Friday
18 May 2007 - League
Cup Final -
Superman Reeves seals it for Travellers
After Dan Touhey's opener (see pictures left and below) had been cancelled out by Tommy Fowler, super sub Jayson Reeves grabbed two extra time goals to see Ecclesfield Travellers beat Pitsmoor Hotel 3-1 at Bramall Lane.
In a thrilling finale to the season the Blades Super Draw League Cup Final needed extra time before two strikes from super sub Jayson Reeves enabled Ecclesfield Travellers to finally overcame a gallant Pitsmoor Hotel 3-1.
Pitsmoor started the better of the two and Gavin davies twice put chances wide. Travellers keeper Andy Woodward was then forced to save from Scott Spzajer and he also did well to keep out a Tommy Fowler header. Travellers began to get into the game more towards the end of the half and they took control early in the second half when man of the match Danny Touhey produced a terrific leap to head them in front.
It was now Travellers turn to dominate proceedings and Pitsmoor keeper Lee Chesters needed to be at his best to keep his side in the game, but Pitsmoor kept plugging away and they equalised when Paul Hinde played a ball down the line for Leon Stocks to cross for full back Tommy Fowler to just beat the keeper to the awkward bounce. In the final minute of normal time, referee Phil Booker had a big decision to make when Gavin Davies went down in the area, but Pitsmoor's penalty claims were waved away and the game went to extra time.
With both teams tiring goals looked certain and it didn't take Travellers too long to nose their way back in front. Sub Jayson Reeves was posing all kinds of problems for the Pitsmoor defence and when a chance came his way, although his first effort came back off the bar, he kept his composure to plant the ball into the empty net.
Pitsmoor rallied strongly and Travellers keeper Andy Woodward tipped one effort round the post before gathering another under real pressure, but as Pitsmoor pushed more and more men forward, they always looked likely to be caught on the break and in the final minute Reeves raced through to chip the onrushing keepeer to clinch it for Travellers
Season's Honours
After a fantastic season of just one draw and one defeat, the new League champions are Woodhouse West End. It has been a real team effort for them and as well as being the League's top scorers, they also conceded fewer goals than any other club.
One of the League's oldest clubs, Redmires, have been the surprise package of the season and they clinched the CBC Premier Runners-up with a run of just two defeats in nineteen games.
The League's oldest club, Telecom Sports, have completed a return to the CBC Premier after an absence of over twelve seasons and the young Division One champions look good enough to make an impact in the top flight. The same can also be said of the Division One Runners-up Ecclesfield Travellers, who will be looking to add the League Cup to The Steve Gee Merit Cup and promotion when they face Pitsmoor Hotel in the Bramall Lane final in May. Travellers pipped Oxspring Lowood on goal difference only, but Oxspring are also promoted in third place.
Division Two has seen the closest possible battle for title and promotion, with the top places changing hands on almost a weekly basis. Handsworth Old Boys finally came out on top, while just two points behind them were Runners-up Millhouses Abacrombie and third place Park & Arbour LFS. To show just how tight it was, fourth place Cutlers Arms are also on the same points as the two sides above them and they now have to wait to see if more than three teams will be promoted.
Ecclesfield Travellers completed a treble by adding the League Cup to their Division One Runners-up spot and the Steve Gee Merit Cup they won at the start of the season.
The Leagues Leading Scorer is Danny Adkins and it was his goals that were the main reason why Park & Arbour LFS gained promotion from Division Two, while the CBC Premier's top marksman, Danny Milner, played a major part in keeping Laycock Sports in the top flight. Division One's top marksman was John Mellor and his goals almost gained Royal Oak Pitsmoor a promotion place.
BLADES SUPER DRAW SUNDAY SPORTS
LEAGUE
HONOURS FOR SEASON 2006/07
CBC PREMIER
Champions: Woodhouse West End
Runners-up: Redmires
Leading Goalscorer: Danny Milner (Laycock Sports)
DIVISION ONE
Champions: Telecom Sports
Runners-up: Ecclesfield Travellers
Third place: Oxspring Lowood
Leading Goalscorer: John Mellor (Royal Oak Pitsmoor)
DIVISION TWO
Champions: Handsworth Old Boys
Runners-up: Millhouses Abacrombie
Third place: Park & Arbour LFS
Leading Goalscorer: Danny Adkins (Park & Arbour LFS)
OVERALL LEADING GOALSCORER
sponsored by twentytwo
Danny Adkins (Park & Arbour
LFS)
See the picture to
the right of Danny Adkins receiving his Golden Boots Award from twentytwo
director Chris Whalley
STEVE GEE MERIT CUP
Winners: Ecclesfield Travellers
Runners-up: Fairbank-Rhodes
LEAGUE CUP
Winners: Ecclesfield Travellers
Runners-up: Pitsmoor Hotel
Sunday 29 April 2007
CBC Premier - West End show brings curtain down on the season
New League champions Woodhouse West End produced a terrifc show to beat Lord Nelson 9-1 to bring the curtain down on this season. In the final game of the season and with nothing to be won or lost for either side they both played with a smile on their faces and although it was not the finale Lord Nelson would have wanted in their final game, they played a full part in a game enjoyed by everyone.
Dave Kippax and Ashley Atkins both helped themselves to trebles, with West End's others came from Anthony Dolan, Carl Colt and an own goal, while Nelson's consolation came from Darren Mountain.
Tuesday 17 April, Thursday 19 April & Sunday 22 April 2007
CBC Premier - Redmires hit George for six to land runner-up spot
Redmires won the race for the CBC Premier's runner-up spot as Andy Birks and Danny Lindley both hit doubles as their best performance of the season saw them blast aside their only challengers Woodhouse George 6-2.
A few days earlier Redmires must have thought they had blown it when they slipped to a surprise defeat at home to Laycock Sports. The game had a sensational start as the first minute saw Laycock's have a goal disallowed before Redmires raced down to the other end to open the scoring through Andy
Birks.
Their lead didn't last too long though as defensive errors saw Laycock's man of the match Kirk Hardman equalise before Gary McWilliams ended his goal drought to put Laycock's ahead. Even though Redmires changed their formation at half time it didn't stop a further defensive lapse and after Danny Milner had robbed the ball from a defender he went on to score Laycock's third.
Redmires fought hard to get back into the game and Danny Lindley rifled home a free kick to put them within touching distance, but when Luke Siggs missed their best chance late on they knew it wasn't going to be their day.
That meant that Redmires went into their final game of the season against Woodhouse George knowing that if that George beat them, George would then be favourites for the runner-up spot, but Redmires needn't have worried though as they saved their best for last.
Mick Hickson's only goal of the season gave Redmires an early lead and although Spencer Starkes soon levelled for George, Danny Lindley's trusty left foot put Redmires back in front. The game then appeared to take a big swing in George's favour when
Redmires Chris Cotterill was red carded for handling the ball on the line and Michael Blythen levelled from the spot.
However, it was Redmires that went back in front through Andy Birks and when George also had a player red carded for conceding a penalty, Birks slammed home his second from the spot. That seemed to knock the stuffing out of George and Wayne Beggs laid on the perfect pass for Lindley to score his second before Beggs tapped in their sixth after Lindley's shot had been spilled by the keeper.
New champions Woodhouse West End celebrated in style with a 5-1 home win over Pen Nook, but the scoreline didn't really reflect how hard Nook had pushed the champions.
Dave Kippax opened the scoring for West End, but Nook levelled through Mark Woodcock. It was Nook's best part of the game and the first half saw them hit the woodwork no fewer than five times, but the still went into the interval behind after Lee Glaves had put West End back in front.
Nook still continued to have their fair share of the ball after the break, but West End showed them how to make the most of their chances. Damien Blakemore added their third and Rob Daley was forced into conceding an own goal before Kippax finished the scoring with his second of the game.
Laycock Sports made it two wins in four days as Danny Milner confirmed his place as the CBC Premier's leading scorer with two goals in a 5-2 victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels. Laycock's veteran Andy Register gave them the lead and after their man of the match Scott Wesney doubled it, Milner netted his first. Chris Hague made it four before the interval and a minute into the second half, Milner netted his
twentieth goal of the season. Laycock's took their foot off the pedal after that and Steels pulled two back through Jamie Newton and Chris Kelly.
Division One - Travellers nick the runners-up spot
Ecclesfield Travellers went into their final game was against a Mosborough Royal Oak knowing that victory would land them the Division One runner-up spot. Travellers were safe in the knowledge that they were already promoted, but their hosts were keen to gain revenge for their recent League Cup semi final defeat by Travellers and Oak had the better of the first half and hit the woodwork during one spell of sustained pressure.
The vital strike came just before the interval when Andy Rawlinson set Scott Johnson up for a chance he tucked away with ease. That seemed to take the steam out of Oak and it was Travellers that had much more of the game after the break and Rawlinson should have doubled their lead when he missed an open goal. Other chances also went begging, but in the end the one was enough to give them the runners-up spot.
Oxspring will have to console themselves with the fact that their great season has seen the promoted to the top flight for the first time and although Mosborough Royal Oak's season has ended in disappointment, they can be proud of their runs in both the League and County FA Cup and their young side looks set to be one of the favourites for promotion next season.
The new Division One champions Telecom Sports ended their season by hitting Loxley for six. A Paul Marrison volley and Adam Podmore's spectacular overhead kick put Telecom two up after just ten minutes and Simon Smith added two more before the break. Smith then completed his hat-trick shortly after the break and although Loxley put up a much better performance in the second half , Telecom had the final word when Marrison tapped home his second.
Division One's relegated clubs Half Moon and Oughtibridge Village met for their final game of the season and it was Moon that produced their best performance of the season to run out 7-2 winners. Matt Corn, Nathan Kingswood and a Mark Ramsden double had Moon
well in control before Matt Siddall netted the first of his two goals for Village. Moon continued to dominate and Alan Gears, Lee Walker and Scott Kirk netted their others.
Division Two - Old Boys snatch the title
After a thrilling season that saw the Division Two top spot change hands on almost a weekly basis, the Old Boys went into their final game of the season knowing that anything less than victory would see them not only miss out on the title, but also see them miss out on an automatic promotion place.
Understandably, the game turned out to be a very nervy affair for them and although the Old Boys had struck the woodwork, it looked as if they would miss out, but with less than ten minutes remaining it was their veteran striker Trevor Jones that came to their rescue and his fourteenth goal of the season gave them the title.
Millhouses Abacrombie drop to second and Park & Arbour LFS to third, while Cutlers Arms are now the one to miss out on the automatic promotion place and they will now have to wait and see if more than three clubs will be promoted.
Hollin Bush had better luck in their final game of the season when they beat Civil Service 3-0. The servants had the better of the first half, but Bush took control after the break and after a Steve Stenton double put them two up, Lee Rodgers smashed home a free kick to give them the three points that saw them climb over their visitors.
Tuesday 10 April, Thursday 12 April and Sunday 15 April 2007
CBC Premier - Woodhouse West End take the title, but The Park down after being Dunn by Ryan and Newton saves Handsworth to send Pen Nook down
After second place Redmires were held to a midweek draw by Hemsworth Villa, Woodhouse West End were crowned CBC Premier champions and West End celebrated by ending redmires sixteen match unbeaten run three days later.
Villa went into the game with Redmires after five consecutive defeats, while Redmires were unbeaten in fifteen, but it was Villa that took a deserved lead in the first half when Paul Jenkinson fired into the roof of the net from a corner. Redmires had more play in the second half and it was another corner that led to their equaliser, bundled in by Andy
Birks. They couldn't get another so the title went to West End for the first time.
Redmires had the chance to clinch second place when they met West End three days later, but one of the best games of the season saw the new champions celebrating again when late goals by Dave Kippax and Ashley Atkins gave them victory. There were just ten minutes left when Kippax volleyed the first and Atkins hit the second after the Redmires keeper could only palm out David Halley's cross.
Second place could still go to Redmires though as Woodhouse George let two valuable points slip at home to Stannington Village. Simon Bradbury gave Stannington the lead when he flicked home Josh Wright's cross, but George hit back to level through Kirk Briddon and then take the lead through Ryan
Mcguiness.
It was Stannington's turn to hit back when Sean Flynn's solo run ended with him squaring the ball for Lee Staniland to score. It still looked like George would collect the three points when Shaun Waller headed them back in front near the end, but they couldn't hold on and Bradbury levelled again when he pushed home the rebound after seeing his first shot come back off a post.
At the other end of the table, both The Park and Pen Nook knew they had to win to keep their survival hopes alive, but neither could manage it and both end the season in the bottom three.
The Park travelled to a Laycock Sports who were also in the dogfight and it was Laycock's that came out of it with a comfortable victory. There wasn't much in it until the thirty fifth minute when Ryan Dunn hit a superb free kick to put Laycock's ahead and they took a real grip of the game before the break when Chris Gill added a second.
The Park tried to hit back, but Laycock's keeper Grant Parkin kept them at bay with some vital saves. When Danny Milner tapped home Laycock's third and hit a bullet header from Gill's cross for their fourth, Laycock's knew they were safe, but it was all over for The Park.
Pen Nook's home form has been their achilles heel all season and despite Daniel McLean giving them the lead on the stroke of half time, their home hoodoo came back to haunt them as Handsworth WMC levelled with an Adam Newton penalty after David Cawrey had been brought down. Both sides hit the woodwork after that and an injury saw Handsworth finish with ten men as they had used all their subs, but they held on to guarantee their survival.
Division One - Telecom take the title, while Oxspring and Travellers are also promoted
The Division One title was also decided in midweek with Telecom Sports taking the title after a last gasp Adam Bellamy strike gave them victory over Mosborough Royal Oak. The Division One leaders took just fifteen minutes to take the lead when Paul Marrison's cross left Simon Smith with a simple tap-in, but they couldn't add to it and ten minutes into the second half Will Blakeney headed Oak level.
Oak were now on top and even when Jon Riley saw red for two bookings they continued to look the more likely winners, but like all good teams, Telecom held firm and with virtually the last kick of the game Adam Bellamy hit a terrific right foot shot from the edge of the area into the top corner to give his side the title.
Oak were in action two days later and Darren Firth goals in each half meant another defeat by Fletchers meaning Oak's promotion bid is all but over. Firth hit a scorcher from twenty five yards in the first half and headed the second after Scott Lees solo run and cross. That defeat for Oak also meant that Oxspring Lowood were promoted.
Ecclesfield Travellers also made their promotion place all but secure with a 4-1 victory over Loxley. A mistake by the keeper allowed Danny Touhey to squeeze the opener from a tight angle and after the interval Glen Bell doubled their lead from the edge of the area. Simon Mirfin headed one back for Loxley, but Bell quickly restored Travellers two goal lead when he scored at the second attempt and Jayson Reeves completed the scoring to make the points safe.
Travellers made sure three days later when another Jayson Reeves strike earned them a 1-1 draw with the new champions Telecom Sports. Telecom grabbed an early lead when Adam Podmore refused to give up on a chance and he lobbed the keeper to score off a post, but Travellers levelled soon after when Reeves headed home. Travellers had the better of the second half and had a Chris Brown effort disallowed, but the point still gives them a realistic chance of taking the runners-up spot away from Oxspring Lowood.
Oxspring did everything they could to make it as hard as possible for Travellers by hammering Half Moon 8-0. A Jack Jones double and one from Richard Hurst had them three up at half time and as Moon ran out of steam in the second half Oxspring added five more through a Phil Cookson double and one each from Robert Shaw, Craig Hanson and Thomas
Jowitt. It was as much as Oxspring could do, but if Travellers beat Mosborough Royal Oak in their final game of the season they will take the runners-up spot on goal difference.
After losing the League Cup semi final the week before, Mosborough Royal Oak had hoped to make up for it by grabbing promotion, but that dream ended with their two midweek defeats and they slumped to a third when League Cup finalists Pitsmoor Hotel pipped them in a five goal thriller.
Pitsmoor started strongly and deservedly went two up with two Scott Szpajer strikes, but Oak got back into the game when Joe France scored with a quickly taken free kick. After the break Pitsmoor re-established their two goal lead when Luke Parwana netted and although Oak again pulled one back through Steve Wilkinson and saw Craig Woolley and Richard Mills efforts hit the bar, Pitsmoor held on.
Division Two - Abacrombie and Park are promoted, but Cutlers and Old Boys left sweating
The Division Two title and promotion places seems to change hands on a daily basis and just one point separates the top four clubs. Park & Arbour LFS were the first to climb back to the top with victory at Hollin Bush but three days later they were overtaken by Millhouses Abacrombie.
Park & Arbour LFS got off to a great start when Jason Hopwood finished off a real team effort from close range and after John Bottomley had flicked the ball on, Danny Adkins beat the offside trap to net his thirty-second league goal of the season. Before the first half was over, Adkins returned the favour to Bottomley for him to hit Park's third at the near post and leave them at the top and certain of a promotion place.
Three days later Millhouses Abacrombie's 2-0 victory over Fairbank-Rhodes saw them leapfrog Park on goal difference to go to the top for the first time. They went into the game without injured keeper Mark Davies, but they needn't have worried as his stand-in Lewis Elliott kept only their second home clean sheet of the season. Paul Armitage broke the deadlock when he flicked home Ally Berry's long throw and when Armitage raced onto Tom Gardiner's through ball to hit his eighteenth goal in just nine games, Abacrombie's win and promotion place was confirmed.
Level on points with the top two in third place is Cutlers Arms after they just pipped Colley Club in a seven goal thriller. Chris Edwards headed Cutlers in front and although Colley levelled through Dean Constable, James Haslam and Chris Nelson strikes had Cutlers well in control at the break. They seemed to have killed the game off when James Barrett put them 4-1 in front, but after a Steve Whitworth penalty and a Tom Barber strike they finished the game hanging on nervously.
Handsworth Old Boys had started the week at the top of the table, but they are now back in fourth a point behind the top three, but they will take the title if they win their final game at Hollin Bush and push Cutlers out of the automatic promotion places, although they needn't worry too much as it looks virtually certain that more than three teams will be promoted.
Also Hollin Bush are showing they might not be the pushover they were at the start of the season. Although their visitors Sportsman Stannington had more of the game, the Bush defence's first clean sheet of the season was rewarded with a Danny Myers winner, but just as important was Michael Simpson's contribution after he had to play in goal when both Bush keepers reported for duty injured.
Tuesday 3, Thursday 5 and Sunday 8 April 2007
League Cup - Travellers & Pitsmoor are Bramall Lane bound
Two new names will be visiting Bramall Lane for the first time after Ecclesfield Travellers came from behind to pip Mosborough Royal Oak with a Jayson Reeves strike and an extra time Leon Stocks penalty gave Pitsmoor Hotel victory over Loxley in the League Cup semi finals.
Travellers should have taken the lead in the first minute when Scott Johnson blazed over the
bar and after Glen Bell wasted another good opportunity, they found themselves behind when Craig Woolley met Will Blakeney's free kick at the back post to score for Oak.
It stayed like that until half time, but some changes by Travellers did the trick and leading scorer Craig Senior headed the equaliser. Sub Paul Bashforth was beginning to control midfield and when he found Danny Touhey, he helped the ball on for another sub
Jayson Reeves (pictured above) to score with a low shot past the keeper. Oak tried to respond, but they couldn't
quite break through again and Travellers held on.
The other semi final had a more dramatic start as Leon Stocks headed Pitsmoor Hotel into an early lead, but soon after the game looked as if it might swing Loxley's way. The Pitsmoor keeper had to come off after sustaining a gash to his knee and before half time Simon Mirfin levelled for Loxley.
Stand-in keeper Paul Hinde (pictured punching clear under pressure)
did well and Pitsmoor showed their resolve though to go back in front when leading scorer
Gavin Davis (pictured left scoring) outpaced the Loxley defence, but they then shot themselves in the foot when Glynn Walker hit the ball past his own keeper.
That took the game into extra time that neither side could dominate until Davis picked the ball up midway in the Loxley half and his driving run was only stopped when he was upended in the area. Referee Nick Mason had no hesitation in giving the spot kick and Stock's stepped up to hit the ball firmly to the keepers right and send his team through to the final.
CBC Premier - West End a point away from the title, while Stocksbridge are safe
Two wins in four days means that Woodhouse West End are now just a point off a first CBC Premier title. They first went to relegation threatened Handsworth WMC and although they were kept at bay for the first seventy minutes, when Ashley Atkins was felled in the area, Lee Glaves stepped up to give West End the lead. Dale Fuller soon headed a second and Damien Blakemore made the points safe with a chip at the back post.
Three days later West End travelled to Stannington Village and although James Walters gave them an early lead, a slick finish by Steve Taylor saw the teams level at the interval. Any thoughts they might drop points though were banished when Dave Kippax followed up to score after a Lee Glaves shot was blocked and Glaves secured the points with a third near the end.
Redmires look set to take the CBC Premier runners-up spot after two wins in three days. A 4-0 victory over Niagara opened was quickly followed by a 2-0 victory at Hemsworth Villa and just two wins from their last four games will make the runners-up spot certain.
At home to Niagara, Luke Siggs scrambled the ball home mid way through the first half to give Redmires the lead and soon after the interval he doubled it. Ian Gambling then produced a terrific cross to give Danny Lindley the task of heading home for number three and the victory was completed when Siggs crossed for Tom Bonser to net his first goal for Redmires.
Two days later they went to Hemsworth Villa and first half strikes by Wayne Beggs and Luke Siggs put them in charge and although they were under severe pressure for virtually all the second half, saves by keeper Karl Taylor and a penalty miss by Keith Cronin meant the two goals were enough for another three points.
Woodhouse George climbed back to third when they came from behind to win 3-1 at Hemsworth Villa. Steve Bridges crossed for Jimmy Hughes to smash Villa in front, but Chris Towey soon had George level. Ten minutes into the second half Michael Blythen put George ahead and although Villa laid siege to the George goal for an equaliser, the vistors defence held firm and Ryan McGuiness rubbed salt in Villa's wounds with George's third in the final minute.
Villa's fifth consecutive defeat came a few days later when a Damien Newton treble ensured Stocksbridge Park Steels place in the top flight was safe for another season. In a goalless first half, Villa had plenty of the ball and almost scored when Ian Holmes hit the Steels bar. Villa still continued to press after the break, but Steels hit and run tactics paid off as Newton netted his first hat-trick for the club to end their relegation fears.
The same can't be said of both Laycock Sports and The Park who are both left sweating after home defeats. Laycocks entertained Niagara and soon found themselves two down after Ben Dronfield and Chris Smith had both found the net. Lloyd McPherson started the comeback for Laycocks and when Danny Milner brought them level, it looked as if they would go on to win it, but Craig Foster took advantage of a fumble by the keeper to win it for Niagara.
The Park looked good for a much needed three points when Lee Bridges and Andy Chafer gave them a two goal half time lead at home to Woodhouse George, but after the break Kirk Briddon and Michael Blythen strikes quickly had George level. Bridges struck again to edge The Park back in front, but they couldn't hold on and Blythen netted his second to level again before Chris Towey netted George's winner.
Division One - Telecom are promoted and Oxspring stay second
Telecom Sports are the first club to gain promotion from Division One after two narrow home wins in four days. Fletchers were their first visitors and they took an early lead through Chris Greenwood and even though Luke Mitchell-Stanley levelled from the penalty spot, Telecom went behind again when John Dixon netted Fletchers second. Richard Hanson's header meant Telecom weren't behind for long and further pressure saw Danny Mace put them ahead for the first time. Mace scrambled home a second to give Telecom some breathing space and they needed it as Greenwood hit his second in a late onslaught by the visitors.
Three days later, Telecom were expected to confirm their promotion with a big win over Oughtibridge Village, but their visitors produced one of their best displays of a misaerable season to continually frustrate the leaders. They couldn't quite keep Telecom out altogether though and Luke Mitchell-Stanley headed Danny Mace's free kick home to put them back in the top flight after an absence of more than twelve years.
Oxspring Lowood are hoping to join them and they did their chances no harm when they came from behind to win 2-1 at Woodseats Abbey. Chris Garlick's free kick nudged Abbey in front after fifteen minutes, but Oxspring were level just ten minutes later and won it with a second half goal.
On of the sides that could deny Oxspring is Mosborough Royal Oak who also gave their hopes a boost with victory over Woodseats Abbey, but after leading 3-0 at one stage they were made to sweat after Abbey netted two late goals. A disputed penalty award for a foul on Jonjo Riley allowed Ricky Davidson to give Oak a first half lead and after the break, Craig Woolley's header made it two. Joe France's third looked to be giving Oak a comfortable victory, but Ryan Barker and Sal Fawzi strikes put Abbey right back in the game and Oak were grateful to hear the final whistle.
Fletchers got over the disappointment of their defeat by Telecom with a comfortable win at Half Moon. David Nash's twenty five yarder into the top corner put them ahead, only to see Lee Walker level for the home side and even after gary Cooper had headed Fletchers back in front, they still went into half time level after Matthew Corn's penalty for the home side. There was no mistake in the second half after Cooper put Fletchers back in front and Richard Jones headed a fourth before Darren Firth made the final score 5-2.
Division Two - I say Old Boys look good for title and Abacrombie set for second
The Division Two title looks to be going Handsworth Old Boys way after they too four points out of six against two of their main rivals. They first went to Cutlers Arms for a game where victory for either side would see them go top and Handsworth's leading scorer Trevor Jones put them ahead in a first half they just shaded. Cutlers came out for the second half meaning business and Anthony Lewis-Sydney levelled, but when Jones restored Handsworth's lead with just five minutes remaining it looked like they would go top, but super sub James Haslam popped up to level with virtually the final action of the game.
That set Handsworth up for a virtual title decider with Park & Arbour LFS and Park gained the early advantage when Danny adkins fastened on to Darren Knowles's pass to beat the keeper, but Handsworth were level before half time through their leading scorer Trevor Jones. It swung Park's way again in the second half when Adkins hit his thirtyfirst goal of the season, but Josh Coulson levelled from the spot after a controversial penalty award. The Old Boys had the upper hand now and Jones won it for them when he netted from close range.
That defeat saw Park slip two places after Millhouses Abacrombie grabbed second place with two wins in four days. They first went to Hollin Bush and two each for Paul Armitage and Ally Berry gave them the points, although the win wasn't as straightforward as it looks as Bush hit the woodwork three times in a second half they dominated.
Next up was a visit by Colley Club and things weren't going to plan during a goalless first half, but once Ally Berry had given Abacrombie the lead there was no stopping them. Paul Armitage scored a hat-trick and Berry netted his second before they took their foot off the pedal allowing Neil Whitworth and Dave gleeson to hit two late consolations for Colley..
Sunday 1 April 2007
CBC Premier - West End close to title, but Nelson look set for drop
A last gasp draw for Redmires and defeat for Woodhouse George has left Woodhouse West End on the brink of the title after their victory at Hemsworth Villa, but Lord Nelson look set for the drop after they lost their six pointer with Stocksbridge Park Steels, while Laycock Sports grabbed an invaluable win over George and Handsworth WMC took a point at Niagara.
Woodhouse West End got a dream start when they faced a Hemsworth Villa side that had been one of only two sides to take points off them this season, with Lee Glaves finding the Villa net after just eleven seconds. West End went on to dominate the first half and added two more from James Walters and Dale Fuller. Villa had a better second half, but they couldn't get past the West End defence and it was the champions elect that completed the scoring through David Haley.
After beating Hemsworth Villa four days earlier, Stannington Village again gave West End a helping hand by holding second place Redmires to a draw and had it not been for a controversial penalty award, they may well have Redmires eleven game unbeaten run.
Sean Downing pounced on some indecision by Stannington's keeper to give Redmires a first half lead, but just after half time David Hague's free kick came back out to Shane Hinshelwood and he squared it for Craig Gambling to level against his old side. Another Redmires old boy, Simon Bradbury, then put Stannington ahead and it looked like Redmires title chances were going to take a fatal blow until Gambling was ruled to have fouled Andy Birks in the area and Birks stepped up to give Redmires a point.
After losing in midweek to local rivals Pen Nook, Stocksbridge Park Steels were left sweating, but they needn't have worried too much though as six days later they won their six-pointer with fellow strugglers Lord Nelson to virtually guarantee their place in the top flight for another season. Adrian Tazziman gave them the lead with a trademark free kick, before Jamie Newton added a second. Chris Kelly then headed home to wrap up the three points that should see Steels safe.
Laycock Sports also gave their survival hopes a boost when they came from behind to beat Woodhouse George. Michael Blythen gave George a first half lead from the penalty spot, but soon after the break Scott Wesney levelled after a brilliant solo run. With skipper Andy Register giving a man of the match performance at the back for Laycock's they never looked like conceding again and with just three minutes remaining Steve Morris produced one of his trademark chips over the keeper to deservedly give them all three points and a real chance to avoid the drop.
Handsworth WMC travelled to Niagara knowing that victory would just about see them safe, but with Brendan Burns outstanding at the back for the home side they had to settle for a point. Robert Pratt went close for Handsworth a couple of times and Jamie King, Paul Renshaw and Scott Abramski all also had chances, but they couldn't break the deadlock and may now need to win one of their final two games to be safe.
Division
One - Telecom leave
it late, but Oxspring and Travellers also win
Adam Podmore's late winner against Royal Oak Pitsmoor kept Telecom Sports on top, but Andy Taylor's goal gave Oxspring Lowood victory over Mosborough Royal Oak and Ecclesfield Travellers beat Pitsmoor Hotel. Loxley and Woodseats Abbey both hit five against Half Moon and Oughtibridge Village respectively.
Division One leaders Telecom Sports took a big step towards the title with a win over a Royal Oak Pitsmoor that started the day in second place, but who now find themselves outside the promotion places. After Danny Nelson had hit the bar with an early header, the impressive Adam Podmore gave Telecom's youngsters the lead, only to see John Mellor level from the penalty spot. Oak were finding it hard to keep the home side at bay and Podmore turned provider for Nelson to restore Telecom's lead before the break.
Oak dug deep though to again level through Anthony Rodgers and after both Paul Marrison and Podmore had hit their woodwork, it looked as if they would hold on for a point. Podmore had other ideas though and when he picked the ball up on the half way line he drove at the Oak defence before hitting an early shot past the keeper to keep Telecom on top.
Oxspring Lowood lifted themselves into second place when a single Andy Taylor strike gave them victory at fellow promotion hopefuls Mosborough Royal Oak. Oak had the better of the first half and thought they had taken the lead on the stroke of half time, only for Joe France's effort to be disallowed. The second half saw precious few chances for either side, but the points went Oxspring's way when Taylor produced a precise lob over the keeper from thirty yards.
Now up to third is Ecclesfield Travellers after they beat fellow League Cup semi finalists Pitsmoor Hotel 3-0. Travellers had been rocked before the game when they found out that skipper Shane Whittles was out for the season with a fractured skull, but they looked determined to show they can get over his loss and Anthony Hutchinson opened the scoring for them when he converted a penalty.
Leading scorer Craig Senior then rounded the keeper to put them two up before half time and their third came in the second half when Chris France's corner eluded everyone to find the net. Travellers got a further boost when Jayson Reeves returned to action for the final twenty minutes ahead of next weekend's semi final.
It had not been good preparation for next weekend's semi final for Pitsmoor, but their opponents Loxley showed they might be getting back to their best with a 5-1 victory at Half Moon. Moon had taken an early lead through Scott Kirk, but John Bailey stole in to level almost immediately and he put them ahead from the penalty spot before half time.
After the break, man of the match Andy Hogg crossed for Danny Bray to head a third for Loxley before Bailey completed his hat-trick with another header and centre half Simon Mirfin completed the scoring with a long range effort.
Liam Colclough was another to hit a hat-trick as Woodseats Abbey continued their return to form by also hitting five at Oughtibridge Village. Abbey's skipper Colclough headed the opener and Ryan Barker doubled their lead before half time. After the break, two more from Colclough came either side of one from Adrian Von Wurzbach as Abbey won at a canter
Division Two - Park hit by Abacrombie again to throw title race wide open
Will Dunwell and Ally Berry goals gave Millhouses Abacrombie the double over leaders Park & Arbour LFS to throw the title race wide open. Sportsman Stannington won at Colley Club and Lisano Giants sign out with defeat at Hollin Bush.
Park had slightly the better of a first half with Jason Hopwood hitting the woodwork and Abacrombie keeper Mark Davies pulling off a tremendous double save from a free kick, but the second half wasn't too old when Will Dunwell met Ally Berry's cross to head Abacombie into the lead.
Darren Knowles went close to giving Park an equaliser, but Abacrombie always threatened to get another and with just three minutes remaining, a Ben Woodman corner was headed firmly home by Ally Berry to give the home side the three points that keeps their promotion hopes alive and throw the title race wide open.
After losing in midweek, Sportsman Stannington knew they had to get back to winning ways when they visited Colley Club, but they seemed determined to throw the chance away by missing a whole string of chances. Finally, Chris King found the net to give them a half time lead and Matt Jessermino doubled it in the second half. It was a good job he did as rare Colley attack produced a penalty award that Steve Whitworth put away. That gave Sportsman a nervy last few minutes but they held on to the points that could yet help them to a top five finish.
That sort of position is beyond Hollin Bush, but they showed that they could be a force to be reckoned with next season with a 7-1 victory over a Lisano Giants playing their final game in the league. Ian Westwood hit four of the Bush goals, with the others coming from Steve Stenton, Dave Thornhill and Daz Law, while Jean-Marie Sako hit The Giants consolation.