have the ball on the halfway line, through ball played to Myron Gibbons, he’s onside and he’s in on goal, keeper comes out… And he makes the save! Great save there with the Hallam fans showing their appreciation and Rossington have a corner, in it comes… Cleared by Hallam.
30th minute and Rossington are looking the real deal here! They have it on the left wing, crossed in… Headed behind by Vanks, corner again for Rossington, in it comes… Keeper collects. 1 minute later and Hallam work forward now, they have it on the left, crossed in, Hallam slide for it… It comes for Watson to tap home… And he does!!! Smash & grab!!! It’s 1-0 to Hallam!!
34 minutes on the clock, Rossington have a free kick in the Hallam half, it’s lumped into the box, it falls to Myron Gibbons to shoot… OH! What a save!!! It’s not done yet as Tyla Bell retrieves it, he shoots… He puts it over!
2 minutes later and Hallam play a long ball forward, Gregory picks it up and he goes for goal from 35 yards out… Tipped over brilliantly by the keeper!! Corner for Hallam, whipped in… Over everyone and out… Wasted! 2 minutes after that and Rossington come again, Paul Sherburn has it 25 yards out and he shoots… Keeper stretches and gets there but Myron Gibbons retrieves it on the right of the box, he plays it across and it’s struck towards goal… Off the line!! Comes back to Dec Slater to strike on the edge of the box… Straight at the keeper.
41st minute and Rossington are all over Hallam here at the moment. The ball comes to Tyla Bell who drives at goal, he gets into the box and shoots… Off the line again!!! Corner, in it comes… Cleared! Somehow Rossington don’t equalise and at the break, Hallam remain in the lead.
Second half, 1st minute of the second half and Rossington have it on the left, crossed in and it comes to Tyla Bell… Surely… Yes!! This time!! Rossington have their goal and it’s 1-1! What a start to the second half here!
50 minutes now and Rossington play a ball across to the edge of the box, it’s brought down and set up for Myron Gibbons to shoot… He’s skied it! Could be better! 2 minutes later and Hallam have a corner, in it comes… Flicked towards goal… Off the line! Both teams battle to win it back but Hallam concede a foul and it’s a free kick to Rossington.
55th minute and Hallam have a free kick about 30 yards out in a shooting position, Scully to take for Hallam, he shoots… He’s struck the bar!!! What a goal that nearly was! 61st minute and Rossington come forward, Myron Gibbons has it in the box and he plays it to Sean Mundy running in, he shoots… Keeper saves and Hallam clear.
65 minutes played and Rossington are starting to dominate again just like the first half, they play it to Tyla Bell who gets into the box and he shoots… AND HE FINISHES!!! 1-2!! No more than Rossington have deserved!
3 minutes later and Rossington have the ball on the halfway line, it’s played through to Myron Gibbons who’s beaten the offside trap and he’s through on goal, he’s around the keeper… He teases the Hallam defender tracking back and he can walk it in… And has!! 1-3!! Rossington looking irresistible here now!
79th minute and Rossington play a through ball to Myron Gibbons again and he’s beaten the offside trap again and he’s in AGAIN! And he scores AGAIN!!! 1-4!! That should be that!
85 minutes now and Rossington come down the right flank, it’s crossed in low… It comes to Josh Yeomans at the back stick… He can’t miss!! It’s 5 for Rossington!!! 1-5!! They have done a job on Hallam tonight!! The Referee blows for full time! Hallam outclassed… Rossington outstanding! Am I a bad luck charm for Hallam?
FT: Hallam 1-5 Rossington Main
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3.5/10 – A good crowd in here tonight! Not much chanting but a bit of noise from the home faithful.
- The Ground: 8/10 – I was very harsh last time! A lot of history here with a good stand and it’s been done up a bit more since my last visit. The clubhouse is good, the stands are fantastic but I’m still not a fan of the inaccessibility of one side and the slope but it’s certainly a great ground!! Definitely not a 4/10 that I gave last time!
- Expense: 10/10 – £5 for 6 goals! Thank you!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – A great night out here! Always a good one with Match Days Joe and great to see some good football tonight!!
30.5/40 – BETTER THAN LAST TIME!!
Check out my previous visit here