Sunday 25 Feb 2007
CBC Premier - George keep up the chase, while Steels on the climb and Laycocks kept out by Moat
Despite another Tom Brightmore goal for Lord Nelson, Chris Towey and Wes Pierce strikes kept Woodhouse George in touch with the leaders, while Stocksbridge Park Steels grabbed a valuable three points at The Park, but Laycock Sports go down at Hemsworth Villa and Handsworth WMC fall at Stannington Village.
It looked good for Laycocks when their leading scorer Danny Milner took Gary McWilliams cross in his stride to open the scoring, but they were pegged back when Scott Moat levelled for Villa before the break. The second half wasn't too old when Ian Holmes headed Villa in front and Moat made it three after playing a one-two with Holmes.
Lloyd McPherson capped his impressive display for Laycocks by pulling one back and giving them hope that they could still get something out of the game. Villa should have sealed it when they were awarded a penalty, but Mark Hopkinson shot over the bar and as Laycocks pressed for an equaliser he then went close to gifting them an equaliser when he headed against his own bar.
Stocksbridge Park Steels were level on points with their hosts The Park so victory for either was going to be important and it looked to be going The Park's way when Andy Chafer gave them the lead just past the half hour mark. With the help of a terrific save by Jamie Hill, they held on to it until twenty minutes from time when Hill was powerless to stop Adam Todd netting from six yards. Both sides went for the winner and Matt Hill struck a post for The Park, but it went Steels way when Jim McSeveney scored his first goal for the club.
Handsworth WMC's slide continued with defeat at a Stannington Village that now look to be clear of any relegation problems of their own. Injury hit Handsworth contributed to their own downfall when pressure from David Hague forced a defender to turn Paul Womack's cross into his own net and although Handsworth almost levelled when Ryan Taylor hit a post, they went two behind when Josh Wright tapped in at the near post. Handsworth did better in the second half and went close a few times, but it was Robin Elliott that marked his great display for Stannington with the games final goal.
Lord Nelson's hopes of avoiding the drop almost got a boost at champions Woodhouse George, but Tom Brightmore's fourth goal in two games wasn't quite enough to give them a surprise point as goals from Chris Towey and Wes Pierce kept George in the chase for a third successive title.
Division One - Senior Service sends Travellers to the top, but Loxley slip at Oak
Division One has new leaders after Ecclesfield Travellers just edged a seven goal thriller with Woodseats Abbey, but Loxley looked to be out of the title race after they crashed to a late defeat at fellow League Cup semi finalists Mosborough Royal Oak and Pitsmoor Hotel's promotion bid took a blow when they were held at home by draw specialists Fletchers.
Craig Senior headed Travellers in front, but Abbey were soon level when Adrian Von Wurzbach marked his return to the side when he netted from the penalty spot. With Chris Brown and Chris France pulling the strings for Travellers, they went back in front when Danny Touhey headed home from a flighted free kick and he netted his second to double Travellers advantage.
A second Von Wurzbach penalty reduced the arrears for Abbey, but Senior netted his second with the games best goal to give Travellers more breathing space and they needed it when Ross Melas pounced on a mistake by Lee Pagdin to net a third for Abbey.
Loxley knew they would be in for a tough test at Mosborough Royal Oak and they struggled to make any impact in the first half, so after Oak had missed several good chances it was no surprise when they took the lead through Joe France. Loxley's best effort in the first half saw John Bailey bring a good save out of Oak's keeper and it was Bailey that eventually levelled for Loxley in the second half, but just when they thought they might go home with a point, France popped up to grab his second and a very late winner for Oak.
Pitsmoor Hotel's promotion bid looked to be on course when Scott Sjarzes beat two defenders before chipping the ball over the advancing keeper, but Fletchers when David Nash netted from just outside the area. Rob Russell then took Simon Marcus's pass in his stride to put Fletchers in front, but it was Pitsmoor's turn to level when Luke Parwana flicked header found the net.
Pitsmoor then went back in front when Gavin Davies brought Glyn Walker's free kick down on his chest before volleying home, but they had to settle for a point after Mark Tiler finished off a good build up with a glancing header to secure Fletchers fourth consecutive draw.
Division Two - Park look mint after eight at the Giants, but Cutlers held
Park & Arbour LFS took a grip of Division Two's top spot with an eight goal thrashing of bottom club Lisano Giants and it turned into an even better day for them when title rivals Cutlers Arms were held to a draw at Millhouses
Abacrombie.
Mark Bingham collected three of Park's goals, with leading score Danny Adkins and Jason Hopwood netting two each, while the Knowles brothers combined for Darren to net the other, but Lisano should be praised for never letting their heads drop even when they had a consolation ruled out by the referee.
Cutlers Arms knew they were in for a hard game at Millhouses Abacrombie and although Scott Smedley's volley hit the bar early on the first half stayed goalless. Chances were few a far between in the second half, but Cutlers went behind when Sam Bartram fired home a terrific shot from long range. Cutlers knew they had to get something from the game and late pressure finally brought an equaliser when Mark Franklin smashed home from the edge of the area.
The day's other game saw Delroy Palmer keep up his recent scoring run with the only goal against Civil Service. Both sides missed a host of chances during the first half and they continued that trend into the second half until Palmer finally made one count. Service thought they had levelled later on, but the referee ruled it out and Colley held on for their fourth win of the season.
Sunday 18 Feb 2007
CBC Premier - Future looks More Bright for Nelson as relegation battle hots up
Tom Brightmore hit a hat-trick as Lord Nelson hit Stannington Village for five to boost their battle to beat the drop, but The Park and Stocksbridge Park Steels also picked up all three points and Pen Nook took a point at Woodhouse George. Woodhouse West End took a grip of the title with a narrow home win over Niagara and Redmires went joint second with victory at Handsworth WMC.
While Woodhouse West End took a firm grip of the CBC Premier title with a narrow win over Niagara, the battle to avoid the drop heated up as Lord Nelson, The Park and Stocksbridge Park Steels all claimed victories and Pen Nook took a point at Woodhouse George. The title races in both Division One and Two also hotted up as Division One leaders Oxspring Lowood could only draw at Fletchers and Fairbank-Rhodes lost top spot in Division Two to a Cutlers Arms that hit them for six.
The day's most surprising result came at Lord Nelson as the CBC Premier strugglers hit Stannington Village for their heaviest defeat since joining the league five years ago. Stannington had plenty of the game but when it came to finishing they were given a real lesson with youngster Tom Brightmore leading the way with a hat-trick and Matt Bray and Scott Middleton adding the others.
The importance of Nelson's win became apparent when they saw that the two sides directly below them also grabbed vital victories. Lee Bridges was The Park's two goal hero as they came from two down to beat Hemsworth Villa. Ian Holmes had already hit The Park's bar before Lee Rodgers took advantage of a goalkeeping error to put Villa ahead and when Lance Dixon got onto the end of Mark Hopkinson's cross to double Villa's lead it looked bleak for the home side.
Even though The Park started to have more of the game in the second half, Villa appeared to be holding on without too much trouble, but with little more than ten minutes remaining Lee Bridges pounced to give The Park hope and soon after Ben Lee netted to level the scores. Dixon then missed a great chance to put Villa back in front and they paid for it when Bridges struck again deep into injury time to win it for The Park.
It didn't lift them out of the bottom three though as Stocksbridge Park Steels won their six pointer with fellow strugglers Laycock Sports. Laycock's drew first blood when Mark Plumtree's shot was deflected past the Steels keeper, but Adam Todd hit a real screamer to level matters before half time. After the break Todd struck again to put Steels ahead and Jamie Wilkins added a third to make the points safe, leaving Steels just above the drop zone and Laycock's well and truly in it.
Laycock's nearly ended the day at the foot of the table as Pen Nook kept up their remarkable away form to put a big dent into Woodhouse George's hopes of a third successive title. Kirk Briddon gave George an early lead, but Craig Thickett lobbed the keeper to put Nook all square and Damien Smith smashed home a terrific free kick to put them ahead before half time.
After the break, Wes Pierce levelled for George with a penalty, but the rest of the action all came in the last five minutes. First Ryan McGuiness put George back in front only to see Mark Barraclough level again for Nook. George must have again thought they had won it when Michael Brown put them ahead again deep into added time, but Nook kept their remarkable away record going when Thickett netted with virtually th last kick of the game.
That was a real blow to George's title hopes especially as leaders Woodhouse West End grabbed a narrow home win over Niagara. The visitors struck first when Liam Pigott found the net, but James Kinsley brought West End level before half time. After the break West End took control with two James Walters strikes and although Pigott hit his second from the penalty spot it wasn't enough to stop the leaders opening up an eight point gap at the top.
George's hold on second place is also under threat from a Redmires side that kept it's great run going with a 4-0 victory at Handsworth WMC. Danny Lindley finsihed off a three man move to put them ahead and Tom Bonser waltzed through the home sides defence to set Andy Birks up for their second before half time. It was a simialr story after the break with Luke Siggs crossing for Lindley to hit his second and Birks adding his second late on for a win that puts them level on points with George.
Division One - Leaders Oxspring held, but all their main challengers win
Division One leaders Oxspring Lowood looked to be heading for their first away defeat of the season when Fletchers' leading scorer played a great one-two with Lewis Barnes before giving the home side a half time lead. Although that had been against the run of play, Oxspring were finding it hard to break Fletchers down, but an equaliser came when keeper Carl Whitby allowed new signing Steve Bethell's shot to slip past him.
Oxspring held on to top spot, but the sharks are beginning to gather behind them. Royal Oak Pitsmoor climbed back into second place by ending their run of four games without a win with a 2-1 home victory over Woodseats Abbey. In the first half Oak found the form that had deserted them recently and after Kev Schofield had given them the lead, John Mellor celebrated his Angel Networks Peak Performer Award by ending his lean spell with a second from the penalty spot. Another penalty allowed Tom Colclough to pull one back for Abbey and although they had a much better second half, they couldn't quite do enough to level.
Right behind Oak is Ecclesfield Travellers after their 6-2 victory at relegation threatened Oughtibridge Village. Scott Johnson put them ahead from the penalty spot early on before Craig Senior hit a second. Johnson then missed from the penalty spot and it looked like Travellers might pay a heavy price when Danny Saif struck twice to bring Village level. It didn't stay like that long though as a third penalty for Travellers was put away by Chris France and they again took complete control. Shane Whittles added a fourth, Danny Tuehy a fifth and Senior's second finished things off.
The biggest threat to all the top three's title hopes looks to be coming from Telecom Sports, especially if they continue to show the kind of grit that saw them twice go two down before beating Pitsmoor Hotel 4-3. two Gavin Davies goals put Pitsmoor two up, but Telecom were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty that Joe Shaw expertly put away. The second half saw Pitsmoor again go two in front when Scott Sjarzes headed home, but Telecom began to assert themselves and Luke Mitchell-Stanley reduced the arrears. Richard Ford then levelled and with time running out Shaw pounced on a poor clearance by the keeper to lob Telecom's winner.
Despite their lowly position, Mosborough Royal Oak aren't out of the promotion race as they have games in hand on virtually all the sides above them. They might have to defend better than they did though against Half Moon who were very unlucky to lose out in an eleven goal thriller. Steve Wilkinson and Ricky Davidson gave Oak an early two goal lead and although Scott Kirk pulled one back for Moon, Wilkinson restored Oak's two goal advantage and Joe France increased it further.
Moon suddenly came to life and stunned their hosts with goals from Nathan Kingswood, Matt Corn and Lee Walker to draw level, but France struck again to put Oak back in front. Moon levelled again through Jason Berraa, but the home side finally won it with a very late Andy Marsh strike.
Division Two - Cutlers hit leaders for six to take over at the top
The leadership of Division Two changed hands yet again as Cutlers Arms swapped places with Fairbank-Rhodes after hammering them 6-1. Fairbank simply never got going and a Scott Smedley double together with Steve Cousins and Chris Nelson goals had Cutlers four up by the break. After the break Smedley completed his hat-trick before Steve Bates hit a consolation for Fairbank, but Smedley had the final say with his fourth.
He wasn't the day's highest scorer though as Millhouses Abacrombie's Paul Armitage topped the hit parade with five goals in a 7-1 thrashing of Sportsman Stannington. A smart turn and finsih gave Armitage his first and that was all there was between the sides at half time, but after the break, Sportsman simply didn't know what had hit them.
Will Dunwell's powerful header doubled Abacrombie's lead and Armitage headed his second to make it three. Dunwell then added his second before Chris King netted Sportsman's consolation, but after that it became the Armitage show as he added three more.
Handsworth Old Boys improved their title chances with a narrow win over an unlucky Colley Club. Trevor Jones put Handsworth ahead when his quick free kick caught the Colley defence and keeper napping, but Colley levelled before half time through Delroy Palmer. Although Handsworth had a great chance to go back in front when they were awarded a penalty, Colley keeper Paul Humphreys saved brilliantly to keep his side level, but when Handsworth were awarded a second spot kick he could do nothing to stop Dave Griffiths hitting Handsworth's winner.
Hollin Bush turned on the goal power at Lisano Giants to grab their third away win of the season. Ian Westwood fired them ahead from the penalty spot, but the Giants soon levelled with a superb free kick by Samba Keita. It wasn't long before Bush were back in front though with Luke Bagshaw firing home and Kyle Kilham netted their third before the interval. The Giants tried hard to get back into the game, but couldn't find another way through the bush defence and it was Steve Stenton that completed the scoring with two more for Bush on his debut.
Sunday
11 Feb 2007
CBC Premier - Birks Beggs the difference as weather takes its toll
With the snow of last week and heavy overnight rain leaving pitches sodden, the only game played saw Redmires come from two down to beat The Park and climb back to third in the CBC Premier table.
Redmires had the better of the early exchanges, but a quick break saw them fall behind as Joe Barker cut in from the wing and hit a shot that took a deflection off John Dale past his own keeper. Ten minutes later it got worse for both Redmires and Dale as it was his trip on Lee Bridges that saw referee Colin Brown points to the spot and Matt Hill fired the penalty home to double The Park's advantage.
It was the second game in succession that Redmires had found themselves two down at the interval and they decided that changes were required. They brought on Tom Bonser and
Andy Birks (pictured) to bolster midfield and the changes soon brought dividends as Birks finished off a good move with a volley past the keeper.
It was all Redmires now and it wasn't too long before Wayne Beggs cut in from the right to beat the full back and thunder the equaliser into the net. The Park were doing their best to regain control of the game, but just when they thought it looked like they had weathered the storm, Beggs produced a replica of his first to hit what turned out to be the winner.
Division One - All games postponed
The snow of last week and heavy overnight rain put paid to all the games
Division Two - All games postponed
The snow of last week and heavy overnight rain put paid to all the games
Sunday 4 Feb 2007
League Cup - Handsworth tumble as Joe gives Mosborough that Va Va Voom
For the first time in the history of the League there will be no top flight clubs in the League Cup semi finals after two extra time Joe France goals helped Mosborough Royal Oak defeat Handsworth WMC to make it a clean sweep for Division One sides.
Handsworth started brightly, but found themselves behind when Ricky Davidson caught them on the break. Handsworth were level before half time though when Dean Brown volleyed home after George Barnes had flicked on Paul Renshaw's long throw and they came closest to winning the game in the second half when Eddie Holmes twice headed against the bar, but neither side could find another goal so the tie went to extra time.
Handsworth thought they had the lead when Barnes rattled the underside of the crossbar, but the ball stayed out and it was Oak that finally edged back in front when France crashed home a free kick. He then doubled their advantage with a penalty and although Handsworth keeper Lee Richardson struck the bar with a free kick, a mix up in the Handsworth defence saw Ricky Gregory add a fourth for Oak to confirm their place in the semi finals with fellow Division One sides Loxley, Pitsmoor Hotel and Ecclesfield Travellers.
CBC Premier - Villa put West End on hold, while Nelson and Niagara all square
In the league, just two CBC Premier games survived the heavy overnight frost and although they both ended even, they proved to be important results for the home sides. Lord Nelson may not have reached the top of the column yet but the point gained from their 1-1 draw with Niagara was enough to lift them out of the bottom three. It might have been three after makeshift centre forward Dave Swift had given them a first half lead, but Niagara grabbed a share of the points with a second half strike by Oliver Sayles.
Although Woodhouse West End lost their perfect home record with their goalless draw against Hemsworth Villa, it was enough to extend their lead at the top of the CBC Premier to six points. Villa gave West End very few sights of their goal, even after they lost keeper Jamie King with an injured arm and they might even have won it when man of the match Paul Jenkinson hit the bar.
Division One - Travellers, Telecom and Pitsmoor all close up on the leaders
In Division One Loxley missed a second successive chance to take top spot when they lost to title rivals Ecclesfield Travellers and Royal Oak Pitsmoor's poor run continued when they could only draw at Fletchers, but Telecom Sports and Pitsmoor Hotel both improved their chances with victories.
With leaders Oxspring Lowood's game being postponed, victory for Loxley would have seen them go top, but Ecclesfield Travellers are beginning to run into the kind of form that saw them take the Division two title last season and skipper Shane Whittles celebrated his 150th appearance for the club with a comfortable victory.
Craig Senior headed Travellers in front before Kieron Webb doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after Scott Johnson had been felled and the game was as good as over before half time when Johnson crossed for Glen Bell to volley home. Loxley briefly rallied after the break when John Bailey headed home, but Travellers never looked likely to lose their grip on the points and a second from Senior completed the scoring.
Telecom Sports is another side beginning to find their very best form and Paul Marrison's second hat-trick in as many weeks helped them to a 6-2 victory over half Moon. Simon Smith tapped home the easiest of chances before Marrison netted his first two and Adam Podmore added a fourth before half time. Marrison grabbed his third and Luke Mitchell-Stanley made it 6-0 before Lee Johnson and Lee Walker netted two consolations for the visitors, but Telecom would have had the final say had Smith not seen his penalty brilliantly saved by the Moon keeper.
Pitsmoor Hotel continued their climb up the table with a single goal victory over a Woodseats Abbey beginning to fall away from the promotion race. The winner came when Leon Stocks finished off a well worked set piece, but Abbey can count themselves unfortunate to get nothing out of the game. Referee Brent Marsh also received praise for his handling of the game in difficult conditions.
Royal Oak Pitsmoor looked to be on the way to a much needed victory when Anthony Rodgers gave them a tenth minute lead at Fletchers, especially as just five minutes later their hosts were reduced to ten men, but Oak couldn't take advantage and in the second half it was Fletchers who kept creating and missing the best chances. They weren't to be denied though and Gary Cooper headed home Simon Marcus's free kick and only a great save by Oak's keeper stopped Rob Russell winning it for Fletchers.
Division Two - Kerr-ful Fairbank stay top and Danny is Park's boy again, while Biera treble see Giants celebrate
Fairbank-Rhodes held on to the Division Two top spot with a draw at title rivals Handsworth Old Boys, but Park & Arbourthorne are beginning to close up on them after they grabbed a narrow victory over Civil Service.
Dean Smith put Handsworth in front early on, but Jamie Kerr replied for the leaders before half time and it was a similar story in the second half with Smith restoring the Old Boys' lead and Kerr curling home a free kick to give Fairbank a share of the points.
Park & Arbourthorne must have thought it would be plain sailing when Mark Bingham gave them the lead at home to Civil Service after just three minutes, but Service began to produce some of their best football of the season and only the post stopped Chris Cockburn grabbing an equaliser. Dave Whitby was giving the home defence plenty to think about and when he was chopped down in the area by Lee South, he picked himself up to level from the spot.
Only a terrific save by Park keeper Steve Whitehead stopped Cockburn giving Service the lead before the break, but soon after it Simon Windle's through ball saw Darren Knowles just beat the offside trap to chip over the keeper to restore Park's lead. It only lasted a minute though as Whitby forced a corner and Simon Hall's cross was flicked on by Cockburn for Jake Ford to power home a header at the back post.
After that Service still gave their hosts plenty to think about, but they were undone again when Windle found leading scorer Danny Adkins and he used his pace before coolly chipping over the onrushing keeper to give them a victory they hardly deserved.
Lisano Giants climbed off the foot of the table when a David Biera treble helped them to only their second win of the season at home to a Woodhouse Angel that now find themselves at the bottom. Biera opened the scoring, an own goal doubled the Giants advantage and Biera made it three before Darryl Thomas pulled one back.
Jean-Mory Sacko restored the Giants three goal advantage, and although Jack Moorhouse and Dale Williams goals put Angel right back in the game, it was Biera that had the final word to complete his hat-trick and seal the points for The Giants.
Colley Club's game at Millhouses Abacrombie was abandoned after just twelve minutes when Colley's Paul Lawless suffered a double fracture when challenging for a loose ball. Paul who only joined the Club this season, had made himself a fixture in the side and we wish the popular lad a speedy recovery.