FRIENDLY: Hallam F.C - Manchester City U18's

Competition: Friendly

Level: N/A

Teams:  Hallam - Manchester City XI (U18's)

Venue: Sandygate Road, Crosspool, Sheffield

Beginning as all seasons do with a tough pre-season, Hallam F.C. is the first of a proposed two game pre-season for me, including Rotherham United - Sheffield United XI at the New York Stadium. This was my first trip to Sandygate, and I have to say I was impressed. At one end of the ground is a lovely covered terrace, and down the eastern edge was a rather larger stand with terracing and some seating. This game, in spite of being only a pre-season friendly against the Premier League side's kids was busy, with an attendance of around 300 friendly locals, and some good-natured banter in the clubhouse.  Everyone was really welcoming, and got got into a bit of a chat with the lady selling Hallam merchandise on the way into the clubhouse, and with the barman in the (surprising sparsely populated) bar, before taking a seat at the window for the beginning of the first half.

Dodgy Panorama. Blame Samsung

Whilst there was warm applause, we really wanted to be outside, so after finishing a rather nice (and well-kept ale), we headed out, although this was, unfortunately, not until after I spotted bottles of the 1860 beer (1860 is the year that Hallam were formed).  Next time, Skinner.  Next time.  With less singing than I'm used to at United games, one could hear everything that the coach was saying to the players - indeed, for much of the first half, the biggest talking points were the female official on the far side, the orange boot of one Renan Silva Gorne and sightings of Uriah Rennie.  However, on 25 minutes, orange boots himself struck the opener, rounding the 'keeper and passing across goal from the right into an empty net.  As we'd said, he better be good with those bloody boots!

The Countrymen were not to be rolled over, however, and struck back with a sweet shot from Ben Kistell following a lovely cross from the right.  Yet, there was still time for this to become the Silva Gorne Show, with him having one cleared off the line and setting up City's second, when a poor clearance from Hallam's third 'keeper of the night landed at his feet for him to cooly lay off to Sinan Bytqi.

With the Plough just over the road, the evening was rounded off well with a couple of swift beers shared with Aaron and Gibbers.  The experience of visiting what was, for three years, technically my local club, was certainly a good one.  Sandygate is a ground I will certain return to for a league game this season.

English: Sheffield Hallam F.C. The ground is 148 years old and football has been played there since their formation all those years ago. The oldest ever footballing derby was played at Sandygate on Boxing Day 1860 and won by Sheffield F.C. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)