Hallam FC v Handsworth FC

 

A Sheffield derby in the NCEL Premier Division on Saturday and with neither United or Wednesday in action it meant a bumper crowd of 730 enjoyed the game between Hallam FC and Handsworth as well as unusually mild temperatures for the final day of November.

And when the weather is like that then Sandygate is a cracking place to watch football with a beer or pie in hand, especially when the two teams produce a game of six goals, four of which went to the visitors for a win they deserved overall for an excellent first 20 minutes and some resolute defending as Hallam pushed to make it 3-3 at the beginning of the second-half.

Hallam continue to work hard to improve facilities at the ground, with an extension to the Shed End next on the agenda, as well as offering good value for money at £6 for adults.

Their next home league fixture is on the 21st December against Penistone Church while Handsworth entertain Beverley Town on Saturday 14th.

December Dates

Keep an eye out in December for FA Youth Cup fixtures, hopefully many of which will be played at the main stadium of the clubs drawn at home, with Premier League and Championship teams joining the competition at this third round stage.

Spotted so far...Norwich City versus Brentford at Carrow Road on Monday 9th (£2 adults, free for under-18's) and Preston North End versus Liverpool at Deepdale on Friday 6th (free for season ticket holders from either club, £5/£1 otherwise.)

Similarly in the Premier League International Cup for under-21 teams, there are scheduled fixtures at Molineux (Wolves v Ajax on Wed 4th, tickets £4, £2 and free for under-17's), Carrow Road (Norwich v PSV Eindhoven on Thu 5th, tickets £2 and free for under-18's) and the Riverside.

Wembley will seem a little closer to those clubs who make it through the FA Vase Third Round, with ties to be played on 7/8th December and the same will be true of Hampden Park after the Women's Scottish Cup fixtures that same weekend.

Bolton Wanderers Women host a Festive Family Fun Day on Sunday 1st with free admission to the game against Preston North End (kick-off 2pm at the home of Atherton Collieries) and plenty of activities taking place, while there is pay what you want admission to Wombwell Town against Selby Town in the Northern Counties East League on Tuesday 3rd after the abandonment of the original fixture.

A Doncaster Date

With England's senior women set for a Bramall Lane fixture against Switzerland on Tuesday 3rd December, it is good to see another South Yorkshire date scheduled for the night before as the under-23's take on Sweden at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, especially given the significant role that the town has played in the development of the women's game.

Tickets for a 7pm kick-off are available now, priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for under-14's.

Derby Day

The big game here in Sheffield is fast approaching and Saturday will probably go slowly for supporters of United and Wednesday before the two teams meet at Bramall Lane on Sunday morning.

There are a couple of big derbies in the women's game next weekend; I mentioned Everton versus Liverpool at Goodison Park a couple of weeks ago while in Scotland it is Hearts against Hibs at Tynecastle on Sunday 17th at 4:10pm.

Free tickets are available at the Hearts website.

Football For A Fiver*

*A bit less actually, around £4.35!

I was lucky enough to be in Athens last week and managed to catch a game at A.S.Sourmenon, who play in the top tier of regional football in the capital.

Five Euros for entry and then a beer in the late October sunshine made for a good afternoon with the home side earning a 1-0 victory courtesy of a second-half penalty award that didn't go down too well with the visiting supporters.

Situated just a short walk from Elliniko station, at the end of the red line, on the city's, excellent, Metro system, the ground has the added attraction of a plane at either end, a reminder of the area formerly being the site of Athens' airport.

Back on home soil and a couple of things to look out for this coming weekend; admission is just £5 at Basford United on Saturday (9th Nov) for the home game with Whitby Town while there is free admission for season ticket holders of local professional clubs at Uttoxeter Town as they host Shifnal in the Midlands Premier Division on the same day.