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All the reports for March are shown below. See News Index for other months

 
 
 

31 Mar - CBC PREMIER - Ecclesfield get Turfed out of title race - Handsworth Turf boosted their survival hopes as Chisanga Nshindano (left) set them on their way to victory over an Ecclesfield Players Lounge that is now out of the title race. The other games were postponed.

FC Handsworth Turf went into their crucial game with Ecclesfield Players Lounge needing the points to pull away from the relegation zone, while their visitors needed a victory to stay in the Blades Super Draw CBC Premier title race. Ecclesfield weren’t at full strength, while Turf went into the game with injury problems and had to shuffle their pack. Centre forward Joe France played in a unfamiliar left back role and captain Andy Stevens played in a right back role for the first time, which meant that the Turf veteran has now played in every position for the club.

In the first couple of minutes Craig Senior skinned his man in the corner and pulled the ball back to Gav Hunter who’s shot was saved. The influential Dale Hirst then beat his man, but shot wide from edge of box and Hirst again got away down right and after beating his man on the by-line he pulled the ball back to Tom Barthelomew who shot just wide from inside the penalty area.

Turf came into the game more and forced a number of corners and free kicks taken by Stevens which was putting the Eccelsfield keeper Chris Greenwood under all sorts of pressure, and he was called into action to make great saves from Matt Jackson and Ben Shackshaft. The pressure eventually told and Turf took the lead when a dangerous free kick from Stevens (right) found Chisanga Nshindano in space and although the Greenwood got a hand to ‘Tangy’s’ shot, it crept over the line. A minute later Turf got their second goal after great work by ‘Tangy’ on the by-line and his trickery saw him tease the defender and get away to cross for Ben Shackshaft to side foot home.

Ecclesfield rallied and Mitchell Robinson burst through, only to shoot wide, but just before half time Hirst volleyed into the top corner to get one back. Almost straight away though Handsworth restored their two goal lead when yet another dangerous corner by Stevens got the slightest flick on by Sam Atkin to score his first goal for the club.

Handsworth thought they had scored a fourth when Matt Jackson’s corner was forced home by Atkin, but the referee gave a foul on the keeper and after that Eccelsfield had their best spell. Jamie King in the Turf goal had to show why he is one of the best keepers around with three great saves and Mark Barnsley was superb at the heart of the Handsworth defence, but Ecclesfield also missed a hatful of chances. Senior twice had shots scrambled off the line and Joe Knight had a penalty appeal turned down.

After a scramble in goalmouth ball was cleared off the line and when Hunter crashed a shot against the bar it bounced down it was scrambled out to Matt Clarke, but he shot over. Sub Paul Bashforth (left) then had two half chances he should have done better with. After advancing from his own half it opened up and Bashforth got to edge of box, but his shot went harmlessly wide and minutes later he found himself on edge of box from a layoff and again pushed his shot wide of same post.

As Ecclesfield pushed yet more men forward, they were inevitably caught on the break and yet another great cross from Stevens saw a great lobbed finish by former Wednesday academy player Tom Smith, his first goal back playing after being out of the game for over a year due to a serious road accident. Ecclesfield rallied for final time and Craig Senior finally netted. Barthelomew then had a headed cleared off the line and when Keeney played Hunter in down the channel his shot was also cleared off the line by Andy Stevens, so the points went Handsworth’s way.

FC Handsworth Turf: 1 Jamie King, 2 Mark Barnsley, 3 Andy Stevens (captain), 4 Joe France, 5 Sam Atkin, 6 Carl Eaton, 7 Frazer McNeil, 8 Ben Shackshaft, 9  Chisanga Nshindano, 10 Matt Jackson, 11 Tom Smith Subs: 12 Jimmy Hughes, 14 Luke Hughes, 15 Carl Bowler, 16 Adam Johnson

Ecclesfield Players Lounge: 1 Chris Greenwood, 2 Danny Hope, 3 Matt Clarke, 4 Mark Groves, 5 Ryan Keeney, 6 Andy Baxter, 7 Tom Bartholomew, 8 Mitchell Robinson, 9 Craig Senior, 10 Gav Hunter, 11 Dale Hirst Subs: 12 Kieron Webb, 14 Joe Knight, 15 Paul Bashforth

Referee: Steve Wilman

DIV 1 - Top two in charge, but The Park foiled by Ranch hands - In Division One, Matt Parks was the star as leaders Woodhouse Angel saw off Niagara. Although Parks was playing in an unfamiliar deeper role he still found his way forward to head Angel in front when Chris Towey headed the ball across for him, but Niagara levelled when the unmarked Craig Foster also headed home. Angel re-took the lead when Brendan Burns was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area by referee Mark Bennett and Liam Parnell slotted home the penalty. Angel dominated the second half and Tom Goodall added a third before Kirk Briddon (left) scored a fourth with a great run and finish from the edge of the area.

Colley deserved some reward for clearing their pitch to ensure their home game with second place Handsworth Old Boys went ahead (pictured right), but it was Handsworth that went home with the points after coming from behind to win 5-2. Josh Connor opened the scoring for Colley, but Handsworth hit back with two Jack Hall goals and Dalton Kershaw added a third before half time. After the break Danny Franklin and Mario Esposito goals made it five before Colley grabbed a second through Myles Dempsey.

The Park’s promotion drive seems to have come off the rails after bottom club Ranch held them to a draw for the second game in succession. Ben Hartley beat the full back before crossing for his brother Tom Hartley to give Ranch the lead just before half time, but on the hour mark The Park levelled when Mark Townsend crossed for Jack Ridge to score. Townsend then gave The Park the lead when Ranch keeper Mark Broadhurst made his only mistake in an otherwise faultless performance, but Ranch hit back when Breon Fogarty’s corner was headed home by Oliver Whittaker and it might have been even worse for The Park had Ranch’s veteran Ian Cooper not missed an open goal in the final minute.

DIV 2 - Oaks hit by Dan's Command performance, while Loxley rescue a point -

After Norton Oaks and Loxley’s title rivals had all dropped points recently, they both had the chance to take the Division Two title race by the scruff of the neck, but just like their rivals both dropped points. Oaks came unstuck as two Dan Commander goals helped Phoenix come from behind to put beat them 3-2. It started well for Oaks with Sam Ireland heading them into the lead, but Phoenix’s Kieran Cull levelled before half time and they took control in the second half with those Commander strikes. Jamie Marshall pulled one back for Oaks, but they couldn’t force another.

Loxley did at least rescue a point as they came from two down to draw 3-3 with Miners Arms. A mix-up between the Loxley keeper and a defender gifted Mark Barraclough an open goal for him to put Miners in front, but Loxley levelled when Anthony Marshall (left) wriggled free and shot across the keeper and they might have gone into the break in front had Mick Smith’s shot gone in instead of hitting the bar.

Miners regained the lead after the break with a Dan Saif goal and when a good move left Paul Randall to add a third with just fifteen minutes remaining the game look all over, but Richard Dale scored a lifeline for Loxley and Steve Mayfield volleyed an equaliser. Loxley almost won it when Mayfield hit the bar and Dale headed over, but Miners also missed a good chance to win it.

 

24 Mar - All games postponed - All the Leagues games, including the League's Macron Cup semi finals scheduled for today at the HSBC Sports Ground have been postponed due to the heavy snow over the last few days. New dates for semi finals them will be published when they have been agreed.

17 Mar - CBC PREMIER - Dean at the double for Stannington, but Davis strike hits Bulls Head - A Dean Jepson double helped Stannington Village to victory over Redmires and go seven points clear as second place Bulls Head were held to a draw thanks to Gavin Davis's equaliser for Pitsmoor Royal Oak. Mitchell Savage and Scott Birch doubles saw Stocksbridge Park Steels to victory over Ecclesfield Players Lounge, while a Gaz Griffiths double helped Civil Service to victory at The Vine. Handsworth Turf climbed off the foot of the table with a Kieran Hemming inspired victory at a Southey Social that is now at the foot of the table.

Stannington Village look set to land their second CBC Premier title after a 4-1 victory over Redmires left them seven points clear at the top with just four games remaining. Redmires went into the game unbeaten in their last five and with the knowledge that had already beaten Stannington twice in the League and County Cup, but Stannington had been unbeaten for twelve games since the second of those defeats by Redmires and had surged to the top of the table.

The game’s first chance went Stannington’s way when Dean Jepson headed wide and it wasn’t too long before they got their noses in front. It took a mistake by the normally reliable Redmires keeper though when he spilled Adam Grainger’s shot and Jepson was quickest to the loose ball to tap home. Just a couple of minutes later Stannington doubled their lead when Grainger was brought down by Steve Vale in the area and Stannington skipper Lee Johnstone stepped up to send Taylor the wrong way.

It stayed like that until half time, but Redmires weren’t out of the game, with Hegel Noubissie causing Stannington problems in midfield and Mikey Taylor a willing runner up front, but they were finding Bill Green and John Saville in the centre of the Stannington defence such a hard nut to crack that Stannington keeper Nathan Ryan was relatively untroubled.

Joe Barker left) and Sean Flynn were beginning to cause the Redmires defence problems out wide and Stannington increased their lead when a swift move out of defence found Barker and his whipped in cross saw Jepson net his second of the game with an unstoppable header from twelve yards.

Redmires responded with their best spell of the game and they deservedly pulled a goal back when former Stannington player Jonathan Wall scored against his old club when he struck a terrific free kick into the top corner. Redmires continued to press, but once again the Stannington defence that had conceded just fifteen goals all season stood firm.

The points were eventually made safe when a Lee Johnston corner found Joe Barker at the back post and he made no mistake to leave the final score 4-1 to Stannington. That result together with the news that second place Bulls Head had been held to a 2-2 draw by Pitsmoor Royal Oak and third place Ecclesfield Players Lounge had been beaten 4-0 by Stocksbridge Park Steels means Stannington have to win just two of their last four games to land the title.

STANNINGTON VILLAGE

Nathan Ryan, John Alcock, Ben Cook, Bill Green, John Saville, Sean Flynn, Joe Barker, Luke Mitchell-Stanley, Adam Grainger, Lee Johnstone, Dean Jepson. Subs: Simon Smith, Rob Shelley, Dan Green, John Grayson, Tom Donlon.

REDMIRES

Karl Taylor, Steve Vale, Chris Cotterill, Dave Knaggs, James Kirkham, Nick Hickson, Ben Palmer, Hegel Noubissie, Jonathan Wall, Dan Bathie, Mikey Taylor. Subs: Sam Barthram, Jamie Jarvis

REFEREE: Dennis Williams

Second place Bulls Head lost ground after twice losing the lead they had to settle for a draw with relegation strugglers Pitsmoor Royal Oak. Bulls Head went in front when a quick break from defence saw a shot come back off the keeper for Nick Ash to tap home, but when Stacy Shariff was brought down on the edge of the area, Andy Dawson’s free kick was met by Luke Parwana to send the sides in level at the break.

Bulls Head re-took the lead after the break when a miss kick by Dwaine Wood was pounced on and Mark Bryant headed the ball into Chris Peel’s path for him to score. Pitsmoor hit back with Andy Dyson’s long throws were giving the home defence problems, and it was from one of them that James Thew flicked the ball on for Gavin Davis (right) to score their second equaliser. It might have been worse for the home side as Pitsmoor almost won it when Andy Dawson’s effort came back off a post.

Ecclesfield Players Lounge’s title chances are all but over after they went down 4-0 at Stocksbridge Park Steels. Michell Savage produced a sublime chip from twenty five yards to give Steels the lead. They held onto it until half time thanks to a number of saves by stand-in keeper Nick ward and after the break despite Scott Whittington and Ryan Keeney putting Ecclesfield very much into the game, Scott Birch (left) hammered a second for Steels from the edge of the area. Phil Cookson then set up a second for Savage, before Birch finished the scoring with his second.

Civil Service had recently let some vital points slip, but they made no mistake this time with a 5-1 win at The Vine. With the energy of Josh Corker in midfield, Service were dominating affairs and Gaz Griffiths, an Andy Bath volley and one from Adam Firth gave Service a three goal half time lead. A set piece after the break saw Griffiths grab his second, before former Service player Rikki Davidson pulled one back against his old club and Carl Whitby in the Service net had to be at his best to stop them making any further inroads into their lead. Having survived that, Wes Bamford finished the scoring for Service when his shot was deflected past the keeper by the unlucky Simon Blackburn.

Handsworth Turf gave themselves a real chance of avoiding the drop when one of their best performances of the season saw them win their relegation six-pointer at Southey Social 3-1. Joe France had a couple of chances to give Turf the lead, so it was no surprise that they led at half time with a Carl Eaton finish from the edge of the area.Southey levelled after the break when a Joel Askham cross was turned into his own net by a Turf defender, but Turf were soon back in front when Fraser McNeill fed matt Jackson and his cross was met perfectly by Ben Shackshaft. Turf then wrapped up the points when man of the match Kieran Hemming headed home a Tom Crosby corner.

DIV 1 - Super Mario sees Handsworth home, while Angel given a scare by Ranch - Super-sub Mario Esposito came off the bench to score the hat-trick that gave Handsworth Old Boys victory over Bradwell Skips, while leaders Woodhouse Angel were given a real scare by bottom club Ranch. Hemsworth Villa's promotion hopes were hit as former player Ben Dronfield scored twice to help Niagara to victory over them.

Division One leaders Woodhouse Angel were expected to complete a comfortable home victory over bottom club Ranch, but the visitors showed their recent improvement is no fluke and almost became the first team to take points off Angel. Ranch took the lead when Steve Batty’s header was blocked on the line and it fell perfectly for Carl Pearce (right) to crash home. Angel were level by half time though with a Liam Parnell strike and a minute into the second half Angel were in front with a Dave Kippax goal. Matt Parks made it 3-1 to the leaders, but Ranch hit back when Batty’s cross was volleyed home by Pearce and only a goal line clearance stopped Pearce from completing his hat-trick. Batty also had one cleared off the line as Angel wobbled, but eventually held on to keep their perfect record.

Super-sub Mario Esposito came off the bench to score the hat-trick that gave Handsworth Old Boys victory over Bradwell Skips and lift them up to second in the table. Dalton Kershaw gave Handsworth a first half lead, but they had been unconvincing until Esposito was introduced and he made the most of his chance with  his hat-trick before Chris Slack pulled one back for Bradwell.

Hemsworth Villa's promotion hopes were hit though as former player Ben Dronfield scored twice to help Niagara to victory over them. Niagara took the lead when Scott Fitzgerald’s shot was blocked and the ball fell nicely for Dronfield to tap home. Fitzgerald then missed two great chances to increase their lead before Dronfield forgot which side he was playing for and headed a Chris Bell shot into his own goal (first left below). Dronfield further blotted his copybook when he hit a penalty against a post after Fitzgerald had been fouled, but he made up for his errors when he met James Shepherd’s cross to put Niagara back in front. Villa almost levelled when Chris Bell’s cross was met by Louis Boler’s head, but Scott Wostenholme in the Niagara net saved brilliantly and Niagara made certain when Oliver Woodhead scored a real cracker.

DIV 2 - Miners leave their Mark on Cobden View, while leaders held up by Crookes  - A Mark Brraclough hat-trick saw Miners Arms to victory over second place Cobden View and leaders Anston Athletic also dropped points as Rob Acheson's leveller saw Crookes & District share the points with them. Danny Clinton looks certain to land the League's leading scorer trophy after adding six to his tally in his side's victory at Sharrow Vale, while Chapeltown RBL keeper Craig Short's broken leg meant their game at Phoenix was cut short with the home side leading 2-0.

Division Two leaders Anston Athletic’s wobble continued when they could only draw at home with Crookes & District. Jamie Harrison gave Anston the lead when he headed Tom Gabbitas’s corner home, but despite two good chances they failed to build on the lead and Crookes levelled when Rob Acheson’s shot was deflected past keeper Adam Booth. Anston had more of the play in the second half, but the Crookes defence held firm and when Matt Roebuck finally broke through, his shot was brilliantly saved by Crookes keeper Scott Slack.

Second place Cobden View did even worse as a Mark Brraclough hat-trick saw Miners Arms to victory over them. Barraclough headed Miners in front before half time and although Cobden levelled with a Tom Lendhill header shortly after the re-start, Barraclough put Miners back in front. Dan Skidmore hit the bar as Cobden responded and they levelled a second time when Paul Griffiths deflected shot found the net, but when Barraclough completed his hat-trick, Cobden couldn’t find an answer.

Danny Clinton looks certain to land the League's leading scorer trophy after adding six to his tally in Players Lounge Athletic’s victory at Sharrow Vale. Alex Evison collected a hat-trick, while Danny Marcus, Danny Parker and Brett Gardner scored Athletic’s others, while Vale’s goals came from Glossop and Matterson. Phoenix were leading 2-0 at home to Chapeltown RBL with goals from Simon Jebson and Jordan Roome, but the game had to be cut short after Chapeltown keeper Craig Short suffered a broken leg. We wish him a quick recovery.

15 Mar - Clinton tops the goalscoring bill - Division Two Players Lounge Athletic's Danny Clinton (right) is leading the way for the twentytwo leading scorer Golden Boots Award, while Ecclesfield Players Lounge's Craig Senior is leading the CBC Premier goalscoring charts and Woodhouse Angel's Matt Parks leads the way in Division One. Full details of the leading scorers for each team is shown in the Leading Goalscorers section.

 

10 Mar - CBC PREMIER - Late Mowforth strike keeps Bull in the hunt - The weather again played havoc with the fixtures and the only CBC Premier game played saw Alan Mowforth (left) score a late winner for second place Bulls Head at Handsworth Turf. Bulls Head went into the game knowing that victory was a must if they wanted to stand any realistic chance of catching the leaders Stannington Village, but bottom club Handsworth were also desperate for the points in their battle to avoid the drop and victory for them would have lifted them out of the drop zone.

Bulls Head had the early pressure and both Greg Broomhead and Nick Ash went close, but Turf responded and thought they had took the lead when an Andy Stevens corner was headed in by Kieron Fairchild, but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper. It wasn’t long before Turf did get their noses in front though when further pressure led to a free kick outside the area and Andy Stevens’ cross was headed in by Joe France. Soon after the same combination nearly made it two, but this time France headed wide.

Ben Shackshaft was also the causing the Bulls Head defence problems, but Bulls Head began to get themselves back into the game and Turf keeper Jamie King was called into action a couple of times to make saves from Ash and Joe Keighley before half time.

After the break it was Bulls Head that again started the sharper and this time it paid off when they levelled after they were awarded a free kick twenty yards out. Nick Ash took it and although it looked as if it would be a comfortable save for Turf keeper King, he made a rare mistake and the ball slid under his body into the net.

Turf brought on sub Matt Jackson to play on the wing and this, together with a great display in midfield from Turf’s man of the match Danny Leesley, brought a great spell of play for Turf. Jackson was a big threat to the Bulls Head defence and his great run and cross was just missed at the far post by Sam Atkin. Turf then thought they had taken the lead when Atkin turned and shot, but it was saved brilliantly by the Bulls Head keeper Matt Coates, who then pulled of another great save from Kieran Hemming on the rebound.

Matt Lambert and Carl Bowler also went close for Turf, but it was Bulls Head that won the game with the very last kick when Joe Keighley pulled the ball back to Alan Mowforth, his shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off Mark Barnsley’s back and wrong footed King in the Turf goal. The win means second place Bulls Head are just five points the leaders Stannington Village, while Turf can count themselves very unlucky to not get something from a game for the second week running. After the original referee had to pull out of the game, former Barclays Prier assistant referee Bob Martin stepped in and did a great job.

DIV 1 - Sampson too strong for Ball, while Niagara dump Skips - Oughtibridge Village climbed up to second place in Division One as Strachan Sampson scored twice and made one in an emphatic 4-0 victory at promotion rivals Old Blue Ball. The first half was fairly close but Oughtibridge grabbed the lead when Sampson beat three men before firing home from just inside the penalty area. Sampson nearly doubled the lead when he shot just over and Justin Westoby also went close, but it stayed at 1-0 until half time.

The second half belonged to Oughtibridge though and when good work by Adam Wood created the opening for Matt Cundy (left) he produced a great finish to double the visitors lead. More pressure soon produced a third when Sampson produced the perfect through ball for Westoby to run on to and score, and the scoring was completed when Sampson capped off his man of the match performance by firing home from the edge of the area.

Niagara came out on top of their relegation six-pointer with Bradwell Skips as Scott Fitzgerald and Ben Dronfield (right) both hit doubles in a 6-3 victory. Niagara took the lead when Matt Edwards crossed for Craig Foster at the back post and although his first effort was blocked, he forced the ball home at the second attempt. It stayed like that until half time, but after the break the fireworks really started.

A short corner routine saw the ball floated in for Skips centre half Michael Simpson to score with a free header, but Niagara hit back almost immediately to restore their lead with a Tom Staniforth header. Scott Fitgerald then beat the offside trap to extend Niagara’s lead, but Skips forced their way back into the game when Mark Grayson produced a great solo run and finish.

Niagara regained their two goal lead when Ben Dronfield crossed for Fitzgerald to net his second and Dronfield extended the lead further when he cut inside before unleashing a shot into the top corner, but Skips reduced the arrears when Daniel Bonnick was brought down in the area and he picked himself up to score from the spot. That was as close as they got though as Niagara finished the scoring when Mark Oliver twisted and turned before crossing for Dronfield to head his second.

DIV 2 - Watson brothers leave leaders stunned, while Crookes and Fox both win  - The Division Two title and promotion races were blown wide open as brothers Ryan and Lewis Watson both scored for Brinsworth Whitehill as they twice came from behind to beat leaders Anston Athletic in a seven goal thriller. Joe McGuiness gave Brinsworth the lead, but Anston drew level when Adam Russell nicked the ball off a defender and set Danny Nelson up for a chance he couldn’t miss. It stayed like that until the second half when Nelson returned the compliment for Russell to score and soon after Anston might have knocked the stuffing out of their visitors had Russell kept his feet instead of slipping after rounding the Brinsworth keeper.

Brinsworth took advantage by levelling with a Joe Keens header, but they fell behind a second time when Tom Gabbitas scored. Brinsworth held their nerve though and levelled a second time with a Ryan Watson strike and with time almost up Ryan’s brother Lewis scored a goal worthy of winning any game when he cut inside and hit a screamer into the top corner.

Fox & Hounds could yet get into the promotion race as they made it ten points out of their last twelve and five games unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over Chapeltown RBL. Lee Roome, Chris Hunt put them two up before Steve Davis pocketed their third, while Danny Bingham was man of the match for Chapeltown.

Crookes & District made it three games unbeaten with a 4-2 victory over Sharrow Vale. Crookes went in front when Lee Wharton ran down the wing before cutting inside and beating the keeper, and Crookes doubled their lead when Wharton provided the cross for Chris Cottyn to head home. The same combination provided a third for Crookes and Wharton again provided the cross for Johnnie Butler (right) to head Crookes’ fourth before the break. Vale did better after the break and after hitting both the bar and post finally pulled a first back through David Primhak. Tom Wray then grabbed a second when his pace took him through the Crookes defence and Vale might have made it even more uncomfortable for Crookes had they taken advantage of two one-on-ones with the Crookes keeper.

 
 

3 Mar - CBC PREMIER - Service title chances blown South, but Bulls Head & Ecclesfield keep up the pressure - Despite a Danny Wattam treble, Civil Service’s hopes of retaining the title took a big blow when Southey Social won a nine goal thriller to complete the double over them – a victory that also lifted Southey off the foot of the table. Joel Askham and John Mellor (right) strikes gave Southey a two goal lead and although Wattam netted his first to pull one back, Southey’s two goal lead was restored by Danny Lindley. When Wattam grabbed his second and Josh Corker equalised it looked as if Service would go on to win the game, but they were stunned when Rob Womack thundered home a free kick after Mellor had been brought down just outside the area and Mellor was again involved when Shane Andrews hit a fifth. Despite Wattam completing his hat-trick and some further pressure from Service, they couldn’t break through again and they are now ten points behind leaders Stannington Village with just one game in hand.

Bulls Head now look to be the main challengers to Stannington after they completed a narrow victory over Handsworth Turf. The win was mainly down to the form of Bull keeper Matt Coates (left) and the visitors can count themselves more than unlucky to not come away with at least a point. Alan Mowforth combined with Nick Ash to set up John Kentzer for Bulls opener, but Turf were level by the break when Mark Barnsley’s run down the right fed man of the match Danny Leesley and his cross was turned home by Joe France. France then put a free header over the bar, but it was in the second half that they pounded the Bulls Head goal in search of a winner that would have helped their fight against relegation. Coates was up to the job though making three great saves from France, Tom Smith and a Kieran Hemming header. It was Bulls Head that stole the points though when a quick break saw Joe Keighley get the ball to Chris Peel and when his shot was deflected off a defender, it fell perfectly for Nick Ash to hit the winner.

Ecclesfield Players Lounge also stayed in contention with a late Joe Knight winner at The Vine. Ecclesfield should have taken the lead when Danny Turner hit the bar and Joe Knight missed a sitter, but it was the home side led at the break after Dan Simpson had played Rikki Davidson in and he was brought down in the box. Davidson picked himself up to score from the spot. The second half started much like the first with Turner again hitting the bar and Gareth Hunter putting one wide, but Turner did eventually get his aim right to equalise, before man of the match Matt Groves headed Ecclesfield in front. It looked like they might have to settle for a point when Shaun Blythe headed home a Brent Healey cross, but with just five minutes remaining, Joe Knight made up for his earlier miss by grabbing the winner.

Stocksbridge Park Steels moved into contention as two Mitchell Savage goals helped them to a 4-1 victory over Pitsmoor Royal Oak. A Savage free kick was headed home by Richard Gill to give Steels the lead and it was doubled when a Kevin Davies corner was headed home by Adam Todd. Scott Spjazer reduced the arrears for Pitsmoor and Andy Dawson missed a great chance to level, so they still trailed at the break. Leon Stocks then headed over another chance to level and Steels made them pay with two expertly taken free kicks by Savage and it might have been worse had Chris Robson’s effort not come back off the bar.

DIV 1 - Whittaker treble halts The Park, but Jack's Hall right for Handsworth -

For the second week in a row bottom club Ranch put a dent into a promotion challengers hopes as an Oliver Whittaker hat-trick gave them a richly deserved 3-3 draw with The Park. After beating Oughtibridge Village the previous week, Ranch went into the game full of confidence and it got a further boost when Whittaker was felled in the area and referee John Burrows pointed to the spot. Whittaker picked himself up to score, but their lead didn’t last long as it was The Park’s turn to be awarded a penalty when Mark Townsend was brought down and the spot kick was lashed home by Ali Mitchell.

Referee Burrows was having a busy time and Ranch went back in front when Tom Hartley was brought down by the keeper and Whittaker scored his second penalty to give Ranch a half time lead, but it wasn’t the last of the spot kicks as soon after the break The Park was awarded a second penalty, with David Nash scoring this time. It looked as if The Park would win it when Townsend got onto the end of Calvin Thomas’s flick on, but Ranch kept going and earned a much deserved point when Hartley gave the ball to Whittaker and he found the top corner.

Handsworth stayed on course for promotion though as a Jack Hall double gave them a narrow victory over Niagara. Shane Rollinson gave Handsworth an early lead and Hall doubled it, but Niagara got themselves back in the game just before half time with a goal from man of the match Ben Dronfield. Hall netted his second after the break, but with eight minutes remaining Tom Staniforth grabbed Niagara’s second to give Handsworth an uncomfortable finish.

Hemsworth Villa had an even closer call at Aston Swallownest with just a second half Russ Westby penalty giving them the points. Chris Bell and Alex Yule both brought good saves out of Aston keeper Scott Hall in the first half and Bell went even closer when he hit the bar, but when Andy Hibberd was brought down in the area, Westby made no mistake from the spot. It was more than he could do when Villa was awarded a second penalty though as he hit the post and the ball was cleared. Action from the game is below:

A third promotion side to have a close call was Oughtibridge Village at home to Colley. Justin Westoby gave Village the lead when he scored at the second attempt after the Colley keeper had saved his header. Village keeper Chris Adnett needed to make a couple of good saves to keep them ahead, but even he could do nothing when the ball fell to Matt Meaney. The second half saw both teams have chances, but the points went Village’s way when David Sheakey charged down the keeper’s clearance and the ball flew off him into the net.

DIV 2 - Cobden View's title dreams go West and Brinsworth get Culled but Marshalls keep Oaks and Loxley on course - With Division Two leaders Anston Athletic not playing, second place Cobden View missed the chance to go top when they suffered a second home defeat of the season at the hands of Fox & Hounds. Cobden fell behind when a Dan Skidmore error led to Cobden giving a penalty away and Fox’s Russ Barker stepped up to score. They weren’t behind for long though as Jordan Jones played a one-two with Mike Walker before scoring, but they were behind again before the break when Gary West hit a real blockbuster for Fox. After that the Fox defence showed why it is has conceded just one or less seven times away from home.

Brinsworth Whitehill started the day in third place, but they also suffered defeat at Phoenix. Matt Jebson gave the home side the lead and a second from Kieran Cull goal confirmed victory for Phoenix. That allowed Norton Oaks to climb over them into the automatic promotion places with a 4-1 victory against Sharrow Vale. It was Vale that drew first blood though when Tom Wray cut into the area before drilling the ball past the keeper, but Oaks were level at the break after Coel Fulton scored from a Rich Gilham corner. The second half saw Oaks take the lead with a disputed penalty awarded for handball, but Billy Ireland stayed calm to score from the spot. Vale never gave up, but Oaks made the result safe with a third from Jamie Marshall (right) and it was perhaps a little cruel on Vale when Marshall added a fourth after his shot rebound to him off the bar.

Another Marshall took charge as Loxley improved their promotion chances with an Anthony Marshall inspired 5-2 victory at Chapeltown RBL. Mat Hall gave Chapeltown an early lead, but it was cancelled out when Steve Mayfield was brought down in the area and Tim Pitt scored from the spot. Joe Furey then put Loxley ahead from a Marshall corner and they increased it when Marshall put Josh Delaney through and he scored a real beauty with the outside of his foot. Marshall then set up Mick Smith for Loxley’s fourth and Geoff Mayfield for their fifth. Chapeltown grabbed another consolation when Hall grabbed his second.

Players Lounge Athletic fell behind to a Danny McLean strike for Miners Arms, but Danny Clinton and Alex Evison doubles together with a Danny Parker strike helped the visitors hit back to record a 5-2 victory. Mark Barraclough netted a second for Miners, but Players Lounge suffered a bigger blow when player manager Simon Marcus suffered a broken shin.

Crookes & District kept their improvement going with a 2-1 victory at Junior Blades. Lee Wharton had given Crookes the lead, but the Blades levelled before half time when Adam Caywood beat the offside trap before finding the bottom corner. Crookes always looked the more likely to win it in the second half and it came when Mike Dobson’s shot went in off a post.

1 Mar - Transfer deadline Extended - With many teams still having many games to play, the League management has decided to extend the transfer deadline and clubs will now be able to sign players up to and including 17 March 2013. After that date, any club wishing to sign a player must seek permission from the League before doing so. Should there be a further postponements, the date will be reviewed.

1 Mar - Queens Ground Resign - After struggling for several weeks, Queens Ground have decided to resign from the League. All results will be removed from the records.

 

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