27 Feb - Macron Cup - Atkins & Todd at the double for West End & Steels, while Service shock Villa -  An Ashley Atkins (pictured left) double helped West End win the Woodhouse 'derby' and a place in the semi finals for a sixth time in seven years and joining them in the semi finals on 27 March is Stocksbridge Park Steels after an Adam Todd (pictured right) double saw off Division One leaders Southey Social. Civil Service caused a surprise by beating Hemsworth Villa in the delayed Round 3 tie and pictured below left is Wes Bamford's winner. Service now play Handsworth WMC at Handsworth on 6 March for the final place in the semi finals.

While Civil Service caused a minor shock in the Macron Cup when they ended their long winless run by snatching a late victory at fellow CBC Premier side Hemsworth Villa, Woodhouse West End advanced to their sixth semi final in the last seven years with victory over local rivals Woodhouse Angel, and joining them in the semi finals is current CBC Premier leaders Stocksbridge Park Steels after they won at Division One leaders Southey Social.

Civil Service travelled to Hemsworth Villa having lost eight and drawn one of their last nine games, but they started the quicker of the two sides and it came as no surprise when they took the lead. It had a bit of luck about it though as Adam Firth’s free kick was deflected goalwards by Ben Brown and another deflection by a defender beat keeper Shayne Bennett (pictured below right).

Service continued the half on top and only a couple of saves by Bennett stopped them extending their lead, but after half time it was a different story as it was Villa’s turn to dominate. Scott Preece was just wide with one effort and Service keeper Carl Whitby had to be at his best to stop Alex Yule, but the pressure eventually had to tell and when Russ Westby found Peter Burgin, he applied the finish.

Service must have feared the worst at this stage, but with both teams going for a winner the game started to open up. The pace of Lee Wild and Wes Bamford began to cause Villa problems on the break and when Bamford cut inside Westby he took his shot early and it bobbled over Bennett’s outstretched and into the net for the winner. They will now travel to Handsworth WMC next weekend for the quarter final. More pictures from Civil Service's victory is shown below

There was little between the sides in the first half of the Woodhouse ‘derby’ between Angel and West End and the sides went in goalless, but the second half wasn’t too old before West End took the lead when David Haley maintained his rich vein of form in front of goal with a header after the Angel keeper could only parry an Ashley Atkins shot.

Man of the match Damien Blakemore (pictured left) had set Atkins up for the shot and Blakemore continued to cause the Angel defence more problems when he put Atkins through to hit West End’s second. Angel then shot themselves in the foot with the loss of two players to second yellow cards and when Blakemore set Atkins up again, the tie was as good as over. West End made absolutely sure of another semi final appearance though when skipper Dale Fuller burst through before setting up Dave Kippax for his side’s fourth. West End will now face the winner of the Handsworth WMC, Civil Service tie in the semi final.

Stocksbridge Park Steels travelled to Division One leaders Southey Social knowing that Southey had already put out two CBC Premier sides and keen to add a third scalp to their growing reputation, but a first half was tilted Steels way when they were awarded a penalty and Adam Todd calmly sent the keeper the wrong way.

Southey roared out of the blocks for the second half and quickly levelled things up with a Rob Womack free kick that found the bottom corner, but just as they thought that third scalp was on its way, Mitchell Savage took advantage of a hesitant defence to run through and restore Steels lead. Todd then added his second to give Steels a two goal lead, but Southey pulled one back when referee Steve Clarkson awarded them a penalty and Nicky Danks scored from the spot.

Southey pressed furiously for an equaliser, but they inevitably had to gamble and they were caught by a quick break and Kevin Davies restored Steels two goal advantage and the tie was over. Southey will now face another Division One side, The Vine, in the semi finals.

CBC Premier - Leaders slam Ranch, but Yew Tree's title hopes hit, while Laycock's grab a lifeline -  Craig Senior and Gavin Hunter both hit doubles as Ecclesfield 147 extended their lead at the top with victory over bottom club Ranch, but Yew Tree's chances of taking the title took a blow as a Shane Toulson inspired Stannington Village beat them, while Stavros Kontou hit the winner as Laycock Sports fought back from two down at Handsworth WMC to claim three vital points in their battle to avoid the drop.

CBC Premier leaders Ecclesfield 147 may have played many more games than all of their title rivals, but they signalled that they are going to make it as hard as possible to catch them with a 5-0 victory over bottom club Ranch, to open up a seven point gap at the top. Ranch packed midfield to try to keep the leaders quiet, but their plans were soon undone. Craig Senior had already missed one chance before he set up Gavin Hunter for the opener, although it needed the help of a deflection by Ranch defender Steve Batty.

It wasn’t too much longer before Senior got his name on the scoresheet after the impressive Scott Touhey had set him up and Ryan Keeney then put Jayson Reeves through for him to celebrate his return from injury with the third. The second half saw Ecclesfield continue to outclass their hosts and both Senior and Hunter added their second to complete a convincing victory.

Yew Tree’s hopes of catching them took a blow though as an improving Stannington Village took the points. Tree keeper James Marks made a rare error when he dropped a cross to gift Sami Eric the opener for Stannington and although Phil Sharpe levelled for Tree from almost thirty yards, they were behind at the interval after Shane Toulson (pictured left) had crossed for Matt Asher to head home.

After the break Tree again hit back to level a second time when Scott Birch’s through ball allowed Steve Gordon to flash the ball home from twelve yards and they went flat out for the victory they needed. That inevitably left gaps at the back and Toulson again found the perfect pass for Sean Flynn to put the ball under Marks to put Stannington in front for a third time and they confirmed their victory when Touslon’s free kick was deflected home by Asher.

At the other end of the table, Laycock Sports improved their chances of avoiding the drop when they came from two down to win at Handsworth WMC. Andy Stevens and Danny Leesley combined for James Leesley to find the bottom corner to give Handsworth the lead and when Sean Simmonite out jumped the Laycocks keeper from Stevens’ free kick it looked bleak for Laycocks, but a penalty three minutes before the interval saw Alex Napier pull one back and they went into the half time break level after Steve Morris headed home.

The second half saw Handsworth’s Oliver Barrett go close before Robert Pratt had a shot saved by the Laycocks keeper. Carl Bowler also went close for Handsworth, but Laycocks went even closer as Brett Douglas hit both post and bar and they were eventually awarded with a valuable winner from Stavros Kontou.

Division 1 - The Vine up to second, but at a cost while Birks lifts Redmires and Campbell hits four for Malthouse -  The Vine climbed to second, but  it came at a cost as scorer of their second goal, Jamie Moore suffered a broken collar bone. Redmires kept their perfect record as Andy Birks scored twice in their victory over Anston Athletic, while Lee Campbell (pictured right) scored four as Malthouse won their six-pointer with Loxley and Rivelin came from two down to beat Brinsworth Whitehill.

The Vine climbed up to second place in Division Two with victory at bottom club Handsworth Old Boys, but it came at a price as scorer of one of their goals, Jamie Moore, suffered a broken collar bone. Rikki Davidson crossed for Danny Seaman to put The Vine in front and Seaman then turned provider for Moore to double their advantage. More goals would have followed had it not been for Handsworth’s stand-in keeper Scott Naseby and his work nearly paid off when Gregg Burgin pulled one back, but, despite the loss of Moore, the visitors held on.

Redmires look to be an even bigger threat though after they continued their perfect record with a home win over struggling Anston Athletic. Redmires took the lead when referee Mark Bennett adjudged Dave Knaggs’ effort to have crossed the line and Ben Palmer later rounded the keeper to double the lead before half time. Andy Birks added a third with a rasping left foot shot and although Matt Roebuck pulled one back for Anston, Birks had the final say when he finished off good work by the impressive Luke Siggs.

Brinsworth Whitehill missed the chance to go joint second when they let a two goal lead slip before slipping to defeat at a Rivelin side moving swiftly away from danger at the bottom.  It was against the run of play when Jamie Radford gave Brinsworth the lead from the penalty spot after he had been brought down and although Rivelin continued to dominate, Brinsworth broke quickly for Danny Marsden to double their lead.

Scott Smith pulled one back before the interval and after the break Rivelin started to turn pressure into goals. Matt Law deservedly drew them level before Josh Wright put them ahead and Clive Pickering sealed their win with their fourth.

Malthouse eased their relegation fears by completing an eight day double over a Loxley side now in the middle of the relegation dogfight. Lee Campbell showed what a difference he might have made to Malthouse’s season had he been able to make more appearances by grabbing four of their goals, while Karl Fox netted their fifth without reply.

Division 2 - Leaders fall to Niagara, while Bulls Head and Royal Oak both win - Leaders Fairbank-Rhodes unbeaten away record came to an end with defeat at title rivals Niagara, while second place Bulls Head and fifth place Royal Oak both won to crank up the pressure. Junior Blades grabbed their first away points as two Jake Schofield goals helped them to victory at Chapeltown RBL, while Ryan Campbell and Tom Fletcher doubles helped Oughtibridge win a seven goal thriller with The Park.

Division Two leaders Fairbank-Rhodes chances of taking the title suffered a blow when they were beaten by one of their main rivals, Niagara. Although Fairbank had slightly the better of things in the first half, they found themselves behind at the interval after Niagara’s Ben Dronfield’s (pictured right) left foot drive found the net. Fairbank’s continued to have slightly the better of things after the break, but when Chris Smith crossed, it left Simon Staniforth with a simple tap-in to double Niagara’s lead. Fairbank day continued to get worse when they were reduced to ten men, but they showed real spirit to pull one back through Scott Whittington and they almost rescued a point.

That gave second place Bulls Head the chance to close the gap and they made no mistake with victory over an Old Harrow that has become hard to beat. Bull took a half time lead when the keeper could only parry Joe Keighley’s shot onto the chest of one of his defenders and the ball rebounded into the net. Keighley was again involved in the second half clincher when he was felled in the area and Alan Mowforth rammed home the penalty.

Royal Oak also stayed in the hunt with a convincing win over bottom club Crookes & District. Simon Major put them in front after just five minutes and although Crookes briefly levelled when Chris Cottyn rounded the keeper to score his third in two games, Oak were in front at the interval thanks to an Owen Clarke strike. Clarke was on target again early in the second half and although Ryan Barker saw his penalty saved, an own goal and a Cole Starkes strike saw them comfortably home.

Junior Blades earned their first away win of the season with victory at Chapeltown RBL. Tom Grapes put them ahead after the Chapeltown defence failed to clear a corner and Jake Schofield doubled their lead from the [penalty spot after he had been brought down in the area. Schofield was on hand to tap in the Blades third after Robert Brookfield and Luke Thompson combined to create the opening.

The day’s other game saw Oughtibridge Village just pip The Park in a seven goal thriller. A Marcus Pass free kick gave The Park the lead in the first minute, but a Ryan Campbell header and a Tom Fletcher strike had Oughtibridge in front within ten minutes, and a second from Campbell increased their lead by the interval. The Park fought back with a Ben Lee penalty and a Lee Bridges strike, but Oughtibridge took the spoils when Fletcher produced a great solo run and finish.

13 Feb - Macron Cup - Rikki's four goal blast send The Vine through to semis -  The first of the Macron Cup quarter finals saw a four goal Rikki Davidson (pictured left) blast helped The Vine come from behind to beat fellow Division One side Millhouses Thermolast after extra time. In Round Three, Handsworth WMC also came from behind to beat the last of the Division Two sides, Oughtibridge Village, while former winners Stocksbridge Park Steels saw off Division One Handsworth Old Boys.

After netting all three of his sides goals in their victory over Pitsmoor Royal Oak in the previous round, Rikki Davidson went one better by netting four of The Vine’s goals as they came from two goals down against fellow Division One side Millhouses Thermolast to win a nine goal thriller and claim the first of the Macron Cup semi final places. When Jack Heffren long throw was flicked on by Will Blakeney, Davidson, despite a suspicion of handball, opened the scoring after just seven minutes, but Millhouses quickly responded to level with a Danny Turner header from a Danny Stuart corner, before full back Ben Woodman scored another header from a Matt Roney corner to put Millhouses ahead.

It looked as if the tie would go Millhouses way when another wicked delivery from Roney found the unmarked Tom Gardiner and he made it 3-1 at half time, but on the hour mark Blakeney got on the end of corner to head home and put The Vine back into the tie. James Marshall then produced a terrific save to stop Roney regaining a two goal lead for Millhouses and his work was rewarded when Davidson levelled with a bullet header to take the game into extra time.

Davidson completed his hat-trick to put The Vine into the lead a second time and when Blakeney set up another chance for him he blasted his fourth into the roof of the net. Millhouses responded with some furious pressure and Stuart pulled one back, and they almost levelled in the final minute when Steve Belks hit the bar, but The Vine held on to go into the semi finals for a third time in five years.

In the much delayed Round Three ties, the last remaining Division Two side, Oughtibridge Village went out when they were beaten by former holders Handsworth WMC, but another Handsworth side, Handsworth Old Boys couldn’t join them as they went out at another former holder Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Oughtibridge Village shot themselves in the foot early in the game when they were reduced to ten men, but they shocked their CBC Premier visitors by taking the lead through Paul Hawksworth. Handsworth hit the woodwork with a Sean Simmonite effort, before Liam Simmonite’s cross was headed home by Kieron Gallagher to level and they went into the break in front after Andy Stevens had headed Tom Smith’s cross home. Good work by Robert Pratt and Ryan Taylor carved open the Oughtibridge defence for Liam Simmonite to score Handsworth’s third and Stevens rounded the keeper to net his second and confirm Handsworth’s place in the quarter finals.

Stocksbridge Park Steels were strong favourites to win their tie with Division One strugglers Handsworth Old Boys and it wasn’t long before Adam Todd gave the CBC Premier side the lead, but they were given a shock when Mario Esposito brought Handsworth level. They weren’t level for long though as John McSeveney restored Steels advantage and Tom Jowitt extended it before half time. Mitchell Savage made it 4-1 in the second half and Jowitt’s second made it five before Scott Naseby grabbed another deserved consolation for Handsworth.

CBC Premier - Ranch rocked by Haley -  A David Haley (pictured right) treble helped Woodhouse West End to victory at Ranch, while Laycock Sports drew with Stannington Village, as did Woodhouse Angel and Yew Tree.

Woodhouse West End stepped up their bid for a fifth successive CBC Premier title with an eight goal blast at bottom club Ranch and it was David Haley that had the Ranch rocking most with his hat-trick taking his tally to nine goals in his West End’s last five games. Skipper Dale Fuller opened the scoring for West End after Dave Kippax had laid the ball into his path. They should have doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty, but Mark Broadhurst pulled off a terrific save to deny Haley.

Worse followed for West End in the second half when Richard Berry levelled for the home side, but that was as good as it got for Ranch as a Mark Calvin inspired West End ran riot in the last twenty minutes. Haley restored their lead when he poked home following a scramble in the box and it was increased when Ash Atkins started and finished a move with the help of Kippax. Another penalty award saw Haley make no mistake the second time and after Ranch had pulled another back through Scott Thompson, Haley completed his hat-trick. Dave Kippax then deservedly got his name on the scoresheet, before Reuben Wood completed the scoring.

Yew Tree’s challenge took a double blow as Woodhouse Angel held them to a draw and they lost Dan Lewis with a broken collar bone. Both sides struggled to break the other down and when Adam Dickinson gave Angel the lead with just ten minutes remaining it looked as if they would take the points, but just two minutes from time Lewis was felled in the area and referee Tom Bramall had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Nathan Hanson probably had one of the longest waits before taking it though as Lewis had to wait for an ambulance before he could be moved, but eventually Hanson made no mistake to earn Tree a point.

Laycock Sports needed three points from the visit of Stannington Village to climb the table and after Steve Morris had hit the bar with an early effort, a through ball from Matt Edwards saw Sam Read give them the lead. They couldn’t hold on to it though as Matt Asher slid home a second half equaliser for Stannington and only a goal line clearance stopped Luke Mitchell-Stanley giving them all three points.

Division 1 - Sills ends Southey's run -  A first half David Sills (pictured right) strike was enough for Aston Swallownest to end Southey Social's 14 month unbeaten run, leaving Redmires as Division One's only unbeaten side after Andy Birks and Nick Hickson doubles helped them to victory over Loxley. A single John Iredale goal was enough for Rivelin to beat Anston Athletic.

The big shock in the league came in Division One where leaders Southey Social’s fourteen month unbeaten run came to end at the hands of fellow promotion challengers Aston Swallownest thanks to a single David Sills strike. The goal came after just ten minutes when Josh Batham set up the chance for Sills and although Southey created plenty of chances, for once they couldn’t take them. They also found the Aston defence as solid as a rock and Aston keeper Scott Hall in the form of his life.

Redmires is now the only side to have won all their league games, a run they kept going with a 6-0 home win against Loxley side now looking over their shoulders at the teams below them. Dave Knaggs set up the opener for Andy Birks and Birks returned the compliment for Knaggs to make it two. Knaggs then set up Liam Clark for number three before a Birks solo run ended with number four. Knaggs continued to cause problems for the Loxley defence and he set two more up for sub Nick Hickson.

Rivelin climbed further away from the danger zone when John Iredale scored the games only goal against Anston Athletic. Rivelin had virtually all the play, but the Anston defence stood firm until the second half when Iredale finally made the pressure pay. Anston rarely came close to troubling the Rivelin defence who comfortably held firm for their first clean sheet of the season at home.

Division 2 - It's all square at the top and bottom -  The top two, Fairbank-Rhodes and Bulls Head shared the points, as did the bottom two, Junior Blades and Crookes & District, while The Park and Old Harrow shared eight goals. Highfield Old Crown came away from Chapeltown RBL with the points.

Division Two’s top game saw the top two share the points. After a goalless first half, when Mark Bryant headed second place Bulls Head in front it looked like they would complete the double over leaders Fairbank-Rhodes, but driven on by Danny Hope, this time Fairbank responded and Neil Boot grabbed a deserved share of the spoils.

The clash between the bottom two Junior Blades and Crookes & District also provided the same result. Matt Hudson put Crookes ahead in the first half when the Blades failed to clear a corner and only a terrific Dave Marrison save stopped them doubling it, but after the break the Blades were almost camped out in the Crookes half and although Nathan Ashforth did his best to stop them the pressure finally led to an equaliser for Adam Caywood. It was the hundredth goal that Crookes have conceded this season, but they will console themselves with a first point away from home.

The two sides just above the Blades at the start of the day also met, but there was no draw this time as Highfield Old Crown recorded their second successive 3-0 win away from home at Chapeltown RBL. Shaun Warhurst and Gary Wilkins strikes put Highfield in control before sub Marcus Doyle made the points safe and help his side climb a place towards safety.

Ben Lee set Ryan Jones up to give The Park the lead at home to Old Harrow and it looked like they would keep that lead til half time, but Martin Shaw and Jordan Broadbent strikes in the last two minutes of the half put Old Harrow in front. Joe Bilby increased their lead soon after the break, but The Park grabbed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty and although Lee’s spot kick was saved by the keeper, Lee followed up to push home the rebound.

Old Harrow hit back to restore their two goal advantage with a Pat Lynch goal, but a second penalty, this time put expertly away by Lee, put The Park back into the game and Old Harrow had to settle for a fourth draw in fives games after an Adam Bellamy strike levelled things up.

9 Feb - Macron Cup - Macron Cup semi final and Final dates -  The Macron Cup semi finals are scheduled for Sunday 27 March at the HSBC Sports Ground, Dore and both kick off at 11:00. The Final is scheduled for Friday 6 May at Bramall Lane, kick off at 7:30.

9 Feb - Blades Legends to return for Karl -  Sheffield United have formed a Legends team to play in selected charity games and have chosen Karl Darby as the first beneficiary for the inaugural game against an All-Star team from BBC Radio Sheffield on February 20 at the BT Local Stadium, home of Sheffield FC with a 2.00pm kick off. Entry is at the turnstiles on the day with admission priced at £3 (adult) and £1 (concession).

Karl, 44, suffers from Myoclonic Epilepsy and is confined to a wheelchair. For the past decade he has lived in the Leonard Cheshire home on Mickley Lane, Totley, as he cannot stay with his parents because of steep stairs on the approach to their house.

Classic Lifts, Sheffield United lifts supplier, have kindly offered to provide a stair lift to Karl to enable him to move back home with his parents. However funds are needed to complete the required building work around the property before a lift can be fitted.

Dave McCarthy, head of operations at Sheffield United, said: “Karl is a die hard “Blade” who attends every United home match, as well as many away matches with his Dad Roy. Sheffield United would like to be able to raise enough money to assist with the building part of the project and help Karl achieve his ambition to move back home.

Andrew Emsley of Classic Lifts added: “I think this is a great cause and we are delighted to offer our support. It’s fantastic to see Sheffield United have taken on the campaign and help raise awareness. I have a number of business contacts locally and in particular within the construction industry, but we hope more companies will get in touch to offer their assistance. I feel we could achieve a Challenge Aneka type event where local suppliers contribute to the development and coupled with the funds raised from the legends game, hopefully we can have Karl back home in no time.”

The ex-Blades who have all agreed to become the first players to join the club’s new Legends team and are set to pull back on the famous red and white stripes again in aid of charity include Bob Booker (pictured top left), Craig Short, Georges Santos (pictured right), Paul Beesley, Carl Bradshaw, Paul Shaw, Peter Duffield, Jeff Eckhardt, Tony Agana, Chris Short, Adrian Littlejohn, Mark Todd and Tony Philliskirk.

Radio Sheffield XI will include former Owls defender Mark Smith, Doncaster Rovers goalkeeping coach Lee Butler and Blades legend Keith Edwards (pictured top right). Also in the team will be actors Junade Khan (Ash Roy from Hollyoaks) (pictured left) William Snape (Nathan in Full Monty), Lee Otway (Bombhead from Hollyoaks) and local Boxer Johnny Nelson.

9 Feb - Ash & Senior lead the charts -  Bulls Head's Nick Ash and Ecclesfield 147 Players Lounge's Craig Senior both lead the goal scoring charts with 19 League goals each. They are closely followed by Fairbank-Rhodes front two of Scott Whittington and Joe Knight, who have 17 & 16 respectively.

6 Feb - Macron Cup - All games postponed - MORE FIXTURE CHANGES -  All the Macron Cup ties fell to the heavy rains. They have now bee re-arranged for the following dates: 13 Feb: Oughtibridge Village v Handsworth WMC; Stocksbridge Park Steels v Handsworth Old Boys 20 Feb: Hemsworth Villa v Civil Service. These have led to several league games being postponed or re-arranged - all the clubs concerned have been notified, but the revised fixtures are now shown in Fixtures for both those dates.

6 Feb - CBC Premier - Angel are put in the Stocks -  Two goals from Leon Stocks (pictured left) helped Pitsmoor Royal Oak beat Woodhouse Angel in the only CBC Premier game to beat the weather.

In the CBC Premier game to beat the weather, two goals from Leon Stocks helped Pitsmoor Royal Oak beat Woodhouse Angel and take a major step towards safety. Oak almost took the lead in the first minute when Gavin Davis shot narrowly wide, but Angel responded and it needed a terrific save by Ryan Graves to stp them taking the lead. The breakthrough came Oak’s way when Stocks showed great technique when he brought the ball down before calmly beating the keeper.

Pitsmoor’s lead was soon doubled when another chance fell Davis’s way and this time his left foot shot found the net. Two became three when Sean Doncaster marked his debut with a goal. Luke Parwana carved the Angel defence open and Gavin Davis fired in the shot that the keeper could only parry and Doncaster was on hand to tidy up.

After the break, Angel were given a lifeline back into the game when the referee awarded them a penalty and Gareth Simons scored from the spot and Oak shot themselves in the foot again when Delroy Elliott inexplicably headed the ball past his own keeper without an Angel attacker in sight. Oak gathered themselves and after both Stocks and Elijah Lewis had both gone close, they restored their two goal advantage when Stocks again showed great control to take the ball in his stride before beating a couple of defenders and the keeper.

Division 1 - Southey blast their way to the top -  John Mellor (pictured right) hit yet another hat-trick and was one of six different scorers as Southey Social went top of the Division One by blasting the Millhouses Thermolast side that was above them at the start of the day. Redmires kept their perfect league record with victory at Anston Athletic, while The Vine maintained their challenge with a narrow victory over Rivelin

On a weekend when the heavy rain again caused the postponement of many games, Concord Park’s all weather surface made sure the battle for the top of Division One went ahead and it saw John Mellor hit his second hat-trick of the season to help Southey Social take top spot away from visitors Millhouses Thermolast with an astonishing eleven goal blast.

Southey were quickest to settle to the difficult conditions and soon went ahead when Nicky Danks swept the ball home and midway through the first half, Rob Womack was put through to chip the keeper to double their lead. Just a minute later though Millhouses looked to be back in the game when Rob Gardiner threaded the ball through for Danny Stuart to reduce the arrears.

Millhouses joy didn’t last long though. With Danny Lindley repeatedly tearing their defence apart, Southey scored five more in the last fifteen minutes of the first half. Mellor struck his first, followed by Danks’s second. A ten pass move gave Mellor the opening for his second, while Southey’s sixth came when a corner was headed home by Lee Wilson and Wilson made it a magnificent seven for Southey in the first half with his second.

There was no respite for Millhouses in the second half as a Vahn Burgess cross was turned into his own net by a bemused defender, before Chris Roberts finally got his name on the scoresheet to make it nine. Roberts then took Southey’s tally into double figures, before Mellor completed his hat-trick to make it eleven.

Millhouses did their best under the circumstances, but their luck was really out with four efforts that came back off the woodwork until a move between Adam Sturch and Rob Gardiner was finished off by Danny Turner. It was little comfort to Millhouses though as they suffered their heaviest ever defeat, while Southey, who have now won seven out of seven, gave a clear statement that they intend to take the title.

Southey’s main challenge now looks set to come from the Taylor & Emmet Sunday Junior Cup semi finalists Redmires, who made it five wins out of five with victory at Anston Athletic. It took Redmires just five minutes to get their noses in front when Anston gave the ball away in midfield and Andy Birks was set up for the type of chance he rarely misses.

With man of the match James OConnell (pictured left) pulling the strings, Redmires had more chances in the first half, but two were cleared off the line and one came back off the bar, but Anston missed the best chance of the lot when they were awarded a penalty. Simon Herberts took the spot kick, but Redmires keeper Karl Taylor pulled off a terrific save to deny him. Both sides had chances in the second half, but it was Redmires that wrapped the points up when Ben Palmer beat the keeper at the near post.

The Vine maintained their challenge when they came from behind to gain a narrow home victory over Rivelin. Matt Law gave Rivelin a first half lead, but soon after the break Shaun Blythe set leading scorer Rikki Davidson up for the equaliser. Although Rivelin also had some chances of their own, The Vine also looked likely to score and they took the three points when Blythe headed home Brent Healey’s corner.

Division 2 - All games postponed -  The weather put paid to all games in Division Two.