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If a scrappy and disjointed game wasn't a fitting home send off for the Craig Denton era at @HallamFC1860 then it didn't really matter. It doesn't change what has been a very decent first season at this level or any of the memories of titles, promotions and cup finals which have mde the last few years so rewarding to watch. Change isn't that unusual at non-league level, but it rarely comes after what has been properly history making for a club with plenty of history, so all celebration of Denton and his team is due. Match-wise, Hallam built a fair number of good situations, especially first half, but very litleby way of actual chances. Dunston on the other hand brought the best out of Warhurst on three or four occasions and it took a penalty to finally beat him. Still, it didn't dent the fact that the team have showed they can hold their own at this level and it's on to wondering what next season might bring, apart from new turnstiles.

Not @HallamFC1860's day against Silsden today. With an absolutely bitter wind blowing up the slope, even the sun could only do so much to ward off the memories of snowy Aprils past. As for the game itself Hallam played pretty well. They never totally dominated but repeatedly got themselves into good positions without being able to convert. Silsden's first half breakthrough came when a hopeful wind-assisted ball up the right ended with Aguas trying to see it out over the goal-line, only to have it micked off him for a straightforward finish. Second half was more of the same, though probably fewer chances for Hallam. They did hit the bar with their own speculative cross-shot, but got caught on the break late on. Far from the worst performance and they'd certainly have been worth at least a point had things run better for them.

Change is in the air at @HallamFC1860, with a lot of those who have lifted the club to their current position looking to move on. The team is staying focused though. Danny South might already have gone but it didn't take long for Liam Howarth to bury the sort of header that South was played up front for. The first of a number of neat moves down the right led to a ball across that gave the unmarked number 9 time to pick his spot. Hallam went on to dominate the half, pressing well, winning a lot of the duels and the front three always giving options to the midfield. One bit of persistence from Aguas led to a brilliant save from the Ashington keeper as Howarth connected perfectly from the edge of the box.. The visitors weren't without their moments though and the one time that Brownell looked like he was playing in an unfamiliar position, leaving too much space behind his centre back berth, the ball ofund its way onto the post. Second half Hallam started similarly well and created a lot of good positions from set pieces, but as the half went on the blustery wind really started to take its toll and the game lost its shape. If Ashington never really came top terms with playing with the beginnings of Storm Dave at their backs, at 1-0 there was always a chance that they mignt sneak something. Late on they almost did, but the post was struck again and Hallam saw the game out for another 3 points.

Nice stuff from @HallamFC1860 this evening against a very youthful-looking Newton Aycliffe side. Having started on the front foot, it was good to see Hallam make it pay. A great run frm across the pitch from Clayton, who was a menace all night, ended with him slotting a lovely ball through to, of all people, Alfie Smith, who finished with what can only really be described as aplomb. But Newton Aycliffe were in no mood to roll over and gave almost as good as they got. As their own attacks started to tell one shot came back of the underside of the bar, only just failng to go in, and another was cleared off the line. This led to the now familar sight of Danny South temporarily dropping back into central defence to calm things down. Though given that the two opposition centre halves towered over even him, it didn't dent attacking options too much. It was still not entirely expected that Hallam managed to grab a second before half time. Again some great work by Clayton, in combination with Aguas, who put it on a plate for Bradbury to fire home. Bradbury could have had another immiediately after hal-time, but put it just past the post from a Warren centre. Hallam stayed in control, but it took Litchfield coming on to force the third Calyton showing strength and composure to get onto his through ball and slot home the goal his performance deserved. With 15 minutes left and Hallam changing personnel, they started to get a bit inattentive at the back allowing Newton Aycliffe to get one back. Hallam kept their heads though, and if they conceded a couple more chances, they almost made it 4 themselves when Clayton saw a shot thump back off the post. Some nice football and a good result which ought to properly take any stress out of the run in.

A draw was probably a fair result between@HallamFC1860 and Bridlington Town. Both sides had their moments and chances to win it, but neither really summoned the intensity to press things home. Hallam in particular started slowly, but after 15 minutes largely on the back foot, they were helped out by Bridlington giving Bradbury space and only half-hearted attention. He duly stuck the ball inside the post from 20 yards and Hallam spent the rest of the half on the front foot. If they didn't make bucketloads of chances, it took a good clearance off the line to keep the score to 1-0 at the break. Second half was to an extent a mirror of the first. Hallam sat back a bit and were punished when Brilington lashed a good finish in from distance having been given space and time out around the edge of the box. They then pushed on. Denton didn't waste any time pulling South bck into defence to shore things up, but it took 3 or 4 very good saves from Warhurst to keep things level. Hallam weren't completely overrun, and had a really good chance late on when a Blakeley header was pushed onto the bar. That incident led to Blakeley getting a very nasty cut to the head which took a while to sort. Bridlington pushed during the extended stoppage time, but Hallam kept them at bay. Some regrets then, but a point's a point.

A few extras from Hallam vs Ossett yesterday.

Well, that's one way to do it… @HallamFC1860 started well in their bid to get their home form back on track. Really well. A bright start was properly rewarded for once, with Clayton knocking one in inside the first 5 minutes. If that prompted Ossett United to step things up themselves, it took a decent long-range free kick to get them back into the match and things stayed level in all respects for the rest of the first half. Second half Hallam came out and had the most of the game, restoring their lead on the hour with Danny South firing home after some good work by Aguas. And after that the home side stayed on it, and it looked like the game might peter out comfortably.

The game did not peter out comfortably. Nevertheless it took until after the board had gone up for 3 minutes of stoppage time for the fire to be properly lit. First two of the Hallam subs combined well, with Howarth finding Russon in plenty of space in the box to make the points safe. The keeper did well and the points were not made safe. Ossett went up the other end and thei8r pressure forced an equaliser. It looked like they'd burgled a point. They had not burgled a point. I really can't remember how but suddenly the ball was down the other end, Howarth was free in the box and finished calmly. What ensued was not calm. It did mean Hallam got the win though. Lovely stuff.

It took @HallamFC1860 several goes to get this game against Garforth played. Shouldn't have bothered. If the last couple of home defeats felt scant reward for good displays against top of the table teams, this was probably about right. They had little answer to Garforth's attacks leaving space that led to an early goal and Warhurst having to make a couple of good saves to keep the score down. Then a penalty which, for Hallam's protests that there was a foul in the build-up, probably reflected the balance of play. Denton reacted by bringing Danny South back to shore up the defence and if there were some flickers from Hallam after that, the decision to make four changes at half-time was hardly a shock. And at first it paid off, the new personnel and a collective rocket up the arse meaning that Hallam started the second half with a lot more energy and sharpness. But chances came and went and they were always going to be vulnerable to a swift attack. Garforth duly got in en masse past the offside trap and scored a third. When Warhurst was left on his own a few minutes later, the resulting penalty killed the game. One to write off as a bad job and try to start fresh at the weekend. We could do with a home result.

Ah bollocks pt 2… Another high flier at Sandygate, another good performance by @HallamFC1860, another loss. Hallam started well, and if Matlock Town always looked decent and potentially dangerous, they also looked a bit rattled. They were indebted to their keeper for a couple of really good saves after Hallam's persistence kept paying off. And then they hit with a sucker punch scoring when Hallam didn't do enough to stop a break down the right. That settled them and though Hallam stayed well in it, the game was more even. Second half Hallam were hit with a further blow when Russon was a bit harshly dismissed for a slightly late challenge that looked worse because of the wey and skiddy conditions. It didn't faze them though and Hallam continued to do well with 10 men. In stoppage time they got a deserved equaliser when Matlock gave away an unnecessary but undeniable penalty, which Ward despatched emphatically. Except there was a load of faffing round the penalty and with the extra time, Matlock went upfield, won a corner and after a protracted goalmouth scramble, a winner was forced home. Rough on Hallam, karma owes them a result or two in the coming weeks.

Ah bollocks. @HallamFC1860 put in right shift against top of the table Redcar, but it wasn't quite enough. Indeed, if anything they had the better of the first half, with some bright play. If they found it hard to turn promising situations into dangerous ones, they nevertheless forced one good save out of the keeper and a better contact by Burns in front of goal would've seen them go in one up.

Second half Redcar were much more dominant but, against a valiant Hallam defence, even when they did get through they found Warhurst in fine form. That is until a couple of minutes before time. Hallam perhaps committed one or two too many upfield for a free-kick and allowed Redcar in behind to score a heartbreaking goal. Some determined play in stoppage time forced a couple of half-chances, but a deserved point eluded them. Still, proof positive that Hallam deserve to be where they are.

Well, if this is what 2026 has in store at @HallamFC1860 then we'll take it. The second half at least. First half nothing was quite coming off for the home side. Passes were overhit, control not quite there. You'd have put good money on Hallam having had a better New Year's Eve party than thier Lincoln United counterparts. Nevertheless Hallam will have felt they could have gone in level. Except a good break from Lincoln, making the most of getting a two-on-one against the covering Bradbury after a corner broke down, led to a chance that Oram will feel he could've done more to keep out. Second half it looked like a few strong coffees and a few stronger words might've been had in the dressing room. Hallam were much better downhill, dominating the game and making good situations if few actual chances. A bar grazed here, a blocked shot there. And when with less than five minutes left they got hit with a sucker punch it looked like that might be that. Except… Just before the 90 minutes a corner finally made it into the centre of the box and South's header somehow beat the Lincoln keeper, who could also have done better. After 3 head injuries and a medical emergency, not to mention all the subs and timewasting, it felt harsh on Hallam that there were only 4 minutes added in. But it was enough. A goalmouth scramble was hooked home, possibly by Glover and a deserved point went Hallam's way.

I'm not sure @HallamFC1860 expected to see North Ferriby back at Sandygate after some good tussles with them a few years back as they recovered from their reduced circumstances. But promotion earned the right, and it's good to see that we can still hold our own against them. There will even be a tinge of regret at not getting all three points. Hallam started brightly and grabbed a deserved lead when a long throw was headed on by South for Bradbury to meet with a lovely bicycle kick that the keeper couldn't keep out. If the Ferriby equaliser a while later came a bit against the run of play, it was equally well-taken and they proceeded to justify being level with some concerted pressure, keeping Warhurst alert. But Hallam stayed well in it and grabbed a half-time lead when a stoppage time corner was flicked on at the near post and in. Maybe by Bradbury, maybe by a defender, but as Brandon had done well to win the corner in the first place and had picked up an award for reaching 200 appearances before kick-off, he should get the credit. Warhurst had to go off at half-time, having been injured in an incident that the ref hadn't even seen fit to stop play for, and South had to replace him in goal. It's fair to say the goalkeeper kit was a bit more, erm, fitted than usual. And if the game also got tighter, it was credit to Hallam that it took well over half an hour for Ferriby to test the stand-in keeper in any meaningful way. He coped and Litchfield had a chance to seal the points with a good header really well saved. But Hallam couldn't quite hold on, Ferriby having their own long throw flicked on and bundled home at the far post. Another to add to the list of hard fought draws then, but with plenty of entertainment, it was a decent end to 2025 for Sandygate.

Friday night and the gates are low and it's raining… Actually, given that @HallamFC1860 chose such a bloody awful night to give Friday night football a whirl, the turnout wasn't bad. But raining it certainly was. A delayed train back from London meant I missed the first 20 minutes and turned up just in time to see Pontefract Collieries go ahead, prompting chants of "call it off". To be honest in between trying to stay dry and warm, even though whatever voodoo the groundsman had done kept the pitch pretty playable it was a bit hard to concentrate on the football. But it was clear in the second half that it was Hallam having more of the game and when Staniland and Litchfield both stole a march running in behind the defence after 75 minutes, the equaliser was fully deserved. So Friday night football a success? Impossible to tell given the weather, but a draw was probably fair.

…and this is what it's like when it doesn't come together for @HallamFC1860. They had more of the ball first half, but struggled to fashion any chances against a resolute Heaton Stannington , who didn't mange that much themselves. Another hard-fought draw looked on the cards. Except after a half-chance for Hallam, Heaton Stannington got themselves in front from a very well-executed corner, which suited their play perfectly. A second when Hallam were caught upfield searching for the equaliser came early enough to give Hallam a chance to come back. But for all that there were a few more Hallam chances knocking about, it was one of those days where they could've played another hour and not scored.

A few more from @HallamFC1860 v Bishop Auckland.

This is what it's like when it comes together for @HallamFC1860. Hard work and good play all over the pitch deservedly paying off. Hallam almost got in right in the first minute, Litchfield lifting only just over after a ball in behind caught out Bishop Auckland. And Hallam continued to press well without quite making things count. Not that Bishop Auckland didn't play their own part. A goal diallowed fro offside reminded Hallam that they always had to be wary of some neat play when their oppontents got the ball down. Still, Hallam had more of the first half and the only worry was whether failing to make the pressure count would hurt them. It didn't. Things remained pretty similar until after the hour, and Bishop Auckland even had a few more periods on top. But Hallam's nous and hard work started to tell. It nearly did when some great work from the tireless Russon and Litchfield down the left left Bradbury with a great chance which just went past the post. Not long after though Bradbury's replacement Staniland, linked equally well with the excellent Aguas which led to deserved man of the match Russon tapping home at the far post. The icing on the cake came 10 minutes or so later when Brownell hit an absolute beaut of a free-kick in just under the bar. If there was still work to do, not least a superb save by Warhurst on 90 minutes, the three points always looked safe. Lovely stuff.

If @HallamFC1860 couldn't repeat last season's Senior Cup win over Stocksbridge, it certainly wasn't the worst performance. (I'd missed the weekend defeat.) Hallam started slowly without coming under serious threat and then suddenly halfway through the half were ahead. Some good work down the left sneaked the ball to Tuton who did well to bring it down under pressure and thump it into the top of the net. The goal fired up Hallam to do more attacking, but they were caught out a few minutes later, not able to clear a free kick which was bundled home. That Stocksbridge more or less repeated the trick in stoppage time to go in ahead felt harsh.

Early in the second half Stocksbridge scored from the sort of ball over the top, calmly finished, that Hallam profited from themselves early in the season. If Hallam dominated possession after that, it was partly because Stocksbridge went into game management mode. A late Hallam penalty, emphatically converted by Ward, dented the Stocksbridge composure. But while it made the score rather fairer, Hallam couldn't fashion a proper chance at an equaliser and went out.

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