18 SEPT – Fixtures for 11, 18 & 25 October now on the website - The Fixtures and Referees for the rest of OCTOBER 2026 have been added to the Fixtures section of the League website – www.sssl.org.uk. Home teams must confirm the details with their opponents and referees ASAP please. There could be changes if pitches aren’t available on the dates shown and if a referee isn’t available for a game allocated to him. Please let Keith know ASAP if any issues.

4 OCT - LEAGUE CUP – A clean sweep for the CBC Premier teams - Holders Royal Earl were one of the 8 CBC Premier teams through to complete a clean sweep of top tier teams into the quarter finals. Earl beat old rivals, Division 1, Crookes 8-3, but when Alfie Broughton’s great run and finish gave Crookes it was the first time Earl had been behind in the competition for almost 2 years. Earl quickly responded though and a set piece allowed Matt Morton to equalise before Jed Phillips put them ahead on his debut. Jay Evison then made it 3-1, but Crookes hit back with a Ben Emsley strike. Earl made it 4-2 with a Connor Chapell goal from outside the area before Louis Flynn made it 4-3 at the break.

Two early mistakes in the second half by Crookes allowed Sam Fewkes and Phillips to put Earl in control. Chapell netted his second, as did Morton to complete the scoring, but Earl were given a tough examination in the first half at least. Action from the game is below - pictures by Ian Anderson.

The only two CBC Premier teams to fall both lost to CBC Premier rivals. Wickersley CC continued their impressive start to the season by beating Jubilee Rangers 3-0. Jubilee had all the early chances, but failed to take advantage and Wickersley took over. A good move paved the way for Liam O’Brian to put them ahead and Ben Thornton doubled it from the spot after Wickersley were awarded a penalty. Jubilee had the chance to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty, but it was fired wide and their chances went with it.

The second half was a cagey affair – Jubilee hit the bar and Wickersley had one cleared off the line, but they finally made sure when Fraser Hartley rode three tackles before beating the keeper to complete the scoring with a few minutes remaining.

The other all-CBC Premier ties saw Loca win the local derby with Hackenthorpe. It was as tight as could be expected and although both sides had chances the winning moment came near the end when Will Eades rose highest from a corner to net the game’s only goal.

The other CBC Premier teams all beat Division One opponents. Boynton Sports played host to Woodman Cotts and won 5-2, but Woodman gave them a real game. Joe Damms headed Boynton into the lead and Nathan Fletcher poked home a second, but in the second half Woodman hit back to level the game with Chris Salt and Andrew Swift strikes. Boynton gathered themselves and Alistair Holland set Damms up to volley his second. Further pressure brought a fourth goal by Joe Reilly and Jack Bennett completed the scoring with a terrific 25 yard free kick.

Eckington MW faced a tricky trip to Division 1 leaders Southey Social, but came away with a 4-1 victory. Eckington made a fast start and took a deserved lead when the keeper could only parry Aiden Horspool’s shot and the striker netted at the second attempt. Southey re-shuffled at half-time and quickly got themselves back in the game when Roan Heeley’s header came back off the bar and Jack Whyers knock home the rebound.

Isaac Kamara then thought he had put Southey ahead, but his effort was disallowed for offside and instead it was Eckington that went back in front when Owen Ryan’s pass set Horspool up for his second. Southey threw everything at their visitors, but they were twice caught out by quick breaks with Alex Flanagan and Lestyn Jones taking full advantage to confirm Eckington’s victory.

Last season’s beaten finalists Wadsley Bridge Sixers showed their determination to have another crack at a final with a 5-0 victory at The Sportsman. A tight first half saw Sixers only take the lead in the last few minutes when man of the match Kane Doughty’s shot was saved by the keeper, but Chris Belshaw was on hand to knock home the rebound. The second half wasn’t so tight after Niall Wilkinson set Belshaw up for his second and Danny Reet crossed for George Rudd to head Sixers third. Belshaw then completed his hat-trick and Rudd got his second to complete the scoring. Action from the game is below - pictures by Ian Anderson.

Stannington Village had an even more comfortable victory, 7-1 over league newcomers Queens Head. Aemad Gadour and Mikey Vella combined to set Alex Moseley up for his first Village goal. Ryan Oxley then found the top corner to double the lead and Lucas Metzger Edwards made it three with a good run and finish. Moseley netted his second with a free-kick and Vella made it five before Oxley added two more to complete his hat-trick. Harrison Marvin netted Queens consolation.