Hallam v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 20 September 2025 - 15:00 | League

Date: Saturday, 20 September 2025

Stadium: Sandygate Road

Time: 3:00pm KO

Ticket Prices: Adults £9, Concessions £6, U12s £2.

Blyth Spartans return to Northern Premier League East action as they travel to Sheffield, where they will face newly promoted Hallam FC.

Spartans have suffered back-to-back defeats; their most recent game was a tight contest against league leaders Bradford (Park Avenue). A valiant performance from the team saw them lose out in the final minutes by a single goal.

Blyth's last league away game was a late victory over Garforth Town, and Colin Myers will be hoping for a similar result this weekend against a Hallam side who sit just below them in the league table.

The Opposition: Hallam FC

Hallam FC were founded in 1860, making them the second oldest football club in the world, and play their matches at Sandygate Road, which is believed to be the oldest recognised football ground in the world.

The club spent most of its time in the NCEL Premier Division, which currently is the ninth level of the English Football League System. In 2004, they defeated Mickleover Sports in the final of the league cup competition.

The Countrymen have been on the rise since 2020. Following a managerial change, they started to pick up results, which saw them promoted from the NCEL Division One. Last season, they finished second in the league table, handing them a chance of promotion through the play-offs as they managed to defeat Beverley Town in the play-off final on penalties.

One to Watch

The player to watch for The Countrymen this weekend is Danny South, the captain of the side who was awarded Hallam's player of the month award in August after their unbeaten start to the league season and victories in the FA Cup's Preliminary Rounds.

The commanding centre half has been imperious for The Countrymen so far this season and will be a difficult opponent for the Spartans' attack.

Despite Hallam struggling for form in recent weeks, losing three games in a row, South has been impressive and consistent for The Countrymen and could be one of many interesting battles all across the pitch this weekend.

From the Dugout

Craig Denton is the man in charge of The Countrymen, appointed on May 6, 2020. He has been the driving force behind Hallam's recent surge through the divisions, leading them to the title and promotion from NCEL Division One in only his second season with the club. He added another achievement to his list, getting his side promoted last season through the play-offs to the Northern Premier League East.

Denton has previously been manager of Barton Town and Worksop Town, and has experience in winning titles with the latter, as he led them to the title in the Premier Division, achieving promotion to the Northern Premier League.

The Countrymen, being a newly promoted side this season, will have to manage expectations; however, Denton can be encouraged by what he has seen in the beginning of the season and will be looking to change their form in a crucial home clash against Blyth this weekend.

You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms and BlythLive on Mixlr from 2:45 pm.