7 July 2014 - Four clubs join the League - At the recent AGM four clubs were introduced to, and accepted by, our existing clubs. The four are City Taxis, from the Meadowhall League, Fox & Hounds Rangers, from the Sunday Imperial League, the re-formed Laycock Sports having last played in the Blades Super Draw a couple of years ago, and the fourth is Hallam FC after the world's second oldest club decided to have a Sunday side for the first time in its long history. Hallam will also have former England and Owls star Chris Waddle as their player-manager. All four clubs bring yet more good facilities to the League.

2 June - Special rate pitch hire for friendlies for Blades Super Draw teams - Finding a suitable pitch over the summer period is often difficult. We have therefore teamed up with The University of Sheffield to provide Blades Super Draw teams with a top quality pitch to play summer friendlies and pre-season fixtures at Goodwin Sports Centre. All matches will be played on a 3G (rubber crumb) pitch with a range of evening and weekend slots available, with discounts for Blades Super Draw teams This is a great opportunity to keep ticking over during the summer or to prepare for the 2014/15 season. If you would like to book a pitch or require further information please feel free to contact Scott at Goodwin Sports Centre on 2226955 or s.tyler@sheffield.ac.uk

14 May - MACRON CUP FINAL - Redmires Knagg their way to Bramall Lane Final victory - In front of a crowd of over 700, Redmires lifted the Macron Cup at Bramall Lane for the first time in club history as a first half goal from the Kitlocker Man of the Match Dave Knaggs and a second half strike from Mikey Taylor gave them a 2-0 victory over fellow CBC Premier side The Park.

After a slow it was The Park that went closest to opening the scoring. when Mark Townsend slipped the ball through to Ryan Campbell and Redmires keeper David Reay came out well to save at his feet.

Redmires then started to look the more threatening, with Knaggs' pace causing The Park's defence problems and when Dale White played a ball to him in the corner of the penalty area, Knaggs just beat The Park keeper Sam Kirk to the ball to hook it over him into the net to give Redmires the lead (pictured left and celebrating afterwards).

The Park responded with a Mark Townsend free kick that was met by Nick Galloway and his header was deflected onto the outside of a post. From the resulting corner Galloway had another half chance, but he could only volley over the bar. It was then Redmires turn to attack and after some good work by Jon Wall, Knaggs almost scored a second when he brushed aside Jordan Bletcher's challenge on the edge of the area, but his effort skimmed the top of the bar. With Matt Reay and James Kirkham looking really solid at the heart of the Redmires defence The Park were restricted to long range efforts and Redmires went into the break in front.

The Park came out for the second half looking determined to get back on level term and it needed two crucial saves by Redmires keeper Dave Reay to keep them at bay. The first came from a Calvin Thomas header from a corner that looked certain to be finding the bottom corner until Reay somehow got a hand to it to turn it round the post and soon after it was Thomas that was denied again as Reay was quickly down to make a good save at the near post.

The Park switched to three at the back to try to get more men forward, but that inevitably left gaps at the back that Knaggs in particular was quick to take advantage of. After he had outpaced Nick Galloway The Park's keeper Kirk did well to smother the ball at Knaggs feet. The Park's man of the match Galloway then needed to make two terrific last ditch tackles to stop Redmires increasing their lead when he first denied Wall and then Knaggs.

A quick break by The Park saw Redmires keeper Raey make another good save at the feet of Townsend (pictured left), but with skipper Scott Smith and Hegel Noubisse winning the battle in midfield, a clincher did eventually come Redmires way.

When a Park attack broke down, Knaggs beat Josh Ransom down the left and although looked to be brought down by Galloway just outside area, referee Paul Cooper played a good advantage as the loose ball broke for Mikey Taylor to go round the keeper and roll the ball into empty net. (pictured right). After the final whistle the Blades Super Draw promotions Manager Mick Rooker presented Knaggs with his Kitlocker Man of the Match Award (left) and the Macron Cup to Redmires skipper Scott Smith, together with club captain Chris Cotterill.

The Teams:

The Park: Sam Kirk, Josh Ransom, Ian Collins (C), Jordan Bletcher, Nick Galloway, Jack Ridge, Adrian Tomlin, Ali Mitchell, Ryan Campbell, Calvin Thomas, Mark Townsend Subs: Daniel Robinson, David Hook, Ben Hetherington, Callum Harrison, Lewis Stokes

Redmires: Dave Reay, Dale White, Chris Cotterill, Ben Graney, Matt Reay, James Kirkham, Jon Wall, Scott Smith (C), Dave Knaggs, Ben Palmer, Hegel Noubisse Subs:  Joe Keighley,  Matt Garnett, Sam Barthram, Dan Bathie, Mikey Taylor.

Referee: Paul Cooper. Assistant Referees: Jack Hall and James Gelder. 4th Official: Paul Matthewson

More action from the game is shown below (all pictures from the game are courtesy of Mark Rodgers:

11 May - DIV 1 - Last gasp Brinsworth are promoted, while Ball are slaughtered by Lamb & Sampson - After being two down at half time Brinsworth Whitehill (left) fought back and a last minute Danny Willis goal gave them the point they needed to pip Norton Oaks to the final promotion place. New Division One champions Oughtibridge WM completed their season unbeaten as Strachan Sampson and Aaron Lamb (right) both hit hat-tricks as they thrashed the new Division One Runners-up Old Blue Ball.

Brinsworth Whitehill went into their final Division One game of the season against Fox & Hounds knowing that just a point would earn them a first ever promotion to the CBC Premier and they started positively as Mikey Hare put the ball just the wrong side of the post after being put though by Lewis Watson. The Fox keeper then made a good save from a Joe McGuinness free kick, but after ten minutes Fox gave them a real shock when Harry ONeill’s wind assisted shot curled into the top corner to give the visitors the lead. Brinsworth’s promotion dream looked to be going away from them when Fox went two up when Adam Haloub ignored the Brinsworth keeper’s shout to leave a long clearance by the Fox keeper and instead headed the ball to score a calamitous own goal.

The second half started with Brinsworth pushing to get back into the game and within ten minutes of the re-start a Liam Favell corner found Ryan Watson and he hooked the ball over his right shoulder past the stranded Fox keeper. Brinsworth piled forward after that and Liam Favell twice went close. His first effort hit the underside of the bar and a few mintes later, after rounding the keeper he saw a Fox defender clear the ball off the line. Two glorious headed chances at the back post then went begging and it looked like an equaliser wouldn’t come, but in the final minute, Danny Willis grabbed a deserved equaliser to get their promotion celebrations going.

New Division One champions OughtibridgeWM completed their season unbeaten by handing their runners-up Old Blue Ball an 8-1 thrashing. Oughtibridge took the lead when Strachan Sampson fired home a superb shot from the edge of the area, but just before half time Callum Chambers hit a deserved equaliser for Ball. Although the first half had been an even contest, the second half turned into a procession of goals for Oughtibridge.

Justin Westoby beat six players on a fantastic run before squaring for Matt Cundy to score. Westoby then went on another run before blasting a shot which crashed against the bar, but fell nicely to Sampson to tap in his second of the game. Division One’s leading scorer Danny Clinton then made it four from the penalty spot to take his season’s tally to twenty two, before seventeen year old Aaron Lamb came off the bench to score a fantastic quick-fire hat-trick. Sampson then finished off a great move to complete his hat-trick before Craig Couldwell came on for the last five minutes to extend his record of appearances for Oughtibridge to twenty three seasons.

DIV 2 - Fifty up for Carl Andrews as a double hat-trick lands him the League's Twentytwo Leading Scorer Golden Boot Award - Carl Andrews (right) hit a double hat-trick as The Pheasant completed their season by thrashing FC Spartak. Those six goals took his League tally to thirty one and landed him the Twentytwo Leading Scorer Golden Boots Award. It also took his tally for the season in all competitions to fifty.

In blustry conditions a Dylan Parrott cross was headed home by Shane Andrews to give the new Division Two champions the lead before his brother Carl made it two with a free kick. Carl then scrambled home his second, before an error at back allowed Jan Horvath to net his twenty second of the season for Spartak.

Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly dispelled by two penalties in five minutes for handball allowed Carl Andrews to hit his third and fourth. Shane scored his second to make it 6-1, before Carl grabbed his fifth and sixth. Lee Gillott then hit The Pheasant’s ninth before Parrot and Joe McKernan got their names on the scoresheet. Even though Frank McAuslin then missed a penalty near the end it couldn’t take the gloss off a great first season that has seen The Pheasant take the Division Two title and win the Taylor&Emmet County FA Sunday Junior Cup.

6 May - MACRON CUP - Macron Cup Final officials - The League is pleased to announce that the referee for next week's Macron Cup Final between The Park and Redmires, at Bramall Lane, is Paul Cooper (pictured left). Paul was due to referee last season's final, but unfortunately picked up an injury just prior to the game and couldn't do it, so it will be fingers crossed that he stays fit this year. His assistants will be Jack Hall and James Gelder, while the fourth official will be Paul Matthewson. The game kicks-off at 7pm and admission is £5 for adults and free for accompanied children under 16.

4 May - CBC PREM - Old Boys safe after James doubles sees off The Vine, while a Parks double sees Angel fly at Villa  - Chris James (right) scored twice as Handsworth Old Boys won 3-1 at The Vine to secure their place in the top flight next season. James put Handsworth ahead when they were awarded a penalty and he scored from the spot and their lead was doubled before half time by Alex Hull's third goal in four games. After the break, Rick Gregory played Liam Allott in for him to pull one back and Gregory went close to equalising soon after, but it was James that completed the scoring to settle Handsworth's nerves. The result means that Ecclesfield Players Lounge finish in the bottom three.

Matt Parks (left) also scored twice as Woodhouse Angel completed their away games with a 6-0 victory at Hemsworth Villa. Parks opened the scoring when he rounded the keeper and squeezed the ball in from an acute angle and Angel's lead was doubled before the break when Chris Towey met Scott Riley's corner to score. The second half saw skipper Gareth Simons quickly extend Angel's lead before Mark Coggin produced a good finish to make it four. The move of the game then finished with Parks unselfishly setting Lee Marshall up to score and Parks took advantage of an error by the keeper to complete the scoring

DIV 1 - It's Hall good news for Aston - Scott Hall scored twice as Aston Swallownest completed their season with victory at Southey Social. Despite a good start by Southey, Hall gave Aston the lead with virtually their first attack, but they were pegged back when John Mellor cut in from the left before firing low into the bottom corner. With Southey now on top they grabbed a half time lead when Sean Needham headed home, but the second half saw Aston level when a corner was only half cleared and Billy Evans found the net. The game could have gone either way, but it was Aston that took the points when a quick break and cross allowed Hall to head the winner.

DIV 2 - Hobson's choice wins it for Intake - In a game of very few chances, second place Intake Old Boys (right, with their trophy and medals) beat third place Hare & Hounds 1-0. The game's only goal came from a corner when the unmarked Russ Hobson volley in at the back post. Hounds won't be too disappointed though as both sides were already promoted.

1 May - CBC PREM - The Vine's runners-up hopes go up in smoke as The Park go goal crazy  - The Vine's chances of taking the Runners-up spot ended when they lost 8-3 at The Park. The Park opened the scoring when Calvin Thomas finished off Josh Ransom's cross and they doubled their lead when Mark Townsend (left) was first to Christian Nixon's weak back pass. After the break, only a good save by the keeper from Liam Allott's shot stopped The Vine pulling one back and straight after The Park  made it 3-0 when Townsend's corner was headed home by Ali Mitchell. The Vine did pull one back when Craig Woolley played Rikki Davidson in to score, but a quick break by The Park saw Townsend score his second from another Ransom cross and Aidy Tomlin made it five from a Thomas cross. The Vine hit back with Woolley again setting up Davidson to score his second and they grabbed their third when Davidson crossed for Matt Ellis to hit his twenty eighth of the season, but any thoughts of a comeback were dashed when Callum Harrison put Thomas through to score his second. Tomlin then set Townsend up to complete his hat-trick and a Nathaniel Foster corner was turned in by Ian Collins to complete the scoring. The result means that Civil Service will now be Runners-up to Champions Stannington Village.

29 April - CBC PREM - Redmires keep their good form going  - In their last League game of the season, Redmires kept their good form going ahead of their Macron Cup Final appearance with a 4-2 victory at Stocksbridge Park Steels. Mikey Taylor and Jon Wall goals put Redmires two up, but Steels pulled one back just before half time when Joe Cloves through ball was expertly finished by Scott Birch. Dave Knaggs restored Redmires two goal lead just after the break, but Steels got back into it when John Beggs quick thinking from a free kick slipped in Jack Oughthwaite to finish. Steels then pressed hard for an equaliser, but were caught on the break and keeper Stephen Marshall brought down the Redmires striker and Matt Reay stepped up to complete the scoring from the spot. Action from the game is shown right (photo by Pete Revitt)

28 April - Clubs show true spirit as they help injured players  - The Division One midweek game between Oughtibridge WM and Old Blue Ball had to be abandoned after Oughtibridge’s Adam Collins suffered a broken leg, but the spirit of the League was shown once again when Ball and their following weekend opponents Aston Swallownest collected cash for him, while the players of both CBC Premier champions Stannington Village and their opponents The Park also raised over £400 pounds for him. It’s the second time that Stannington have raised cash for an injured player and it follows in the path of Division Two FC Spartak who did the same for an injured Phoenix player.

27 April - CBC PREM - Ecclesfield give themselves a chance as Old Boys hit the Wall, while The Vine slip up  - Ecclesfield Players Lounge climbed out of the bottom three with victory at Woodhouse Angel. They are replaced in the bottom three by Handsworth Old Boys after they twice let the lead slip before going down to a five goal Jon Wall inspired Redmires. The Vine's chances of taking the CBC Premier runners-up spot took a blow as Stocksbridge Park Steels came from behind to beat them. Two Dean Jepson penalties helped new champions Stannington Village salvage a point at home to Macron Cup Finalists The Park, while bottom club Hemsworth Villa twice lost the lead before drawing at home with Bulls Head.

Four days after taking the title Stannington showed the sort of resilience that has won them the title when they twice came from behind to salvage a point against Macron Cup Finalists The Park. Stannington were first to lead when Mylnek’s shot was parried and Lee Johnstone knocked home the rebound, but The Park levelled before half time when Daniel Robinson scored following a corner. The second half saw Calvin Thomas get on the end of a Nick Galloway free kick to give The Park the lead, but Stannington levelled when Sami Eric was tugged back in the area and Dean Jepson scored from the spot. Adi Tomlin restored The Park’s lead when he met an Ali Mitchell free kick, but Stannington levelled a second time with another Dean Jepson penalty after Rob Shelley had been fouled in the area.

Civil Service chances of taking the Runners-up spot took a real blow when they were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by bottom club Hemsworth Villa in midweek, but, four days later, their main rivals, The Vine, couldn’t take advantage as they slumped to a home defeat by Stocksbridge Park Steels. It started well for The Vine as Matt Ellis hit his twenty seventh goal of the season to give them the lead and they almost doubled it when Craig Woolley’s header was cleared off the line. The second half saw Steels come back strongly and after John McSeveney blasted an equaliser, John Beggs set up Scott Birch to hit what turned out to be the winner.

The already relegated Hemsworth Villa gained the second successive draw of the week when they shared four goals with Bulls Head and with a bit of luck Villa might well have taken all three points. Jack House set James Ireland up to give Villa the lead only to see Kerry Dixon cancel it out with an unstoppable header from an Alan Mowforth corner, but Villa regained the lead with an Andy Hibberd strike. That was also cancelled out when Matt Evans’ through ball found Chris Peel, who neatly shot across the keeper, but had it not been for three terrific point-blank saves by the Bulls Head keeper from Ben Dronfield, Sam Britton or Jack House Villa may well have won it. Action from the game is below:

Who goes down with Villa is still in question after Ecclesfield Players Lounge’s 5-0 win at Woodhouse Angel saw them climb out of the bottom three, leaving Handsworth Old Boys there after they slumped 10-3 at Macron Cup Finalists Redmires. Two early goals by Matt Clark and a Craig Senior header quickly had Ecclesfield three up and although Woodhouse Angel were having plenty of their own chances, they couldn’t take them and Ecclesfield made it four before half time with Clark’s hat-trick goal. The second half wasn’t as eventful, but Clark managed to add another to complete the scoring.

It all started well for Handsworth Old Boys as they went in search of the point that would guarantee their safety, with Carter Mpwaya and Joe Barrett putting them two up, but two Jon Wall strikes saw Redmires level before half time. Handsworth regained the lead after the break with a Mpwaya penalty, but after Hegel Noubissie and Scott Smith goals put Redmires in front Handsworth fell apart and Smith scored his second, Wall hit three more and Ben Palmer and Joe Keighley completed the scoring.

DIV 1 - Old Blue Ball are promoted, but Brinsworth still need a point - The second promotion place in Division One was secured by Old Blue Ball as Christian Rowe scored twice to help them to a 4-0 victory over Aston Swallownest. Tom Thornton scrambled home Ball’s opener and Rowe made it two when he beat two defenders before beating the keeper. Callum Chambers chipped the keeper to make it three at half time and Sean Frawley set Rowe up for his second after the break to confirm Ball’s first ever promotion to the top flight.

Brinsworth Whitehill twice in four days had the chance to secure the third promotion place, but after losing a two goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Southey Social, they lost 1-0 at new champions Oughtibridge WM (pictured right celebrating with the trophy). In midweek, Matt Langley’s deflected free kick gave them a half time lead against Southey and they looked on their way to promotion when Langley found the bottom corner soon after the break, but two headers by Ashley Matthews late in the game saw Southey stop Brinsworth getting the win they needed. That meant Brinsworth needed just a point from their last two games, but they failed to get it in the first of them as a second half Callum Frawley strike gave Oughtibridge WM victory. It means that Brinsworth need at least a draw from their final game against Fox & Hounds to take the final promotion place away from Norton Oaks.

Southey followed up their draw with Brinsworth with a 3-2 victory over a Ranch side that had Carl Pearce playing his final game in charge after ten years as player manager. A Rob Womack double saw Southey two up at the break and they made it 3-0 at the start of the second half when John Mellor found Todd Guest and although his shot was parried by the keeper, Chris Roberts was on hand to knock home the rebound. Southey pulled their first back when some excellent wing play by Shannon Marshland was rewarded with a fine finish by Tom Hartley and he then added a second from Steve Batty’s long throw. Ranch couldn’t find an equaliser though despite Southey being reduced to ten men.

DIV 2 - The Pheasant, Crookes & District and FC Spartak all win - New Division Two champions The Pheasant took their tally of league goals to an impressive ninety four with a 9-2 victory over Sharrow Vale Skipper Andy Dawson set the scoring off and along with Ryan Gray’s first of the season and two for Craig Mawhood, it was the Andrews brothers that stole the limelight again as Carl too his league tally to twenty five with two and Shane took his tally to twenty one with a hat-trick. John Matterson scored both Sharrow goals.

Crookes & District completed their season with a 5-3 victory over Steelers. Jonnie Butler scored Crookes’ first in off the bar before Chris Cottyn made it two. Liam Garrett pulled one back from the penalty spot before half time, but Rob Acheson restored Crookes two goal lead soon after the break. Garrett scored a second for Steelers, but an own goal had Crookes two in front again and although Blake Owen grabbed Steelers third, Crookes leading scorer Matt Cowen completed the scoring.

Fourth place Phoenix also completed their season, but it ended in a surprise 4-1 defeat by FC Spartak. Jan Horvath did most of the damage as he took his season’s tally to twenty one with a hat-trick, while Marek Ziga grabbed Spartak’s other, while Brad Hardy netted Phoenix’s sole reply.

24 April 2014 - CBC PREM - Jack's the lad as Stannington retain the title  - Jack Mylnek scored twice as Stannington Village (left) beat Handsworth Turf to secure their second successive League title. An inch perfect ball by Shane Hinshelwood sent Mylnek through for him to side foot the ball past the advancing Turf keeper and soon after Sean Flynn knocked a corner back into the danger area for John Saville to score with a left foot volley. It was three before half time when Bill Green’s long throw was flicked on by Saville for Lee Johnstone and although his header hit the bar, the ball came back to him to score at the second attempt. Mylnek’s second came after an hour when Gavin Davis and Flynn created the opening for him to rifle the ball into the top corner. Mylnek then missed a good chance to complete his hat-trick, but a fifth goal for Stannington came when the best move of the game ended with Sami Eric producing a terrific finish from the edge of the area.

DIV 1 - Matthews double puts Brinsworth's promotion party on hold  - Ashley Matthews scored twice as Southey Social came from two down to hold promotion chasing Brinsworth Whitehill. Brinsworth still need a point from their last two games to take an automatic promotion place, while Old Blue Ball still need two points to claim an automatic promotion place after their game with new champions was abandoned after an injury to one of their opponents, Oughtibridge WM.

20 April 2014 - TAYLOR&EMMET SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP - Penalties see The Pheasant lift the Cup after a thriller with Southey - After twice losing the lead and finishing with ten men, The Pheasant lifted the Taylor&Emmet Sunday Junior Cup after it needed a penalty shoot out to separate the two Blades Super Draw teams. The game was a real credit to both teams and it was a real pity there had to be a loser, but after Stephen Mitchell's save, Joe McKernan hit the decisive penalty.

It took twenty minutes for the game to come to life when Southey gave away a free kick on the edge of their area and The Pheasant’s leading scorer Carl Andrews stepped up to hit the ball over the wall and into the top corner. Soon after, Shane Andrews robbed a defender on the edge of the penalty area and he unselfishly played the ball into the path of Dylan Parrot for him to double The Pheasant’s lead (see picture left).

The Pheasant looked set to go into the break with a comfortable lead, but Southey had other ideas and they hit back when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Pheasant’s area and Danny Lindley hit an unstoppable shot past the keeper. Just two minutes later they were level when Rob Womack struck a rocket of a shot past the despairing dive of Stephen Mitchell in The Pheasant goal. (see picture right)

The Pheasant started the second half the stronger of the two and deservedly went back in front when Shane Andrews took advantage of a hesitant Southey defence to hit the ball past Andy Guest in the Southey goal. The Pheasant looked likely to add more, but a swift break saw Lindley go clear. His shot was well saved by Mitchell’s feet and Chris Roberts failed to turn the ball into the unguarded net.

Roberts then hit the post from a tight angle as Southey stepped up their search for an equaliser and the game looked to be swaying their way even more when The Pheasant’s skipper Andy Dawson was dismissed after receiving a second yellow. The Pheasant reshuffled their pack and it looked like they would hold on until the ball fell to Womack on the corner of the penalty area and he unleashed a shot into the opposite top corner to level the scores again, and send the game into extra time.

Southey had the better of the first half of extra time and only a terrific save by Mitchell stopped Womack from completing his hat-trick, but the ten men held on without too many more threats to their goal and in the second half of extra time The Pheasant began to look the more likely side to win it. Carl Andrews missed a half chance to put them back in front and Southey keeper Andy Guest made a good save to deny Dylan Parrott.

That meant a penalty shoot-out was needed to decide who would take the trophy and after both sides had missed an early penalty it went to sudden death. At four penalties each Todd Guest saw his penalty saved by The Pheasant keeper Mitchell, leaving Joe McKernan to step up and hit the winning penalty past Guest. The game had been played in a terrific spirit and was a real credit to both teams. It was a real pity there had to be a loser, but it was Andy Dawson that stepped up to lift the Cup for The Peasant. Action from the game is below (photos courtesy of Peter Revitt)

15 April 2014 - DIV 1 - Lindley at the double as Southey hit Cobden for six - Southey Social completed their preparations for Sunday's Taylor&Emmett Sunday Junior Cup Final against The Pheasant with a 6-0 victory over Cobden View. Rob Womack opened the scoring by doing a Cruyf turn and bending the ball into the top corner and John Mellor doubled the lead before half time when he tapped the ball home after a clearance had hit Danny Ferguson's back and the post. The second half began with Danny Lindley (left) finishing off a good move with a chip over the keeper and Marcus Pass made it four with a free kick over the wall. Lindley then scored his second with a neat finish after Todd Guest had sent him clear and James MacDonald completed the scoring when he controlled Mellor's forty yard pass before producing an expert finish.

13 April 2014 - DIV 1 - Ball Rowe home to sink Loxley  - In the day's only game, a Christian Rowe (right) double helped Old Blue Ball to a 4-0 victory over Loxley to keep their promotion charge in tact. After almost scoring with their first attack, Ball held the initiative for the first half, but the Loxley defence held firm and the sides went into the break goalless. Ball's breakthrough came early in the second half when Rob Harris got the final touch in a goalmouth scramble and their lead was doubled when Adam Martin's throw in was headed home by Christian Rowe. Rowe then rifled home a twenty five yarder for his second and after Ada Wright had gone close, leading scorer Callum Chambers rounded the keeper to complete the scoring.

10 April 2014 - DIV 1 - Brinsworth and Ball close in on promotion, but Fox's chances end  - Brinsworth Whitehill's narrow win 2-1 at Southey Social has left them just two points away from an automatic promotion place from Division One and they three games left to get them. Mike Hare set up Matt Langley to give Brinsworth a first half lead and Hare was again the provider for Ross Johnson to double it after the break. Ashley Matthews pulled one back for Southey, but Brinsworth defence were in no mood to let the points slip and they held on without any further damage.

Old Blue Ball are also looking likely to claim an automatic promotion place after they came from behind to win 2-1 at promotion rivals Fox & Hounds. Liam Boswell gave Fox the lead in the first half and the nearest Ball came was a shot that cannoned back off the woodwork, but Ball levelled after the break when Christian Rowe’s shot was deflected past his own keeper by a defender. A draw looked likely until a deep cross was met by the head of Lawrence Matthewson to win it for Ball. The result means that Fox can no longer claim a top three place, but Ball stay on course.

At the other end of the table, a 2-0 victory saw Ranch end Loxley's six match unbeaten run to ease any relegation worries. Shannon Marshland provided the opening for Alex Denby to give Ranch the lead and Carl Pearce (left) made the victory safe when he headed home Breon Fogarty’s corner. It was a similar story at Aston Swallownest who eased their relegation fears with two second half David Sills goals giving them a 2-0 victory over Anston Athletic.

DIV 2 - Chapeltown grab second win, while Pheasant win at Sharrow  - A late Liam Gibson strike after Chapeltown RBL had twice come from behind saw them beat Colley 4-3 and climb off the foot of the Division Two table for the first time this year. Corey Crownshaw headed home a Josh Connor corner to give Colley the lead and although it was soon cancelled out by Sam Walch, Colley led at half time after Crownshaw converted another Connor corner. After the break, Chapeltown levelled a second time with a Brett Simms strike and they would have gone in front soon after when they were awarded a penalty, but Walch’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by Colley’s young keeper Tyler Webster.

Chapeltown weren’t to be denied though and they did take the lead for the first time with a looping header from Joe Hindmarch. Colley responded by bringing Neil Whitworth on to play up front and the gamble paid an immediate dividend when his first touch was a header past the keeper. Colley couldn’t hold on though and another set piece saw Gibson head home to give Chapeltown just their second win of the season.

Back on the foot of the table is Sharrow Vale after their 6-1 home defeat by new champions The Pheasant. A glancing header by Shane Andrews (right) gave the visitors the lead and after Sharrow had squandered a couple of half chances they fell further behind when Andrews beat the offside trap before slamming his second past the keeper. After the break Lewis Fothergill volleyed a third for The Pheasant, but Sharrow got themselves back into the game when Richard Cooper headed home.

Sharrow then had a ten minute spell of pressure, but they couldn’t break down The Peasant’s defence again and Andrews showed them how to finish when he thundered a shot into the top corner to complete his hat-trick. Carl Andrews then managed to get his name on the scoresheet when he beat the keeper as he was falling and Daniel Cooper completed the scoring with a terrific free kick into the top corner from thirty yards. Although Sharrow were well beaten in the end, the scoreline didn’t really reflect the effort they had put in and the number of times they had caused the new champions defence problems. Action from the game is below:

7 April 2014 - Carlton says thanks with a performance for Turf - Carlton Palmer signed for Handsworth Turf after they agreed to sponsor him for his chosen charity, Cavendish Cancer Care. The Turf players and Turf’s sponsors, Aspect Energy Management, along with Home Services Assistance raised an impressive £510 for the charity. Seen handing the cheque over from left to right is player Danny Leesley, Adam Johnson (manager/secretary), Carlton Palmer, Liam Richardson (captain) and Nick Garner (Assistant Manager). See below for action pictures of Carlton in the game.

6 April 2014 - CBC PREM - Stannington look set for title after Service stumble, while Carlton can't stop Turf from another defeat - Stannington Village look set to retain the CBC Premier title after two wins in four days, while their main rivals, Civil Service, suffered a surprise home defeat by relegation threatened Woodhouse Angel. After victory over The Park, a trip to Stocksbridge Park Steels was next and Jack Mylnek set up Gavin Davis for Stannington opener and Robin Elliott’s glancing header from Sean Flynn’s free kick doubled their lead before half time. The Stannington defence was in no mood to let that lead slip and Bill Green made the points certain when he cut inside before blasting the ball home off the underside of the bar.

Civil Service were stunned when Matt Parks’ bullet header from Liam Kay’s corner gave Woodhouse Angel the lead and despite some fierce pressure from Service, it was Angel that scored the clinching second goal. Gareth Simons won the ball in midfield before setting Parks (left) free to run on and curl the ball into the top corner.

Matt Ellis (right) took his season's tally to twenty four as The Vine beat Ecclesfield Players Lounge to keep their outside title hopes alive. Ecclesfield had survived one scare early on before James Green set Ellis up for his first and although Vine keeper Dan Simpson had to make one good save from Craig Senior and Paul Bashforth shot just over, with Craig Woolley and Chris Shirtcliffe dominating at the back for The Vine they rarely looked like conceding and after Woolley had sprung the offside trap he set Ellis up for his second to clinch the game.

Despite losing a two goal lead in the first half, Bulls Head ended their poor run with victory at Handsworth Old Boys. Liam Bonnick opened the scoring when he stepped inside and beat the keeper from the edge of the area and Sam Newton doubled Bulls lead when he found himself unmarked at the back post. Handsworth fought back to go into the interval level thanks to Alex Hull and Matt Hodgett strikes, but Bulls Head regained the lead when Nick Ash was brought down in the area and Alan Mowforth scored from the spot. They then ended their ten game run without a win with a fourth from Tom Cocker from thirty yards.

Handsworth Turf had former England and Wednesday star Carlton Palmer (see bottom right below) in their ranks when they travelled to The Park, but despite a courageous display they slipped to defeat and Turf are now just one more defeat away from the drop. Palmer agreed to sign for Turf after they had helped him raise funds for Cavendish Care Care (see below for more details), but it was their hosts that took the lead when Jordan Bletcher’s long throw was put away by Ryan Campbell and Campbell doubled the lead before the break when he chipped the ball over the keeper. Ali Mitchell made it three after the break, but with Palmer inspiring Turf to not give up, Danny Leesley set up Matt Jackson to pull one back. Carl Bowler then hit a post with a header and after heading narrowly over, Palmer brought a fine save out of The Park’s keeper. They pulled another back when Bowler crossed for Ben Shackshaft to head home, but despite having several more chances, they couldn’t force an equaliser. Action from the game is below:

Hemsworth Villa are also just one more defeat from relegation after Mikey Taylor hit four and Jon Wall three in Redmires' 9-1 win at Villa. Taylor started the rout with a penalty before Wall with two and Dave Knaggs made it 4-0 by the break. The second half saw Wall complete his hat-trick and Taylor go one better with three more, and although Jack House got a consolation for Villa, Redmires skipper Scott Smith completed the scoring. Action from the game is below:

DIV 1 - Oughtibridge WM are the champs, but Aston put a big dent in Ball's promotion hopes  - Oughtibridge WM (right) are the new Division One champions after coming from two down to salvage a point at Fox & Hounds. With Fox needing the points for their own promotion challenge, Harry ONeill and Steve Davies put the two up. It looked as if Oughtibridge might fall to their first defeat of the season, but just before half time James Baker headed home from a Matt Dodd free kick to put Oughtibridge back in it and after a Justin Westoby solo run ended with him being brought down in the area, Dodd stepped up to rescue their unbeaten record from the spot.

Old Blue Ball's promotion hopes suffered a big blow as relegation threatened Aston Swallownest came from behind to beat them 4-1. It took just four minutes for Callum Chambers to give Ball the lead when he headed Tom Thornton’s cross home, but after that the day belonged to their hosts. Jack Farrow long range effort found the bottom corner to level and Aston took the lead when David Sills set up Sam Thorpe to volley home. Sills then beat the offside trap to make it three and after Danny Wilcox was upended in the area, Ross Edwards completed the scoring from the spot.

Brinsworth Whitehill made no mistake though and look set to go up though after their eighth home win out of nine, 3-0 against Ranch. Ross Johnson’s shot was helped by a defelection by Ranch degender Chris Wajs to give Brinsworth a half time lead and second half goals from Matt Langley and Mikey Hare kept Brinsworth firmly in the promotion hunt, but left relegation threatened Ranch looking over their shoulders at the teams behind them

By contrast Loxley's season has been transformed and they made it five wins in a row with a 6-2 victory  over an Anston Athletic that is noe certain to finish in the bottom two. Man of the match Josh Delaney was fouled in the box to allow Tim Pitt to put Loxley ahead from the spot, before Ralph Clarkson doubled it. Steve Mayfield then chested Mick Smith’s cross down to volley a third before the break and with Delaney setting up chance after chance for him, Mayfield added three more in the second half. Danny Richardson and Sean Ebbs scored twice for Anston, but they never looked like getting anything from the game.

DIV 2 - Pheasant take the title and Hobson's choice takes Intake into the top three - The Division Two title was also settled with The Pheasant’s two wins in four days. After victory over promotion rivals Phoenix, four days later an 8-2 drubbing of Crookes & District saw them take the title. After Shane Andrews had set up his brother Carl (both pictured left)to put The Pheasant ahead, Mike Boast levelled for Crookes, but Andrews second soon had Pheasant back in front. Craig Mawhood made it three and Dylan Parrott made it four before Andrews completed a first half hat-trick. Paul Jackson scored a second for Crookes, but the second half saw Mawhood grab his second and Frank McAuskin their seventh when he got to the rebound after Dan Cooper’s penalty had been saved. Matt Turner made it eight before the celebrations began.

Intake Old Boys also had two wins in four days to climb into the top three for the first time. A dramatic 3-1 win at Colley, four days later, a Russ Hobson treble helped them to a 6-0 victory at Chapeltown RBL. Hobson’s first had more than an element of luck about it, but his second was a firm header past Chapeltown’s stand-in keeper Dave Adams. Ryan Sharp made it three before Hobson completed his hat-trick when he knocked home the rebound after Tom Hall’s shot had been parried. Cole Starkes thundered home their fifth after being set up by Dan Meadows and Dan Humberstone completed the scoring after John Reader’s flick on.

3 April 2014 - CBC PREM - Jack's the lad again as Stannington go three points clear - Jack Mylnek (right) was on target for a second successive game to set Stannington Village on the road to victory over Macron Cup Finalists The Park and three points clear at the top of the CBC Premier. After a goalless first half, in the first minute of the second half, a short corner went to Sean Flynn and his cross was headed home by Jack Mylnek for his third goal in two games. Within five minutes a long throw by Bill Green evaded everyone and Gavin Davis volleyed home to double Stannington's lead, but The Park hit back when Ali Mitchell's corner was flicked on for Jordan Bletcher to score. Stannington then missed chance after chance to clinch it with Dan Green missing twice with his head and John Saville also missed a header. Lee Johnstone also missed when well placed and the referee ruled that a Joe Barker effort hadn't crossed the line. The Park then began to press Stannington back, but the leaders hung on and they now look strong favourites to retain the title.

DIV 2 - Andrews brothers on target as The Pheasant clinch promotion - Both Carl and Shane Andrews were on target as Division Two leaders The Pheasant (left) clinched promotion at the first time of asking with victory over promotion rivals Phoenix. Carl Andrews put The Pheasant ahead early on with a header and they took charge when Dylan Parrott put Shane Andrews in and he rounded the keeper to make it 2-0 by the break. The second half saw Karl Howden score with a terrific free kick that took a slight deflection and Phoenix put The Pheasant's defence under real pressure, but they hung on to clinch promotion.

Intake Old Boys also won at Colley to move within a point of the top three with two games in hand on the two sides directly above them. Intake made a bright start and took the lead after good work by Adam Clayton led to the keeper spilling the ball and Russell Hobson tucked the chance away. The second half saw Colley put Intake under pressure and they scored a richly deserved equaliser when Zak Crownshaw beat three defenders before hitting the ball past the keeper. Colley then had a great chance to take the lead when Crownshaw was brought down in the area, but Josh Connor saw his spot kick saved by keeper Ryan Shepherd, who then made an even better save from Brendan Drew's follow up. Intake then made a couple of changes and oone of the subs, Ryan Sharp glanced home a header from a Liam Parnell cross to restore Intake's lead. It was the Intake's turn to have a spot kick saved, with Tyler Webster denying John Higgin's from the spot, but Parnell saved Higgins' blushes soon after when he made it 3-1 with a neat touch and turn before a good finish.