HALLAM BEATEN BY GOALS AFTER TWO MINUTES IN EACH HALF

HALLAM 0 V YORKSHIRE AMATEURS 2
NCEFL 1ST DIVISION--17 FEB 2015---7.45pm

THE IMPRESSIVE MAIN STAND AT HALLAM FC

Hallam somehow lost this game with early goals in each half, 2nd and 47th minutes, against a Yorkshire Amateurs side who defended with gusto has Hallam blustered their way through the 90 minutes.
A first visit under the guise of the blog but a re visit after years away from Sandygate the home, of course, of Hallam FC the oldest ground and second oldest club.  Having taken the 51 out through Crosspool and alighted just before the ground the blog arrived an hour before kick off and with entrance fee paid and £2 programme purchased, a little expensive, it was the usual ground tour.  Not a circuit here because the ground doubles as a cricket ground and subsequently its a three sided affair.

STAND BEHIND THE TOP GOAL

Behind the top goal as we enter is a shallow covered terrace looking down the famous slope.  If you walk straight on from the entrance you first arrive at the modern built 1860 function suite which in its entrance displays a few artefacts and then the bar and TV area.  Moving along the side of this facility you come to the modern and well positioned main stand with its blue and white tip up seats and to the side is the snack bar with a variety of foods and drinks on offer, the latter in very small cups.

VIEW FROM THE MAIN STAND

Below the stand are two porta-cabins the first of which houses club officials and the PA announcer.  You can walk down and around the bottom end goal which also houses some practice nets for the cricket club. The far side is railed off neatly  but save for ball boy this is a no standing area.  The dugouts are modern built affairs with around them and the stand warnings to watch your swearing gentlemen!
Once again there was a variety of representatives from other clubs including our usual friends from AFC Mansfield, including manager Rudi Funk, Brian Bradley and NCEL officials etc.
So to the game and after two minutes the visitors were in the lead when Craig Heard fired home a well guided 20 yard effort after a free lock that was blocked by the 'wall' found its way out to him.  The remainder of the half saw Hallam seeking an equaliser but at half time they had not restored the parity.
Hallam must have been slow out from the break because again within two minutes Yorkshire Amateurs doubled their lead when Harrison Blakey lashed home a vicious shot 10 yards.  We then saw a repeat of the first half with Hallam dominant but unable to break down the visitors resolute defence.  Steve Brammer struck a post from 20 yards, Vill Powell fired wide when it looked certain he would equalise and then a few moments later his head flew wide and you began to believe it would not be Hallam's day.

ENTRANCE TO THE 1860 SUITE

With its three sided ground and slope its a funny old ground to view on but with an excellent stand and the history associated with Hallam its a must for all football fans to visit and after not visiting for quite a few years this was an enjoyable evening out in South Yorkshire.
The blog would also like to thank fellow visitors Steve who once again assisted with a fantastically generous lift all the way back to base, thank you!  This was very much appreciated on an increasingly cold evening.
#non league family!
There is a nice touch on leaving the ground ta sign thanking you for coming to visit, always a nice touch.

ADVERTISING BOARD OUTSIDE THE GROUND PROMOTES THE CLUB