31 Oct - CBC Premier - Glaves back to stun Stannington -  Veteran striker Lee Glaves (pictured left) was persuaded to return to Woodhouse West End and manager Bill Fuller’s faith in him gained a quick reward as Galves hit the late winner against old rivals Stannington Village to gain revenge for a similar defeat by Village in the Sunday Cup. West End had hit the bar in both halves, but both attacks found it hard to create anything clear cut. West End had the better of things in the second half, but as the game entered it’s last few minutes it needed a brilliant save by John Badkin to stop Village pinching it and West End went straight down to the other end to force a corner which Dave Kippax headed on to the edge of the area where Glaves chested the ball down before hit a stunning volley in off the underside of the bar.

The CBC Premier Division's last perfect record ended when Hemsworth Villa's Nick Owen completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the final minute after three Scott Birch strikes looked to have won it for Yew Tree. Phil Cookson’s pass allowed Birch to put Yew Tree ahead (pictured far left below), but a mix up between their keeper and defender allowed Owen to nip in and grab his first to make it all square at the break.

A Steve Jones foul allowed Birch to restore Tree’s lead from the penalty spot (second left) and when Ryan Cockayne set Birch up to smash home his hat-trick (third left) it looked as if Tree’s perfect record would continue, but when a Steve Jones’ volley fell to Owen he pulled one back and in the final minute, Mark Hopkinson was brought down in the area and Owen rescued a point for Villa and ended Tree’s record. More pictures from the game are below:

Leaders Ecclesfield 147 Players Lounge were held to a goalless draw by third place Civil Service. The first half saw Service’s Chris Fowler headed straight at 147 keeper while 147’s Craig Senior saw the best chance saved, but in the second half Service, with Oliver Glaves and Tom Stubbs outstanding, began to boss things and they hit the post twice and had a penalty shout turned down. Service began to run out of steam though and Ben Hill went close to winning it for 147, but victory for them would have been harsh on Service.

Stocksbridge Park Steels took full advantage to move within a point of the leaders with victory over Pitsmoor Royal Oak. A mistake by the Steels keeper allowed Oak skipper Leon Stocks to poke Oak into the lead, but Mark Garrett grabbed an equaliser and Mitchell Savage put Steels ahead by the break. Kevin Davies increased their lead in the second half, but Oak pulled one back when Scott Szpajer crossed for Stocks to head his second. Oak then had one disallowed and a penalty appeal waved away, Oak keeper Lee Chesters was even busier at the other end and John Ward headed a clincher to deservedly make the points save for Steels.

Ranch remain in trouble after a third home defeat to Handsworth WMC. The visitors started the stronger and Robert Pratt Pictured right) hit the bar and Liam Simmonite put a chance just wide, so it was no surprise when Simmonite opened the scoring after James Leesley beat two men and crossed to him. Dale Moore had a shot saved, but a mistake by Lee Dolan allowed Oliver Whittaker to flick on for Tom Hartley to level for Ranch before half time. Simmonite had two more efforts saved, but just when it looked like Ranch would hold on for a point, man of the match Robert Pratt’s free kick allowed Carl Eaton to head a winner for Handsworth.

Woodhouse Angel gave themselves some breathing space with victory over visitors Laycock Sports. The visitors took the lead when good work by Brett Douglas was finished off by Sam Read, but Angel levelled when a Gareth Simons corner was headed home by Chris Towey. Both sides had chances after the break, with Gareth West putting in a great shift for Laycock’s, but his work ended in vain when Kirk Briddon finished off a great solo run with Angel’s winner.

Division 1 - Brinsworth close on leaders, while Aston break duck -  Brinsworth Whitehill are just a point behind the leaders after coming from behind to beat Loxley. After Danny Marsden was brought down in the area he picked himself up to put Brinsworth ahead, but Geoff Mayfield headed a corner home to level before the break and Nick Carding marked his first start for Loxley by giving them the lead from Josh Delaney’s cross. Loxley were having the better of things at this stage, but Brinsworth rode their luck and levelled through Kyle Henshaw before taking a fortunate three points when Shaun Turner lashed home a corner.

After trailing at half time, Malthouse produced a stunning second half to beat Anston Athletic and jump five places up to third. Simon Herberts finished off a good move to give Anston their lead and they had other good chances in the first half, but after a handball allowed Karl Fox to equalise from the penalty spot soon after the break, Malthouse took the initiative and Fox quickly put them ahead. Matt Meaney then dribbled his way from the corner flag to increase their lead and Neil Whitworth added a fourth from a Fox corner to make sure.

Aston Swallownest finally broke their duck with victory at Rivelin. Josh Batham unselfishly set up Ryan Hall to find the bottom corner to give Aston a lead the held at half time, but a James Cherry header from a corner levelled for Rivelin and it looked like they might go on to win it. The Aston keeper managed to deal with everything thrown at him though and his work was rewarded when Scott MacCormack drilled a free kick into the top corner for Aston’s winner.

The Division’s game of the day between Redmires and The Vine unfortunately ended without a result. The game was goalless after eighty minutes an accidental clash of heads left a Redmires player out cold and the game was abandoned after a call for an ambulance. Fortunately the player came round later, but was being monitored at hospital for any reaction.

Division 2 - Bulls Head hit back to leave Oak stumped -  Bulls Head's unbeaten record in Division Two looked certain to go when they found themselves two down with an hour gone against Royal Oak, but they hit back to win it with three set pieces. Owen Clark gave Oak the lead in the first half and ten minutes after the interval Paul Turner doubled their lead, but Lee Smith headed one back soon after before Kerry Dixon levelled with another header. Both sides went for the win and it went Bulls way when another set piece was headed down and Smith tapped home his second.

Leaders Fairbank-Rhodes had no such problems at Old Blue Ball. Scott Whittington rounded the keeper to give Fairbank the lead, only for Reece McLandless to cancel it out sixty seconds later. Whittington restored Fairbank’s lead in the second half and Joe Knight kept his hot streak going with their third. Hilton Stratford-Smith netted a fourth and although Ball keeper scored with a late penalty, the result was never in doubt by then.

Oughtibridge Village kept their promotion bid going by finally seeing off a dogged Highfield Old Crown. James baker’s fourth in as many games gave Village a first half lead, but just after the break Gary Wilkins cancelled it out. James Mace put Village back in front only for Ashley Hughes to cancel it out, but when Strachan Sampson hit two screamers from thirty yards there was no way back for Crown and Village finished off the the scoring when Kyle Tales added their fifth.

After three promising performances, Chapeltown RBL were brought back down to earth by Throstles best performance of the season. Oliver West hit three and James Stone, Nick Wells, Liam Bonnick, Mark Grayson and Nick Curtis took Throstles tally to eight without reply.

After Crookes & District had won for the first time the week before, they were hoping it was a sign of better things and a decent first half saw Chris Cottyn keep them in the game despite three from a very good Niagara side, but Niagara stepped up a gear after the break to keep their perfect record going with a further nine goals. There were hat tricks for both Tom Staniforth and sub Paul Cadman and Danny Bainbridge grabbed two. Simon Staniforth, Daniel Cooper, Dean Constable and James Shepherd also put their names on the scoresheet.

Macron Cup - Handsworth quick off the mark to cut down Blades -  Tom Houghton scored after just 15 seconds to give Handsworth Old Boys the lead against Junior Blades and they never looked back to send the Blades packing. Scott Naseby added Handsworth’s second after just seven minutes and although Adam Caywood pulled one back after the break, Handsworth made certain of a place in the next round with further goals from Greg Burgin and Naseby’s second.

26 Oct - November fixture changes -  Two revised Division Two fixtures are:  7 Nov - Highfield Old Crown v Junior Blades; 21 Nov - Throstles v Bulls Head. The three published Division One fixtures on 21 Nov featuring Redmires, Southey Social and The Vine will now have to be postponed as they will all have Sunday Cup ties that day, but if Millhouses Thermolast can get a pitch for that day they could play a home game against Rivelin - watch this space.

26 Oct - Macron Cup Round 3 Draw - With the help of Jack Hands and Elliot Bryan from the Afrikit Project, the Macron Cup draw was made at Bramall Lane last night and it saw the holders Yew Tree drawn away at fellow CBC Premier side Woodhouse Angel. Another plum tie was another all-CBC Premier tie featuring Hemsworth Villa at home to Civil Service. The only Division Two side definitely through to Round 3 is Oughtibridge Village and they were rewarded with a home tie against CBC Premier Handsworth WMC. The full draw is: Hemsworth Villa v Civil Service; Laycock Sports or The Park v Southey Social; Oughtibridge Village v Handsworth WMC; Ranch v Loxley or Woodhouse West End; Redmires v Anston Athletic or Millhouses Thermolast; Stannington Village or Stocksbridge PS v Handsworth OB or Junior Blades; The Vine v Pitsmoor Royal Oak; Woodhouse Angel v Yew Tree. Games to be played on Sunday 5 Dec - all the home teams should ensure they book their pitch immediately.

26 Oct - Yew Tree support Afrikit Project - Yew Tree became the first Blades Super Draw League side to support the Afrikit Project by donating one of their old kits to it. Pictured left with the kit is Yew Tree secretary Dave Brearley, with Afrikits Elliot Bryan (left) and Jack Hands (right). If any other clubs want to donated any kit, the Project will arrange to collect or the club can drop them off at Decathlon in Sheffield. Individual shirts, shorts or socks can also be donated - it doesn't have to be a full kit. More detail of the Project can be found lower down this page.

24 Oct - Sunday Junior Cup - Danny Boy is red rag to Bull, while Niagara thank great Scott -  Two Danny Lindley (pictured left) strikes helped Southey Social win a top quality all-Blades Super Draw clash with Bulls Head and a late diving header by Scott Wostenholme saw Niagara win a nine goal thriller at Anstonians, while four Dave Knaggs goal helped Redmires through. A Jamie Moore double saw The Vine win in extra time, while Junior Blades won a penalty shoot out to beat Breakers.

Five of our teams made progress to the last thirty two of the Taylor & Emmet Sunday Junior Cup with the best of the ties seeing two Danny Lindley strikes help Southey Social win a top quality all-Blades Super Draw clash with Bulls Head. Division Two Bulls Head quickly showed they were not overawed by their Division One opponents and had it not been for a string of saves by Andy Guest in the Southey goal they would have been in front, but Lindley was always dangerous on the break and he broke the deadlock with a trademark finish.

Simon Jepson set up John Mellor to double Southey’s lead before the break, but Bull came raging out for the second half and after Lee Smith’s scuffed shot had reduced the arrears, their man of the match Joe Keighley drew them level. It could have gone either way at that point, but it was Southey who edged their way back in front through ace marksman Chris Roberts and they clinched it with Lindley’s second of the game.

Niagara were gifted the lead at Anstonians when the home side gave away a needless penalty, expertly tucked away by Danny Bainbridge and a well worked move saw Daniel Cooper double their lead. The home side pulled one back before the break and forced Niagara into some desperate defending, until Bainbridge hit them on the break for his second.

Anstonians didn’t lie down though and helped by an own goal Ben Dronfield will have nightmares about, they fought back to level and force the game into extra time. Dean Constable put Niagara back in front only to see it cancelled out again, but a late diving header by Scott Wostenholme saw Niagara finally go through.

Four Dave Knaggs goals and one each for Liam Clark and Andy Birks saw Redmires go comfortably through against Wordswoth, but there was a lot more drama at Sun Inn Monk Bretton where The Vine needed extra time to finally make it. Danny Seaman’s early strike was cancelled out before the break and The Vine looked to be on their way out when Sun Inn took a lead they held going into the final minute of the game, but Brent Heeley popped up to give The Vine a lifeline and take it into extra time. It seemed to knock the stuffing out of their hosts and after Will Blakeney headed The Vine back in front, a Jamie Moore double saw them into the hat for the next round

Junior Blades progress was even more dramatic with a penalty shoot-out that went to sudden death before they finally went through against Breakers. Jake Schofield’s cross eluded everyone including the Breakers keeper to give the Blades the lead and after it was cancelled out by the visitors, Adam Caywood blasted home to give the Blades the lead for a second time. Breakers leveled again to send the game into extra time and after neither side could break the deadlock it went to penalties. Both sides had one saved in their first five, but after the visitors hit the post with their first sudden death penalty, James Allen stepped up to coolly slot home the winner.

Throstles looked as if they would also go through when they led a ten man Sprotbrough with a James Stone penalty and a Mark Sambrook tap in after the keeper had spilled the ball, but their visitors showed real spirit and hit back to win.

Sunday Senior Cup - Yew Tree and Villa go close but all three go out -  Despite Mark Dobbs (pictured left beating two defenders) giving Yew Tree a lead against Hackenthorpe they held until the last couple of minutes, Yew Tree went out in extra time, while Hemsworth Villa fell to a single goal by North Gawber Colliery (pictured left), while Stannington Village went out to AFP.

A Mark Dobbs goal saw Yew Tree lead Hackenthorpe and a string of James Marks' saves looked likely to win it, but the visitors equalised in the last couple of minutes and won it in extra time. Pictured left is one of Marks' saves.

After having a Mark Hopkinson goal disallowed for a borderline offside decision, Hemsworth Villa lost out to the games only goal when keeper Shayne Bennett couldn’t hold onto a shot and the loose ball was tucked home by the North Gawber Colliery striker. Pictured from left to right below is Scott Preece hitting a post and a bobble denying Ashley Emson, while Luke Walker had a shot saved and Luke Marshall saw his shot tipped over, but it wasn't to be for Villa.

Stannington Village’s exit was nothing like as close against last year’s finalist AFP and although John Grayson hit one goal they went out 5-1.

CBC Premier - Read all about - Laycocks thrash Ranch -  Sam Read (pictured left) hit five as Laycock Sports thrashed Ranch 9-1, while Ecclesfield 147 stay top after just holding on against Woodhouse Angel. Stocksbridge Park Steels title challenge gathered pace as two Nick Ward strikes helped them to victory at Handsworth WMC, but champions Woodhouse West End fell further behind the leaders after letting a two goal lead slip to draw with Pitsmoor Royal Oak.

Sam Read hit five as Laycock Sports thrashed Ranch 9-1 to maintain their unbeaten home record. Lloyd McPherson started the rout off and Read doubled it before half time. Ranch’s cause wasn’t helped when they lost their keeper to injury and the goals started to fly in at regular intervals, with Gareth West, Brett Douglas and Steve Morris joining Read to the second half spree. Ranch’s only consolation came from a Chris Wajs penalty.

After building a four goal lead through Danny Touhey and a Craig Senior hat-trick, CBC Premier leaders Ecclesfield 147 were given a real scare as Woodhouse Angel hit back through Chris Towey, Dave Thompson and Gareth Simons and had it not been for some terrific saves by keeper Frazer Hartley, Angel would have certainly taken at least a share of the spoils.

Stocksbridge Park Steels title challenge gathered pace with victory at Handsworth WMC. Chris Brook put them ahead after fifteen minutes and two Nick Ward strikes before half time had the game as good as won. Handsworth changed their formation at the start of the second half and both Danny Leesley and Liam Simmonite had shots saved, but they couldn’t break down a determined Stocksbridge defence.

Champions Woodhouse West End fell further behind the leaders after letting a two goal lead slip to draw with Pitsmoor Royal Oak. Things look good when Spencer Taylor and Dave Kippax goals had West End two up after little more than ten minutes, but Oak started to defend better and after the break began to push their hosts back. They pulled one back when Leon Stocks forced the ball home when a corner wasn’t cleared and he then turned provider for Scott Szpajer to level and earn his side a deserved point.

Division 1 - Loxley hold leaders, while a Marsden double helps lift Brinsworth to second -  Leaders Millhouses Thermolast had an own goal to thank to rescue a point at Loxley, while Danny Marsden scored twice as Brinsworth Whitehill won at Aston Swallownest to go second. Rivelin continued their good away form with victory at Anston Athletic, while a Karl Fox (pictured left) treble helped Malthouse to a first home win of the season against Handsworth Old Boys.

Division One leaders Millhouses Thermolast travelled to a Loxley side they had beaten 5-1 the week before, but they found their hosts in much better form this week and it was very much against the run of play when Ally Berry rounded the keeper to put Millhouses ahead. Loxley continued to dominate though and grabbed a deserved equaliser before the break when Lee Struggles finished off Simon Mirfin’s run and cross. The second half saw Loxley go in front when full back Steve Mayfield gambled on reaching a long ball and scored, but Millhouses finally shook themselves and rescued a point when a defender turned the ball into his own net trying to stop an almost certain goal by two onrushing Millhouses strikers.

Ryan Stevenson gave Brinsworth Whitehill a first half lead at Aston Swallownest and the lead was doubled in the second half when Aaron Turner started and finished the best move of the game. Aston had their chances, but couldn’t take them and Danny Marsden struck two more for Brinsworth to show them how it’s done and lift them up to second and their highest ever placing.

Although Ollie Pickering and Paul Ashall strikes were cancelled out by Anston Athletics Simon Herberts and a Ben Sergeant free kick, Rivelin weren’t to be denied and further goals from Josh Bermingham and Josh Wright saw them continue their good away form. A Karl Fox treble and further goals from Matt Meaney, Paul Smith and Nick Glover had Malthouse six goals in front before visitors Handsworth Old Boys staged a late rally to half the deficit through Ryan Varns, Tom Houghton and Scott Naseby, although it wasn’t enough to deny Malthouse of a first home win of the season.

Division 2 - Crookes bounce Ball to end dismal run, while Knight treble see Fairbank extend lead -  Crookes & District's dismal start to the season came to en end as two Sam Firth goals helped them win a nine goal thriller with Old Blue Ball, while a Joe Knight (pictured right) treble helped Fairbank-Rhodes to victory over Oughtibridge Village and extend their lead at the top. Chapeltown RBL won a second successive away game at Highfield Old Crown, while a Ricky Green strike earned The Park a point at Old Harrow.

After already conceding more than fifty goals and scoring just three, Crookes & District must have feared the worst when Matt Sides and Michael Thompson gave Old Blue Ball a two goal lead before half time, but for once Crookes didn’t let their heads drop and they hit back to level with two in as many minutes from Sam Firth and Nathan Ashforth.

Damien Chapman then put Ball back in front, but Crookes fought back to level again with a Chris Cottyn header before taking the lead with Firth’s second. Carl Stinchcombe then added a fifth before Josh Jones pulled one back for Ball, but Crookes held on for their first points of the season and bring their dismal start to the season to an end.

Joe Knight gave leaders Fairbank-Rhodes a first half lead against Oughtibridge Village and after the visitors squandered a number of chances to level, Scvott Wittington hit a second for Fairbank before Kinight grabbed two more to complete his hat-trick. James Baker finally did pull one back for the visitors, but the game was over long before then.

Spurred on by a terrific performance from Jamie Duckworth, Chapeltown RBL won a second successive away game at Highfield Old Crown thanks to a Joe Maples header and a first of the season from Simon Blantern. It was an improved performance by Crown though and they pulled one back through Robert Bidwell. Richard Ashton gave Old Harrow a third minute lead at home to The Park but it was cancelled out by a Ricky Green strike ten minutes later and that was how it stayed.

12 Oct - League Dinner on 8 Nov -  We now need to give the organisers a better idea of the total numbers of people that will be attending the League Dinner on 8 Nov, so, if you haven't let Mike Stylianou know how many tickets you want alraedy, will club secretaries or managers please contact Mike Stylianou to say whether or not you want any tickets and if you do, how many. If you do want tickets, you can pay for them at the League Meeting on 25 October - tickets are just £25 each. Mike's email address is mike.stylianou.hotmail.co.uk - please contact him by 19 Oct. An order form is available on the Latest News page.

11 Oct - Chapeltown RBL temporary contact details -  From 13 Oct - 6 Nov, both the normal contacts for Chapeltown RBL will not be available, so during that period, opponents should contact Simon Blantern (simon@hi-pointscaffolding.co.uk, Tel 07889312440)

3 Oct - Macron Cup - Southey hit 147 for six, while the holders Yew Tree just scrape through -  John Mellor & Chris Roberts (pictured left) doubles helped Southey Social cause a real shock by sending CBC Premier leaders, and firmer holders, Ecclesfield 147 spinning out of the Macron Cup, but current holders Yew Tree just scraped through a seven goal thriller with Division Two Bulls Head. There were no shocks elsewhere, but the outstanding individual performances came from Pitsmoor Royal Oak's Gavin Davis (pictured right), who hit six, and Woodhouse Angel's Adam Dickinson who hit four, while his team mate Gareth Simons hit three, as did Handsworth WMC's Kieran Gallagher. The down side of the day was that five games were postponed due to the weather - these will be rearranged by the League at a later date - clubs will be advised.

A depleted Ecclesfield 147 side were well beaten, but things may have been different if Craig Senior hadn’t missed an early penalty. Southey raced into a 4-0 lead at half time courtesy of two each from John Mellor and Chris Roberts. After the break Danny Lindley and Robert Womack added to the score with Jason Reeves and Ryan Keeney scoring for Ecclesfield. 

Woodhouse Angel had an easy passage into the next round against Division Two Highfield Old Crown, when goals from Adam Dickinson (4), Gareth Simmons (3), Tom Goodall (2), Chris Towey, Kirk Briddon and two own goals made it a day to forget for Highfield and CBC Premier leaders Civil Service kept up their good form, beating Division One Brinsworth Whitehill 5-1.  Brinsworth’s Shaun Turner gave his side hope as he equalised skipper Ben Brown’s header for Service, but Brinsworth, without their regular keeper, faded badly in the second half and another goal from Brown and others from Lee Wild, Barry Durrans and an own goal saw Service comfortably through.

It was not so easy for cup holders Yew Tree who were made to battle hard to overcome Division Two Bull’s Head. A real shock look on the cards at half time as Bull were leading 3-1 courtesy of goals from John Marples, a clever chip from Alan Mowthorpe and a Nick Ash shot from the edge of the box. Phil Cookson replied with a 30 yard curler and as the second half progressed, Yew Tree got stronger and a Ryan Cockayne strike together with two goals from Scott Birch (pictured right), saw the holders just scrape through.

Third Division leaders Fairbanks Rhodes and CBC Premier newcomers Ranch fought out a close battle, but it was the CBC Premier side who prevailed winning 1-0, but, with Kieran Gallagher again their star with a hat-trick, Handsworth WMC ran out easy winners against the newly named Malthouse.  Robert Pratt set the ball rolling for Handsworth when he ran onto a through ball and Tom Crosby hit a great second from the edge of the box to put Handsworth two up.  An in-swinging corner from Pratt evaded the keeper for number three and Danny Leesley hit their fourth, while Karl Fox pulled one back for Malthouse.  A couple of solo efforts from Gallagher completed his hat-trick, while a James Leesley strike took the home side's tally to six, although new signing Matthew Meaney did get one back for the well beaten Malthouse.

Previous winners Hemsworth Villa began their challenge with a comfortable win over first Division Rivelin.  A cross from Ian Holmes was despatched into the net by leading scorer Nick Owen and Owen turned provider with a cross that was converted by Scott Preece.  Russell Westby scored direct from a corner to make it 3-0 at half time and in the second half the tricky James Cooke added Villa's fourth.

The Vine made their way to the next round with an away win at Niagara, but they were made to fight hard by the Division Two side. Craig Woolley opened the scoring when converting a cross from Jack Hefferlan and Woolley added a second when he nodded in a corner.  A penalty converted by Simon Staniforth raised Niagara’s hopes of a fight back but ace striker Ricky Davidson scored almost immediately to seal Vine's win.

Pitsmoor Royal Oak were drawn against league newcomers Chapeltown RBL and came out easy 9-2 winners with Gavin Davis hitting six of them. Oak's others came from Craig Graham, Luke Parwana and a special goal from Elijah Lewis who beat four players in a dribble from the half way line. In the other cup game Royal Oak and Oughtibridge Village were deadlocked at 3-3 after 90 minutes and a goal a piece in extra time meant the match went into penalties, which Village won 4-2.  Pick of Oughtibridge’s goals were a Paul Hawksworth screamer from thirty yards with additions from debutant James Baker (pictured signing on the dotted line for manager David Hudson), Strachan Sampson and Danny Hill.  The match was superbly refereed by Steve Wilman (pictured right).

Division 2 - Old Blue Ball thump Crookes, while Throstles are held by Old Harrow -  Old Blue Ball beat Crookes & District 7-0, while Throstles were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Old Harrow. Jordan Brand's great twenty five yard free kick gave Old Harrow the lead at Throstles, but it was cancelled out when Nick Curtis (pictured left) scored after latching onto a long ball from Oliver West.  In the other game Crookes and District's defence continued to struggle despite the best efforts of Ben Hall, Chris Cottyn and Ryan Mills. Old Blue Ball rammed in seven goals without reply from Reece McAndless (2), Matthew Sides (2), a penalty from goalkeeper Dan Smith, Zak Crownshaw and an own goal.