Match preview by Cayden Sands

Overview:

Thackley’s first ever NCEL Premier Division play-off campaign begins on Saturday when they travel to Sandygate to take on Hallam FC.

This fixture couldn’t have come around in more dramatic circumstances after last week’s final Saturday of the regular season, when a 3-0 victory over Barton Town and positive results elsewhere in the league secured a play-off spot for the Dennyboys.

The current record between Thackley and Hallam this season stands at one win apiece, with this game undoubtedly being one of the biggest in the recent histories of both clubs.

There will be a great amount of belief in the squad, something that Danny Forrest will hope comes into full effect as the Dennyboys head to South Yorkshire as the underdogs, but as this season has shown, any team can beat one another, with this play-off game sure to be a classic.

The Opposition:

Hallam arrive in the play-offs after a stunning second half of the season saw them finish second in the league to claim the top spot in the post season spectacle.

The Countrymen have been one of the form sides in the league since Christmas, whilst they have also had a number of high attendances in this time, with some going over the 1000 mark.

Since their previous meeting with Thackley, Hallam have picked up some notable results, including a 6-1 triumph away at Barton Town and a 7-0 victory over fellow play-off qualifiers Beverley Town.

Perhaps most notable however, was a 5-1 victory over champions Silsden AFC, a game that saw 1,056 spectators packed into Sandygate.

Alongside this, the club has also secured a spot in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup Final after a run that included victories over higher league opponents such as Sheffield FC and Stocksbridge Park Steels.

The club’s top scorer in all competitions is Rio Allan, who has scored 35 goals in all competitions, with 31 of these coming in league matches.

Previous Meetings:

The previous meeting between Thackley and Hallam came on January 25th at Sandygate.

This game saw the hosts pick up a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Allan and Leon Howarth, with the former picking up a brace in the first half.

Antony Brown managed to score a penalty for the Dennyboys at 2-0 down to halve the deficit, but this proved meaningless, with Hallam performing well from that point on to secure the victory.

The reverse fixture at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield in September saw the Dennyboys triumph, with a 90th minute winner from Antony Brown which added to a Finn Donovan first half strike to secure a 2-1 victory.

The third chapter between the two sides has a Play Off Final on 19 April 2025 against the winner of Golcar United v Beverley Town as the prize.

Ground Description:

Hallam’s Sandygate ground has many humble features that make it well worthy of being one of the most historic grounds in football, including the famous slope!

The ground’s capacity sits at 1,332, with covered space for 400 spectators and a seated stand that is able to fit 250 fans.

There are also catering facilities and a clubhouse that offer a range of refreshments, food and snacks.

Ground Directions:

A57 Sheffield to Glossop Rd, left at Crosspool shopping area signed Lodge Moor on to Sandygate Rd. Ground half mile on left.

(Ground Directions Credit: NCEL Website)

Admission Prices (please not that this match is ALL TICKET):

Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
U12s: £1 (with paying adult)
Dogs allowed on a lead

(Admission Prices Credit: NCEL Website)

Coach Travel

Supporters who have secured a place on the Official Supporter's Coach have been emailed details. A reminder that Coaches will be departing Dennyfield at 11.15am.