On Sunday 15th August 2010 we went to the Worlds Oldest Football Ground to watch Hallam begin their FA Cup campaign against Atherton Collieries.
It was a lovely sunny Sunday and so we decided to go to nearby Hallam FC to watch them face Atherton Collieries in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.
I had been to Hallam twice before, against Pickering Town in 2008 and Burscough in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round last year. However since it was such nice weather and an FA Cup Extra Preliminary game, which neither me nor my Dad had seen before, we decided to go.
On arrival we headed through the turnstile and bought a programme before going in to the club house. It is very nice with various things on the walls, from newspaper cuttings to shirts signed by the likes of Diego Maradona and Pele.
Hallam are in the North East Counties Premier, while Atherton Collieries are in North West Counties First Division, so in theory Hallam were the better side. However, it was Atherton who got off to a great start, hitting the crossbar within a couple of minutes of the kick off.
Against the run of play Hallam took the lead, shooting uphill, Miles Ridall scored on the 18th minute, much to the delight of many of the 195 in attendance.
7 minutes later Atherton got a much deserved equaliser when Paul Atherton scored to level things up. This is how it stayed until half time.
During half time I had a hot dog (for only 80p!) and met ex Premiership referee Uriah Rennie, who was in attendance for todays game.
Atherton Collieries continued to have most of the chances in the second half. Two goals in 5 minutes from Andy Walker and Phil Williams gave the away side a 3-1 lead and it looked all over.
Hallam made it an exciting finish when Ridall got his second on the 84th minute but it was too little too late for Hallam and there dreams of going to Wembley were over. Atherton Collieries now host Evo-Stik league side Prescot Cables in the Preliminary Round.
I enjoyed my day at Hallam FC, the weather certainly helped things and the game was entertaining. I have now been to Sandygate 3 times, but have only seen Hallam win once.
Outside the worlds oldest football ground
The plaque that says Sandygate is the worlds oldest football ground
Ticket prices
The entrance
Hallam FC sign
I hold up the programme inside the ground
with two Hallam comitee members
A cup made to celebrate Hallam's 150th anniversary
Prices of various things in the clubhouse
A poster for Hallam's 150 anniversary celebration match against Sheffield FC on 26th Decmber
future plans for the clubhouse
In the clubhouse
The burger bar
Lifetime members on the wall of the clubhouse
Uriah Rennie's brick
Our view from the stand
The Atherton players warm up
The teams line up and shake hands before kick off
The teams are just about to kick off
Atherton start the match
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The Hallam players celebrate taking a 1-0 lead
The dugout
Its 1-1 at half time
former Premiership referee Uriah Rennie
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The Stand
I stand behind the net
The path leading back to the stand
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Its 2-1 to Atherton
The Hallam players take the ball out of the net as it goes 3-1 to the away side
Hallam try to get back in the game
Its too little too late for Hallam as they lose 3-2
The Atherton players celebrate their victory
I stand on the Worlds Oldest Football Ground
The stand is now empty
Thank you for visiting the worlds oldest football ground
ryan147.com 
Hey Ryan. Good site. I know this post is from a while ago but I was wondering if you had copies of the photos from the match that you could e-mail to me. My brother played in this game for Atherton.