2 NOV – LEAGUE CUP – Five out of the eight ties decided by penalties as the holders go out – 5 of the 8 League Cup ties played couldn’t have been any closer and had to be decided by penalties, one of which saw holders Chapeltown RBL go out to fellow CBC Premier side Boynton Sports. It was a game of few chances in the Thorncliffe derby, RBL had 2 half chances in the first half that they didn’t take as both defences were on top. The second half continued in the same vein although Boynton nearly nicked it in the end as a goalmouth scramble was only ended by keeper Fox pouncing on the ball to take the game to pens with Boynton progressing to the next round after keeper Jenson Beever saved two penalties to help his side through.

Another all CBC Premier tie saw Jubilee Rangers go through at Southey Social on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw. Southey were denied the lead in the 1st minute when the Jubilee keeper James Gamble produced an unbelievable save, tipping Carlton Cartys close range strike onto the bar. Southey continued to dominate and took the lead after 15mins when Keanan Wainwright ran onto Carty’s pass and slotted home pass the keeper. Jubilee were gifted an equalizer before half-time when Jamie Hopkins’ back pass was too short and Reece James got lucky with the rebound off the keeper to roll the ball into the empty net.

Southey came out of the blocks in the second half and Hopkins made amends for his error when he held of the defender and fired home to put Southey back in front. Carty and Ryan Whitney then missed golden chances before Carty fired home from a tight angle to make it 3-1. Southey looked to be cruising through but with 7mins left on the clock a long ball wasn’t cut out and Adam Darton scored to put Jubilee back in it.

With the game nearly done the Southey Keeper punched a cross clear, but it fell to Darton and he levelled with seconds left. That took the game to penalties and once again Jubilee keeper James Gamble was the hero making the final save to put Jubliee through.

CBC Premier Nailmakers also needed penalties to overcome Division 1 Baby Shark. Baby Shark started the brightest and deservedly took the led through a Josh Foster strike, Nailmakers then settled and starting creating chances and were level on the half hour through an Adam Justice effort which went over the keeper from the edge of the area. After that both sides created chances but none were taken for the rest of game. Baby Shark came the closest but an excellent Sam Beech goal line clearance made sure the game went to penalties, Nailmakers scored all 4 through Russ Hobson, Nicky Owen, Jay Glover and Russ Westby but the hero was Henry Stepney who saved 2 of the 4 Shark penalties

An all-Division 1 tie saw Crookes win a penalty shoot-out against Thorncliffe Villa. After a goalless first half, Crookes wasted no time to take the lead with an Oliver McQuillin strike. That stirred Villa into action and the equaliser came ten minutes from time when good work between Stocks and Wroe on the left presented a chance for Dan Ashton to force home from 18yds. That took it to penalties which was won 4-3 by Crookes thanks to two saves by keeper Harry March.

Another Division 1 penalties winner was Brunsmeer in their delayed Round 1 tie with CBC Premier Woodman Intake. Brunsmeer took the lead through Charlie Wheatley, but Kyle Robinson equalized for Woodman in the last minute to take it to penalties, which Brunsmeer won 4-3

Stannington Village had to come from behind to beat Division 1 Hackenthorpe 3-2. Stannington took the lead when a clearance fell to Travis Hodgson at the edge of the box and he finished well in the corner, but the Division 1 side rallied to equalise with Finn Jones setting up Harrison Case who smashed it into the far corner. Hackenthorpe then took the lead with after a great team goal with Harvey Staniland assisting Kian Holloway who sat Stannington keeper and centre half down before tapping the ball home.

Stannington hit back in the second half and equalised early when a Declan Pinhorn throw in was flicked in the far corner by Luca DeFalco .Stannington’s winner came from a quick counter attack when Aemad Gadour found DeFalco and he blasted home into the far corner.

There was no such drama for Wadsley Bridge Sixers as they comfortably beat Division 1 Kelham Island 6-0. Josh Statham and a George Rudd brace gave Sixers a 3 goal lead at half-time and Statham’s second along with goals from Kane Doughty and Rob Farrell capped off a resounding win for Sixers.

Last season’s finalists Royal Earl saw off fellow CBC Premier Wickersley CC 4-0. Wickersley started well and missed a few chances, but the game swung Earl’s way when a Wickersley defender saw red for fouling Matt Morton when he was through on goal. It changed the game and Jake Squires opened the scoring for Earl before Morton scored with a tidy finish from a tight angle. The goal of the game came from Tyler Bradley who curled it into the top corner from 25 yards before Morton grabbed his second with a header at the back post.2 NOV –

DIVISION 1 – Loca open up a gap at the top & Reds win – Leaders Loca opened up a 3 point gap at the top with a 3-1 victory at Cotts. It wasn’t easy for Loca on a difficult pitch and it was Cotts that led at the break with a Chris Salt strike, but 2 changes at half time and a tweak of formation changed the course of the game. Big second half performances from Todd Catling and Ollie Grady turned the game in Loca’s favour with goals from Danny Richards, Cameron Evans and Grady seeing Loca home.

Mosborough Reds were also winners, 4-1 at home to Norton Oaks. That result didn’t look likely when Danny Lavender sent Atty Aydinli through and although his shot hit the post it came back to him and this time he made no mistake to give Oaks the lead. Reds then had a great chance to level when they were awarded a penalty, but for once the reliable Matt Ellis missed from the spot.

Reds didn’t level until the second half when Ellis made up for his miss and they quickly went in front with a 25 yarder from Jake Leonard. Ash Hotchin soon extended the lead with a shot that hit the post before rolling over the line and the scoring was completed when a ball in from Will Hotchin was turned home by Scotty Williams.