HALLAM FC (Sandygate Road)

FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND, HALLAM 3-3 IRLAM, ATTENDANCE: 638

The FA Cup got underway this weekend as 416 clubs headed off on the road to Wembley. I managed to watch two of the 208 ties and for the second of my choices, I headed the suburbs of Sheffield.

Founded in 1860, Hallam is the second oldest football club in the world. Hallam have played at their Sandygate since their formation, with the ground being officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as "The Oldest Football Ground in the World". The ground is three sided as it is shared with cricket, which is the reason this game was being played on a Sunday. The fixture attracted a bumper crowd and there were a few familiar "groundhopping" faces in attendance.

The tie was an an absolute humdinger, complete with a grandstand finish. Kicking up the slope, Nicholas Taylor (16, 18) and Declan Daniels (37) gave Irlam a 3-0 lead before Daniel Pudill (41) netted to give Hallam a lifeline.

Hallam gave it a good go in the second half but, in truth, rarely troubled Toby Hurst in the Irlam goal. When the homesters were awarded a penalty in the 90th minutes, converted by Oliver Fearon, the partisan crowd sensed an unlikely comeback. The Shed End roared on Hallam and in the 95th minutes Kieren Watson duly equalised. Cue scenes. As a neutral it was a fantastic afternoon of football, proving the magic of the cup was still alive and kicking.

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TUESDAY 8th AUGUST 2023, FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY, SILVER STREET, IRLAM 5-2 HALLAM, ATTENDANCE: 350

After Sunday's superb FA Cup tie, I simply had to head to Silver Street for the replay. Once again the two teams produced another excellent game.

To my amazement, it had been thirteen years since my last trip to Irlam so to say this visit was long overdue would be an understatement. The most obvious change at the ground in those intervening years is the construction of a clubhouse, which was pretty busy this evening. As a non-drinker these days I contented myself with a coffee to wash down the pie, peas and gravy.

The game followed a similar pattern to the first tie with Irlam playing quick counter attacking football. Declan Daniels (2) and a cracker from Alfie Walker (18) got the homesters off to a flying start before Keiren Watson (23) halved the deficit. Nicholas Taylor (40) scored to restore Irlam's two goal advantage but on the stroke of half time Iren Wilson made it 3-2. A pulsating opening half of football.

Hallam came out in the second half on the front foot and to be fair, did everything but equalise, even the woodwork denied them. Irlam were still threatening on the break and in the 88th minute Walker broke and unleashed a rasping shot into the bottom corner to seal the tie.

There was still time for a bit more drama as in stoppage time Nico Digirolamo conceded a penalty and was deemed last man, so was shown a red card. In the arguments that followed goalkeeper Hugo Warhurst spoke out of turn to the linesman and was also shown a red card. When the dust settled Daniels converted the spot kick to ensure Irlam will be at home to Goole AFC in the next round.

GNG OADBY TOWN (The Riverside Ground)

FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND, GNG OADBY TOWN 1-3 BOTTESFORD TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 72 (h/c)

The FA Cup got underway this weekend as 416 clubs headed off on the road to Wembley. I managed to watch two of the 208 ties and for the first of my choices, I headed the outskirts of Leicester.

My decision was heavily influenced by the weather as the first named storm of 2023 (Antoni) made it's way across the country. Fortunately Oadby had tweeted early doors that the pitch had passed an inspection and the game would be going ahead, so off I went along the A50. 

GNG Oadby Town, of the United Counties League, were hosting Bottesford Town, of the Northern Counties East League. Another little quirky aspect to this encounter was that both teams are nicknamed 'The Poachers'. Who would nick this tie?

Oadby Town moved into The Riverside Ground in 2020, after they vacated their Wigston Road home, and adopted the name Guru Nanak Gurdwara Oadby Town in recognition of the local Sikh community that had helped the club when they were on the brink.

The cup tie ended up being a comfortable win for Bottesford, especially as the second half wore on, after a even opening period.

The homesters lost their 'keeper with a broken finger after 7 minutes, the damage sustained as he attempted in vain to keep out Jack Griffin's header. The outfield player who went in goal was (arguably) MotM and kept it down to just the 3 with some excellent saves. This was after Jay Bruce (24) had equalised for Oadby.

Joe Wood (30) and Joe Simpson (47) put Bottesford in a commanding position, and they would have certainly added to their goal tally were it not for the heroics of the stand in 'keeper. Oadby's fate was sealed minutes before the end of the game when they were reduced to 10-men, a defender recieving a red card for a bad challenge.

Given the appalling wet weather today, it was especially pleasing just to get a game in today.

WAKEFIELD AFC (Belle Vue)

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY, WAKEFIELD AFC 3-3 NORTH FERRIBY FC, ATTENDANCE: 339

This afternoon I headed to the Belle Vue, the home of Wakefield Trinity Rugby League, and for season 2023/24, the home of Wakefield AFC. 

This was my first visit here since March 2006 when Wakefield & Emley FC were the 'home' team. I have absolutely no memory of that night but Farsley Celtic beat them 1-0. The ground is currently undergoing some major changes with a new terrace behind the goal and a new main stand still under construction.

This current club to represent Wakefield was founded in 2019, they were promoted to the Northern Counties East League in 2022. They have moved to Belle Vue for season 2023/24, having played at Post Office Road in Featherstone since their formation. 

This afternoon North Ferriby were the visitors for this friendly and it was a decent encounter as Wakefield came from 0-2 and 1-3 down to draw 3-3.

Danny Earl (11) and Joshua Dennett (21) gave The Villagers a 2-0 lead before a Billy Mole penalty (37) halved the deficit. Earl (39) bagged his second to give Ferriby a 3-1 lead at half time.

Mole scored his second on the hour before Mason Rubie (70) ensured the game ended with honours even. A good workout for both teams.

Danny Earl heads home North Ferriby's opening goal.