6 APRIL – MONTAGU CUP – BIG BEN CLINCHES BIG WIN FOR HISTORY MAKERS WICKERSLEY  – In an endearing storyline as old as the Mexborough Montagu Cup itself - underdogs upsetting the odds in the big final. Well, history-makers Wickersley CC can now be added to the list of those who have stunned the favourites on Easter Monday. Unfancied everywhere except in their own dressing room, Wickersley shocked the favourites Gate Inn by edging a tight final 2-1 after extra-time in front of 1,475 at Mexborough Athletic.

They deserved it too, veteran Ben Thornton - a big handful all game for the Gate back line - netting the winner just five minutes from the end with the calmest of finishes. It also completed a personal hat-trick as he was in the AFP side which won the Mont in 2014 and 2016 (also scoring in that one). They are the first side from Wickersley to lift the coveted trophy in the competition’s 129 years and also the first side from the Blades Super Draw League to do so. Consider that they knocked out local giants Westville in the semi-final and now Gate, clear leaders of the Rotherham Sunday League and, like Westville, through to the Sheffield Sunday Senior Cup Final on April 19th. Some double that!

Wickersley started brightly and got the boost of an 8th minute goal. Louis Seddons, a lively threat throughout wide left, got clear on that side and his low ball in was diverted into his own net by Jack Greeves with Thornton behind him waiting to do the same. Inside 60 seconds Greeves almost redeemed himself with a header from a corner which Pete Smith superbly turned away.

The early setback had jolted Gate into decisive action and they should have levelled only for Steve Taylor to put a great chance wide. But the equaliser did come on the half-hour, Nathan Walsh finding himself in space from a through ball. He lifted his effort past the advancing Smith and Jordan Pilling helped himself to one of the Mont’s easiest-ever goals from about a yard out. Josh Hemmingway and Josh Stead both fired over, but Wickersley went closest right on half-time, Reece Dudhill clearing off the line from a header by Liam Tomlinson.

The teams rather cancelled each out in the second half, Wickersley’s teamwork nullifying the prolific Gate attack although Greeves powered a header straight at the keeper. Both Seddons and sub Dec Mullane, with more time than he probably realised, could have snatched it late on for Wickersley. Man of the Match Thornton (pictured right receiving his award) fired just over following a free-kick at the start of extra-time and Taylor almost broke the deadlock moments after the second period started.

With thoughts turning to penalties and 115 minutes on the clock, a Gate threat was checked inside the area, and from deep inside his own half, Mullane’s longest of long balls drifted on the breeze, down the famous slope and, suddenly, Thornton’s eyes lit up. He realised that the ball was carrying beyond his marker and he eased onto it and was clear.

Breaths were held… time stood still… but the veteran striker kept a cool head and sidefooted calmly wide of the advancing Hayden Barnett and just inside the left hand post. Gate looked stunned, couldn’t mount a late surge and so Wickersley went into the history books. Thornton was named Man of the Match edging out centre half Nathan Taylor (left) who had an outstanding game as Wickersley rose to the occasion as a team and no one could begrudge them their triumph. (report courtesy of Les Payne) Pictures from the game including Ben Thornton scoring the winner, are below

WICKERSLEY CC: Smith; Kelly, Taylor, Cuckson, Claxton; France (McGann 105), Tomlinson (Nix 105); Hardeman (Mullane 60), Daughtry, Seddons (Godley 118); Thornton. Unused: Kemp.

GATE INN: Barnett; Dudhill, Ardron, Greeves (Hough 68), Blackwood; James (Middleton 117), Hemmingway (Hancock 100), Stead; Pilling, Walsh, Taylor. Unused: Moore.

Referee: Roger Webb (Mexborough).

5 APRIL – CBC PREMIER – Eckington push RBL to the edge and Sixers hold Village – Eckington MW came from behind to win 2-1 at a Chapeltown RBL now 6 points from safety with just one game in hand. Chapeltown got off to a flier with the wind at their backs and Josh Nodder took full advantage when he launched the ball from inside his own half to beat the keeper. It stayed like that until half-time, but it all changed after the break.

Dan White ran onto a ball behind the defence to equalise and soon after a scramble in the box wrong footed the keeper and it allowed Aiden Horspool to net his 13^th goal of the season to give Eckington a lead the protected until the end.

Despite coming back from two down, Stannington Village’s title chances took a blow when they were held to a 4-4 draw by Wadsley Bridge Sixers. George Rudd fired Sixers into a 6^th minute lead, but Stannington hit back when Dan White headed home from a Joel Purkiss corner. Stannington then went ahead when another Purkiss corner went into the net off a defender.

It was Sixers turn to hit back with a Rob Farrell strike and they went ahead a second time with Chris Belshaw’s 18^th league goal of the season. The CBC Premier’s leading scorer, Belshaw, then took his tally to 19 to give Sixers a 4-2 half-time lead. Stannington had been reduced to 10 men, but got back into it with a Luca DeFalco penalty and they grabbed a deserved point 5 minutes from time when a DeFalco cross was headed home by Aemad Gadour. Action from the game is below - pictures from Ian Anderson.

5 APRIL - DIVISION 1 – Hackenthorpe are promoted, but Crookes chances take a hit – A Xavier Dandrade double helped Hackenthorpe to a 3-0 victory over AFC Wisewood and confirm their promotion to the top flight. Hackenthorpe went in front when Harrison Case whipped in a quality cross that was met with a cool finish by Dandrade. The lead was soon doubled when a Chad Gibson shot was saved by the keeper but Dandrade was on hand to put the ball home with a cheeky backheel. The second half was dominated by Hackenthorpe, but they could only add when Gibson used his pace to race onto a terrific through ball from Aston Thompson and score.

None of the teams below the top three can now catch Hackenthorpe after Crookes were held to a 1-1 draw at Kelham Island. Crookes took an early lead through Tom Rickers and created lots of chances afterwards. They didn’t take them and Kelham Island made them pay with an Alex Simons equaliser.

Crookes’ result was also good news for Loca, who moved up to second and improve their promotion chances with a 4-1 victory at Brunsmeer. Jamie Hopkins gave Loca the lead midway through the first half when he turned a defender before slamming the ball home from 25 yards. Hopkins then took advantage of a defensive error to set Logan Liggins up for an easy finish to take his tally to 18 League goals for the season.

Loca made it 3 after the break when Cam Evans crossed for Mitch Kent to head home and Evans again provided the assist for Curt Modest to make it 4. Brunsmeer never gave up though and gained a consolation when their leading scorer Gaz Murdoch scored his 13^th goal of the season.

5 APRIL -  Belshaw and Liggins lead the goalscoring charts  – The CBC Premier's leading scorer with 19 goals is Chris Belshaw of Wadsley Bridge Sixers, 6 goals cear of second place Aiden Horspool of Eckington MW. Division 1's top marksman is Loca's Logan Liggins on 18 goals and just 4 goals behind him on 14 is Division 1 Crookes' Oliver McQuillin. The Leading scorer for all teams can now be found in the Results section.

2 APRIL - DIVISION 1 – Thorncliffe Villa Resign from the League  – The League is sorry to report that Thorncliffe Villa has resigned from the League. Because the team has not yet played 75% of its games this season, all their games will be removed from the records.