 The first recorded matches at the ground took place in 1880, two years after the club's formation, most of them friendlies.The first competitive match held at North Road was a Lancashire Cup first round match against Blackburn Olympic's reserve team, played on 27 October 1883, which Newton Heath lost 7–2.Details of the attendance have been lost, but it is assumed that the ground must have been enclosed by then, as an entry fee of 3d (about £ as of 2020) was charged for the match.