17 FEB - Fixtures and Referees for MARCH 2019 now added - The fixtures and Referees for MARCH 2019  are now published on the League website. All home teams MUST make sure that their home pitch is available on all the dates shown. Please email Keith immediately if your pitch is not available on a date shown.  All home clubs must also confirm the details with your referees and opponents for all dates shown IMMEDIATELY. The home clubs should later (the Tuesday before the game) ring the referee to make sure the referee has got all the details.

17 FEB 2019 - R.I.P. Garry Wright - The League was very saddened to hear about the loss of the former player, manager and coach, Garry Wright after he finally lost his battle against cancer. Garry had played for Stannington Community in two League Cup Finals, scoring 5 times, before netting the winner for Bass Stones in their 1994 League Cup Final victory over Westfield at Bramall Lane. He managed Telecom Sports to promotion to the Premier Division for the first time, but latterley helped with the coaching at Stannington Village. His enthusiasm was infectous and even though he wanted to win every game, he always wanted his teams to do so playing good football. He will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.

17 FEB - CBC PREMIER - Pheasant shot down by Stannington, whilst Woodseats win to send Chapeltown down - CBC Premier Division leaders Wadsley Bridge Pheasant could have gone six points clear had they won at Stannington Village, however the hosts breathed new life into their title aspirations with a 3-2 success. Pheasant opened the scoring thanks to another superb free-kick from the talismanic Jordan Livett but Stannington were level when Lewis Dickinson collected a Joe Barker long throw to spin and smash an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net. Two goals in the second half swung the pendulum Village’s way; the first coming when Dean Jepson (right) got his head onto an inch perfect Lee Johnstone cross and then Arnie Grayson taking advantage of some hesitation by Pheasant to head number three. Aaron Statham reduced the arrears to one goal with ten minutes to go but despite increased pressure, Pheasant couldn’t get back on terms.

Oughtibridge WM could have closed in on the top three had they won at Woodseats Club but they were left empty handed as Club won by the odd goal in five. Matt White gave Club the lead after just five minutes but an excellent effort from Chas Tunnard and a superb solo effort by Wilson Coupe had David Hudson’s men ahead by the half hour mark. Liam Bryan (left) got Club back on level terms as half time approached and then the same player produced a moment of magic to win the game for Club in the second half.

Two early goals proved to be more than enough for Wickersley as they inflicted another loss on Intake Old Boys. Great work from Brad Carroll saw him set up Jordan Thomas for an easy tap in to open the scoring, and then Kris Lee-Green made it two with a superb solo effort. Wickersley could have been out of sight by half time had Drew Houghton and Thomas not missed one on one situations but held sway when called upon defensively in a scrappy second half for three crucial points.

Renishaw Rangers still harbour faint hopes that they can avoid the drop, and those hopes took an improvement when they dished out a 6-0 defeat to a Handsworth Old Crown side still only just outside the relegation spots. James Savage (right) lived up to his surname as he savaged the visitors with a four goal haul whilst top scorer Robin Holmes added another from distance. Joe Glover celebrated his return to the side after a three month absence when he netted following brilliant link up play with Connor Shirley. Handsworth were never at the races and had to thank Tom Crosby’s efforts in goal to prevent Renishaw running up double figures.

17 FEB  - DIVISION 1 - Forum falls to Crookes, but Cotts and Earl make no mistake -  The big game in Division One saw Crookes take the honours with a 3-2 success over leaders Forum, just the visitors third loss in seventeen league games. Daniel Flynn (left) scored twice and a Matt Cowen penalty made up Crookes’ tally with Matty Ord and Josh Gibson responding for Forum. That loss for Forum enabled Cotts to reduce the gap to single figures as they overcame Southey Social 3-0 at Concord. Harry Shaw netted the first after quarter of an hour with a good finish from the outside of his foot, and Jon Dolan grabbed the others after coming on as a substitute; his first a well taken solo effort when he chased down the Southey keeper before dispossessing him and netting from twenty yards out and then getting the important touch on a driven cross for the clincher.

Royal Earl have four games in hand on Forum and took three more important points as they rounded up Ranch 3-0. Sam Smith was on target for the opener before a fluke effort from Jono Williams, netted from inside his own half; doubled the advantage. Earl then had to thank their goalkeeper Callum Fielding for a couple of important saves as Ranch pressed but secured their win in the dying embers of the game thanks to substitute Alex Rippon.

The two Oaks side suffered differing fortunes in their games. Cobden View issued a seriously understrength Oaks A a bit of hammering as they recorded a 9-0 success with Ben Bell (right) going goal crazy as he notched six of them. Calum McCrury, Sam Porter and Joe Taylor also were on the scoresheet as Cobden remain in fifth place. Oaks B had a productive morning though as they defeated Mosborough Reds 6-2, a result that confirms Reds’ relegation. Reds led twice through their captain Luke Newman and a Scott Williams header but they were undone by a brace from Nathan Davies and additional goals by Jack Peake, Chris Briddon, Conor Rogers and an own goal.

17 FEB  - DIVISION 2 - Sixs gain revenge over Colley as the top three pull clear - After suffering a surprise loss last week to Colley, and their lead at the top of Division Two, Sheffield Sixs enacted the best response back by defeating the same opponents. A volley from Brad Howe put them ahead after half an hour, and then Howe’s second of the game plus one from one from Danny Barnsley gave them a 3-0 away win. Mosborough Whites stay level on points with Sixs after a hard fought game with a Cadbury side seriously understrength and featuring manager Dan Robertson at right-back in his first eleven-a-side game for a number of seasons. Jack Bennett and Jordan Meadows put them ahead and they took the points despite Jacob Beech pulling one back in second half added time.

Boynton Sports remain in contention with a comprehensive 9-0 win over bottom placed Civil Sports B. Marcus Gordon and Marc Peacock both scored twice whilst John Heritage, Danny Lonsdale, Jermaine Modeste, Curtis Priday and Ben Jordan also found the back of Civil’s net. Another player hitting the goal trail was Beighton Magpies’ Dale Featherstone (left) as he bagged a hat-trick, one from the penalty spot, as the home side rode away from Wadsley Horse and Jockey 4-2. Lewis Hunt added Magpies fourth; with George Scott and Kurtis Westerman netting for the visitors.

Woodseats Chantrey took a lead midway through the second half of an uneventful game against hosts Brinsworth Phoenix. The goal came when Brad Gray produced a through ball executed to perfection and Luke Simmonds slotted it past the Phoenix custodian. However, Phoenix grabbed three welcomed points in the final five minutes thanks to Joe Statham. Statham equalising with an absolute screamer and then taking advantage of slack Chantrey defending to head home in the final minute.