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The FA Cup got underway again this weekend with the Extra Preliminary Round. I travelled down to Sheffield where Hallam FC were hosting Runcorn Linnets at Sandygate, the oldest football ground in the world (and yes, there is a plaque, and a Guinness World record certificate to prove it).

I'd last seen Runcorn at Barnoldswick in February, when they were romping away with the NWCL title. Their promotion means they are now two steps up from Hallam, who are in the NCEL First Division.

Sandygate is a characterful ground with a significant slope and a playing area shared with the cricket club, such that a painted boundary line arcs across the football pitch. There was a sizeable crowd of 300+ including significant away support.

It proved to be a well contested cup tie. Runcorn took the lead after half an hour, but Hallam were well in it, in part due to some fine goalkeeping,  until the Linnets scored a second through a penalty late on.