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It was the hottest ticket in town at Sandygate on Tuesday evening, as nearly 1,500 supporters packed all four sides at the World’s Oldest Football Ground, to witness the oldest rivalry in Association Football. 

At the end of a torrid 90 minutes, it was the hosts who left happiest as they progressed to the semi-finals of the SHCFA Senior Cup, with Hallam FC beating Sheffield FC 2-1.

Both sides had been forced into making wholesale changes to the squads due to player eligibility, and playing up the slope in the first half, it was the Countrymen who opened the scoring on just 3 minutes. James Cadman took advantage of some hesitant defending, getting on the end of a through ball, before tucking the ball under Niall Edge.

Sheffield FC responded almost immediately, and on 10 minutes had levelled the scores, Cameron Bedford teeing up Connor Cutts to drive a low effort from 25 yards beyond Hugo Warhurst. 

The rest of the first half was end to end, with Luke Mangham going close with a diving header, whilst Brandon Bradbury ran from his own half before forcing a fine save from Edge. Club finished the half on top, Mangham had an effort cleared off the line, and moments later Raeece Ellington forced a save from Warhurst.

It was almost a carbon copy of the start of the first half after the restart, as the hosts grabbed a goal three minutes after the whistle, Leon Howarth picking up the ball on the left before being allowed to cut in and curl a fine effort past Edge.

Playing up the slope, the visitors were a shadow of their first half selves, and it was the hosts who went closest to adding to the scoreline. Brodie Litchfield forced a good save from Edge, with Jamie Sharman sending one just over the top, Sheffield on the other hand couldn’t produce anything to truly test Warhurst. 

In the end Hallam were able to see out the game, booking their place in the semi-finals against either Stocksbridge Park Steels or Wombwell Town, meanwhile Club have to lick their wounds and get back to the pressing concern of NPL survival.

Hallam FC: 1 Hugo Warhurst, 2 Jack Brownell, 3 Danny Buttle (Gregg Smith 81'), 4 Jamie Sharman, 5 Danny South (C), 6 Brandon Bradbury, 7 Janni Lipka (Adam Blakeley 77'), 8 James Cadman, 9 Leon Howarth (Calum Ward 70'), 10 Rio Allan (Daniel Pudil 70'), 11 Brodie Litchfield (Jack Moore-Billam 90').

Subs: 15 Calum Ward, 16 Adam Blakeley, 17 Gregg Smith, 18 Daniel Pudil, 19 Jack Moore-Billam.

Sheffield FC: 1 Niall Edge, 2 Jack Hardacre, 3 Joe West (C), 4 AJ Greaves (Stephen Brogan 67'), 5 Simon Jakab, 6 Bradley Beatson, 7 Connor Cutts (Luke Aldrich 76'), 8 Raeece Ellington, 9 Luke Mangham, 10 Cameron Bedford (Harry Mitchell 77'), 11 Nathan Modest (Josh Ayres 61').

Subs: 12 Josh Ayres, 14 Luke Aldrich, 18 Stephen Brogan, 19 Carter Tingle, 20 Harry Mitchell.

Attendance: 1,496

Referee: Lee Hible