Report week ending Sunday 27 March 2005
TALBOT WIN CRUNCH GAME WITH WMC AS GEORGE ROLL ON
The
CBC Premier's top three all won to keep the title chase open and the other
end of the table is becoming even more congested after Dronfield Talbot
won their six pointer with Handsworth WMC.
Woodhouse West End climbed back to the top of Division One after leaders
at the start of the day, Telecom Sports were hammered by Noah's Ark,
while, in Division Two, Loxley, Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B' and Pen Nook
all had their promotion hopes dented by surprise defeats.
Dronfield Talbot went into their home game with Handsworth WMC knowing
that anything other than victory would as good as see them down and they
immediately found themselves on the back foot as the visitors went in
search of the win that would see them safe.
The Talbot keeper was called into action several times and Luke Jackson
struck their bar, but Handsworth couldn't turn superiority into goals and
they paid the price just before the interval when Dave Marsh gave Talbot
the lead.
That seemed to knock the stuffing out of Handsworth and the second half
belonged to Talbot. They threatened to extend their lead several times
before Richard Beck finally did the trick from the penalty spot.
Handsworth Old Boys quest for survival points was just as fruitless as
their neighbours, going down 4-0 as reigning champions Stannington Village
kept the chase for a second title going. Ben Palmer grabbed the first,
Kevin Bly grabbed two more and Shane Hinshelwood finished the games best
move for Village's other.
SCS Park are only out of the bottom three on goal difference after they
went down 4-2 at leaders Woodhouse George, but Park will take heart from a
performance that deserved to take something from the game.
It looked as if it would be a comfortable win for George after Michael
Towey and two from Chris Towey had given them a three goal lead, but Steve
McMain pulled one back for SCS just before half time and they set the
leaders nerves jangling when Joe Barker netted a second after the break.
George had to hang on at times and they could easily have finished up
dropping points, but their nerves were finally settled when Michael
Blythen struck their fourth with just ten minutes remaining.
Despite having to defend for long periods, Hemsworth Villa held on to
second place, but only just after a terrific game at a Freedom House very
unfortunate to not get something for one of the best performances all
season.
Villa hadn't planned to play on the break, but they were forced to as
Freedom kept them pinned back, but Villa are always dangerous and in a
rare break, Lee Webber put them ahead.
Freedom stepped up a gear and deservedly equalised through Adam Grainger,
but just when they must have thought they would go on to win it, they were
caught out by a quick break again and Ian Holmes netted the winner for
Villa.
Although they lead at one stage, Telecom Sports stay at the top of
Division One was short lived after they were crushed 6-2 by fellow
promotion hopefuls Noah's Ark.
After Jonathan Crossland had given Ark an early lead, Dean Grayson
levelled for Telecom and Telecom then took the lead when a real clanger by
the Ark keeper handed Grayson a second.
Ark took the blow in their stride though and Dave Mellor had them level
before half time and after the break they never looked back. Crossland put
them back in front and Mellor hit a second, sandwiched between two from
Anthony Shaw.
Back on top are Woodhouse West End after they had a very comfortable 5-0
win at Oxspring United. West End showed no signs of a hangover after the
previous weekend's Junior Cup defeat and goals from Damien Blakemore, Dave
Kippax, Andy Cox, Spencer Taylor and John Faruga came at regular
intervals.
Even bigger winners were Oughtibridge Village as they triumphed 6-0 at a
Civil Service rooted to the foot of the table. Dave Hudson lead the way
with three of them, with the others coming from Matt Siddall, Peter Wells
and Hopkins.
Although three of the Division Two promotion challengers fell to defeat,
the pick of them was Laycock Sports 6-3 victory over Stocksbridge Park
Steels 'B' .
After a goalless first half the game sprang into life when Mick Plumtree
fired Laycocks in front, but it looked as if the points would go to the
visitors when McLean, Horsfall and Cobb strikes put them 3-1 ahead.
It was still like that with just fifteen minutes remaining, but as soon as
Andy Register pulled one back for Laycock's the floodgates through the
Steels defence opened. Register levelled and Sam Sequerra put Laycock's
ahead before Register completed his hat-trick and Steve Naylor sixth.
Loxley soon found themselves behind at home to Ball Boys when Matt
Parkison put the visitors ahead, but levelled with a terrific strike from
John Rhodes. Loxley then had one disallowed before finding themselves
behind again to a second from Parkison and Ball confirmed their victory
with a third from David Browse.
Pen Nook's game with Lynthorpe Oak only just got the go ahead, but at the
end of the day, they probably wished it hadn't as Oak went away with a 2-0
victory.
It was well into the second half before Oak broke the deadlock, with Steve
McMain making the most of a mistake by the home keeper and Hilton
Stratford confirmed the points would go Oak's way when he beat the offside
trap to net their second.
After Lee Sargent fired Jordanthorpe Hotel into a first minute lead they
were not going to make any mistake and they romped to a 5-2 home win over
Handsworth New Crown.
Dave Carr briefly pulled Crown level, but Chris Ideson quickly had
Jordanthorpe back in front and skipper Lee Barringham marked his man of
the match performance with his sides third. James Mellor gave them a bit
of a jolt with Crown's second, but Ideson's second and another from David
Gough made certain the points would go Jordanthorpe's way.
Although Jim Linfoot cancelled out Scott Marcus's early opener, an even
bigger victory came Burgoyne Arms way as they went on to win 6-1 at Dynamo
Hartshead.
After Andy Mitchell's solo goal put Arms back in front there was no
stopping them and further goals came from a Darren Firth penalty, Gary
Cooper and a Danny Booker double.
Report week ending Sunday 20 March 2005
WEST END SHOW BROUGHT TO A HALT AS MINCHIN STRIKE SEALS FINAL PLACE FOR REDMIRESI
The County FA Junior Cup all-Blades Super Draw semi final clash saw a last gasp Jamie Minchin strike see Redmires stride through to the final, dashing Woodhouse West End's hopes of a unique treble and bring an end to their run of thirty seven consecutive victories.
West End had made it to the final of the Dairy Farmers of Britain Milk Cup the week before and started strong favourites to reach a second final in as many weeks, but they were rocked back after just fifteen minutes when a deep cross was headed back across goal for Redmires' Lee Rodgers to force the ball home.
West End responded almost immediately and Spencer Taylor looked certain to level but after Redmires' keeper Carl Taylor somehow got his hand to his low shot and turned it onto the crossbar, the danger was cleared.
Redmires were being pushed backwards, but Tom Laurence and Nick Milnes at the heart of their defence were making it hard for West End to create even a half chance. The only other chance that fell West End's way in the first half came just before the break when Dan Peckett headed off the line twice in a few seconds.
The second half saw West End throw more men forward, but they couldn't find a way through and it was Redmires that looked the more likely to score. Simon Bradbury's tireless running was creating space for others and Rodgers twice should have increased his side's lead.
It looked as if the single goal was going to be enough, but in a dramatic finale, West End grabbed an equaliser from the penalty spot. When a corner was swung in a rash tackle saw the referee point to the spot and Spencer Taylor stayed calm to stroke the ball home.
Extra time looked certain, but teams are often at their most vulnerable when they have scored and that's how it proved for West End. Straight from the kick off, Redmires poured forward and when West End keeper John Badkin's punch fell to full back Jamie Minchin twenty five yards out, he thrashed it back through a crowd of players and into the net.
With little or no time left to react it meant Redmires became only the second Blades Super Draw League side to reach the County FA Cup Final, leaving West End to concentrate on completing a Division One and Milk Cup double.
There was a shock in the league as well with CBC Premier champions Stannington Village slipping to a second league defeat, losing 1-0 at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' and coming just a week after they went out of the Milk Cup, it now means they could lose their grip on the other half of last season's double as well.
Stannington were without leading scorer Simon Howe and how he was missed, with Steels stand-in keeper Nick Ward dealing with everything comfortably. The winner came midway through the second half when Chris Kelly set up Matt Sewell to finish from twelve yards.
Another of the title challengers to lose was Dronfield Town when they also suffered a single goal defeat at local rivals Dronfield Talbot. Talbot just had to win to keep their hopes of avoiding the drop alive and the points came their way thanks to Martin Grayson's lone strike.
Those results were great news for leaders Woodhouse George and they extended their lead at the top with a 3-0 victory at a Handsworth Old Boys that now look destined for the drop.
It wasn't easy though and it was only a minute from the interval when Wes Pierce opened the scoring for George. The Old Boys continued to give stubborn resistance in the second half and there wasn't much time left when Pierce and Chris Towey added two more for George.
SCS Park gave their survival hopes a big boost with victory at fellow strugglers Moorview Ranges. Goals in each half by Adam Parker proved just enough, despite Dean's strike for Ranges.
It was the same scoreline as Freedom House overcame Minnies to boost their hopes of a top three finish. Wayne Bird and Sean Ward hit Freedom's goals with Paul Cooper netting a consolation for
Minnies.
Division One has it's third leaders in as many weeks after Telecom Sports, with the help of a fluke goal by keeper Kevin Beckett, produced a sparkling second half to come from behind and beat Niagara 5-1 to claim top spot.
Niagara had the better of the first half and deservedly led at half time thanks to Simon Staniforth's strike, but Telecom came out a different side in the second half and quickly changed things round.
Rob Lawson levelled, Paul Marrison put them ahead and their lead was extended when Dave Parrott fired home from the penalty spot. Keeper Kevin Beckett's long punt downfield then flew past a stunned Niagara keeper for Telecom's fourth and Marrison completed the scoring with his second of the day.
Despite their lofty position, Telecom are still outsiders to go up as sides below them have plenty of games in hand. One of those is Noah's Ark and they kept their promotion hopes firmly in tact when a 'Tom' Saywer goal gave them a 1-0 win at Oughtibridge Village.
Oxspring United's plight towards the foot of the table is looking more desperate after they slipped to a 4-2 home defeat by Royal Oak
Pitsmoor. Frank Grayson's opener for Oak was cancelled out before half time by Matt
Ryland, but Oxspring were undone by three set pieces in the second half.
John Mellor, Julian Woods and Craig Jones all took advantage of some generous defending and Alan Crofts late second for the home side was too little too late.
New Inn Norton continued to close in on the Division Two title with a 5-2 victory at Dynamo
Hartshead, but Dynamo didn't make it easy for them and it was an hour before Inn finally forced the breakthrough.
Alex Yule did the trick and quickly hit a second before Carl Garrison made it three with a simple tap-in. James Smith added a fourth before Paul Gregory pulled one back for Dynamo, but Danny Rower hit a fifth for Norton before Gregory's second for the home side.
The only real threat to Norton's chances looks to be from neighbours Jordanthorpe Hotel, who confirmed their pedigree with a 5-1 victory over Laycock Sports. Lee Barringham and Scott Wostenholme both grabbed doubles and Chris Ideson added Jordanthorpe's fifth, while Laycock's only reply came from Sam
Sequerra.
Lord Nelson kept their hopes alive with a 2-1 victory at Loxley, a defeat that means the home side are now out of the title race. Matt Wright gave Nelson a first half lead and he doubled it after the break with a brave header.
Steve Mayfield's cross then allowed John Rhodes to pull one back for Loxley, but the Nelson defence, with Jamie Middleton and Save Swift outstanding, held firm to collect maximum points.
Burgoyne Arms are also out of the race after their home defeat by Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B'. Birkinshaw gave Steels a first half lead and Thomas doubled it in the second before Darren Firth hit Burgoyne's consolation.
Pen Nook still have an outside chance after they came away from Ball Boys with a 3-2 victory. Mark Titman gave Nook an early lead and Ryan Cockayne soon made it two, but Lance Dixon pulled one back for Ball before the break.
Both sides squandered good chances for further goals, but it was Nook that next found the net when Mark Dobbs hit the target and it proved to be the winner after Matt Parkison netted a second for the home side.
The basement battle between Handsworth New Crown and Lynthorpe Oak ended all square and honours even. Chris James put Crown ahead only for it to be cancelled out by Steve Fairbank's penalty after Rick Tidy had been brought down.
James Mellor had Crown back in front again before half time, but they couldn't hold on to it and Hilton Stratford produced a delightful twenty five yard chip to earn Oak a deserved point..
Report week ending Sunday 13 March 2005
DOUBLE
G-LEE FOR WEST END AND VILLA CLINCH PLACE AT BRAMALL LANE
It was g-Lee time for both Woodhouse West End and Hemsworth Villa with doubles from
West End's Lee Glaves (pictured right) and Villa's Lee Webber
(pictured below) helping them to a place in the Bramall Lane final of the Dairy Farmers of Britain Milk
Cup. West End had a comfortable win in their all-Division One tie with Noah's Ark, but Villa's victory over holders Stannington Village was a real thriller.
Stannington were trying to retain their double title and were first to show, and they should have taken the lead in the third minute when leading scorer Simon Howe was clean through, but he had obviously been watching Villa's Glynn Radford's attempt at the crossbar challenge and his lob over the keeper came back off the bar before being scrambled to safety.
That was a real let off for Villa and they took full advantage by grabbing the lead just two minutes later. A ball into the box fell to Mark Hopkinson and he side-stepped a defender before smashing the ball low past Stannington keeper Ben Ashton's right hand.
Stannington responded and after missing a couple of half chances that fell their way, levelled when Kevin Bly forced the ball home, but it wasn't too long before they were behind again.
Villa's ace marksman Lee Webber shot wide when clean through, but when Hopkinson turned provider with the perfect low cross to the near post, Webber made no mistake this time
to put his side back in front.
It looked as if it would stay like that until the interval, but after conceding an unnecessary free kick, Villa found themselves pegged back again with just seconds remaining. The first ball in didn't threaten their goal, but it wasn't cleared properly and when it came back in, Michael Barnes reacted quicker than the defenders around him and Stannington went in level.
A crushing blow like that could easily have been the turning point in Stannington's favour, but Villa didn't let it affect them and they became the dominant side in the second half.
The pace of Webber down the middle gave the Stannington defence problems all afternoon and it was no surprise when he showed a clean pair of heels before scoring what turned out to be the winner
(pictured left) and clinch Villa's place in the final for a second time in three years.
Woodhouse West End had earlier kept their remarkable season going with a comfortable 3-0 victory over fellow Division One side Noah's Ark, but they were given a big helping hand when Ark defender Steve Robinson sliced Spencer Taylor's cross into his own net to give West End the lead early in the second half.
The first half had seen both defences on top with Lee Glaves going closest when the Ark keeper blocked his shot, but Glaves was not to be denied in the second half and he doubled West End's lead with a goal worthy of winning any game.
When John Faruga played a difficult ball to him just outside the Ark box, he made the control look easy before hitting a vicious volley that swerved up and over the stunned Ark keeper.
Glaves had been a thorn in the Ark side all morning and it was no surprise when he made their first appearance in a Bramall Lane final safe with West End's third, taking David Haley's pass in his stride down the middle of an absent Ark defence before calmly placing the ball past the onrushing keeper.
CBC PREMIER
In the CBC Premier, leaders Woodhouse George took advantage of their main rivals cup involvement by taking their goal tally to eighty with a 9-1 victory over Freedom House.
George were in control right from the off and the result was never in doubt after they had established a four goal lead inside the first twenty minutes. Goals continued to flow after that with Michael Blythen netting three, Shaun Waller two and one each for Chris
Towey, Gareth Scarlett, Kirk Briddon and Paul Hancock. Freedom's only consolation coming from Sean Ward.
Dronfield Town haven't given up hope of catching the leaders though and they were also in sparkling form as they thrash Handsworth Old Boys 6-0 with three goals in each half.
Adam Fordham struck two in the first period along with an own goal, and he completed his hat-trick in the second half along with other strikes from Myers and
Parkes.
Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' continued their impressive run of results with a 3-0 home win over Moorview Ranges, but after Richard Gill's twenty yard strike had given them the lead they didn't have it all their own way.
Moorview went close on several occasions and it wasn't until the last ten minutes that Stcoksbridge made the game safe. Matt Sewell had a simple tap-in after Craig Barrowclough had unlocked the Ranges defence, before Andy Hibbert produced one of his trademark strikes with an audacious thirty yard chip over the keeper for their third.
Handsworth WMC went in search of a fifth win in seven games at home to SCS Park and although they didn't quite manage it, they will have been happy with the point gained from the 1-1 draw. after keeper Matt Rowe's last minute penalty save.
After Joe Barker had given SCS the lead on the hour mark, Handsworth hit back to level through George Barnes, yet it looked as if it would be in vain when SCS were awarded a last minute penalty, but keeper Matt Rowe produced a terrific save to earn his side their point. A point was also enough to lift SCS out of the bottom three.
DIVISION ONE
Crookes Club took over the leadership of Division One, but despite playing for an hour with ten men, they won't have been celebrating too much after being held by lowly Oxspring United.
Although a point was enough to take them to the top, Crookes have played more games than all their promotion rivals so three points was a must and despite their numerical disadvantage it looked like they might get them when Kev Haigh deservedly gave them the lead.
It wasn't to be though. Stand-in keeper Mick Furniss had kept Oxspring in the game with a number of great saves and his efforts were rewarded when Tom Skibble equalised late in the game.
The other promotion challengers, Telecom Sports and Redmires also gave below par performances, but unlike Crookes, both emerged with maximum points.
It didn't look good for Telecom when they fell behind at home to Oughtibridge Village after Dave Hornby put the ball past his own keeper. Things weren't going to plan so manager Steve Knapton decided he could do better and brought himself on and how right he was, first equalising and then setting Paul Marrison up for the winner.
Redmires found Civil Service keeper Steve Warrington in inspired form and their experiment with a new formation looked as if it was going to misfire badly until Andy Birks popped up with what turned out to be the games only goal.
DIVISION TWO
The Division Two title looks increasingly likely to be going New Inn Norton's way, especially after they left Laycock Sports with three points they hardly deserved.
Straight from the off it was Laycock's that took the game to the leaders, but they were made to pay for missed chances when James Sullivan opened the scoring for New Inn very much against the run of play.
That was the only goal of the first half, but after the break it was the same story with Laycock's dominating and New Inn breaking away to score. This time it was Richard dale that headed home from a rare New Inn corner.
Shane Spence stepped off the subs bench to make his debut for Laycock's and his impact was almost immediate as he pulled one back to put his side back in the game, but with just two minutes remaining, Alex Yule broke away again to comfortably tuck the ball past the keeper for New Inn's third.
Lord Nelson reclaimed second place with victory by the same scoreline at Lynthorpe Oak and like New Inn they also didn't have it all their own way.
They took a first half lead when Matt Wright beat the offside trap to score, but just after the break, Oak were level when Hilton Stratford struck the best goal of the game.
Oak were giving as good as they got, but it was Nelson that reclaimed the lead when Barry McGuire netted and in the dying seconds Martin Plumtree made the points safe with Nelson's third.
The main threat to New Inn's title ambitions could still come from neighbours Jordanthorpe Hotel after a bit of brotherly love helped them maintain their challenge with victory in a real ding-dong match with Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B'.
Chris Ideson netted the opener for Jordanthorpe, but Steels were soon level through Daniel McLean and it quickly got better for them when Adam Cobb slammed them in front. Jordanthorpe kept plugging away though and Chris's brother Neil Ideson brought them level on the stroke of half time.
The second half saw both defences tighten up and chances were at a premium, but with less than ten minutes remaining it was Chris Ideson that popped up to net his second and the winner for Jordanthorpe.
Dynamo Hartshead had won their first ever game when they beat Pen Nook earlier in the season and it looked like they would put another dent in Nook's challenge when they stormed back from two goals down, but this time Nook had an ace in the pack in Lee Revitt.
Revitt gave Nook a two goal half time lead, but two Paul Gregory strikes had Dynamo level early in the second half and they looked more than capable of going on to win it.
This time though Nook hung in and in the final minute they were awarded a penalty. Revitt saw his first attempt brilliantly saved by the keeper, but the referee ruled that he had come off his line too soon and Revitt made no mistake with his second attempt to complete his hat-trick and pinch the points for Nook.
Report week ending Sunday 6 March 2005
INN HIT BACK AFTER BEING PENNED IT, WHILE SIX SHOT HUDSON GUNS DOWN SERVICE AND STANNINGTON CLOSE IN ON THE LEADERS
New Inn Norton took a massive step towards the Division Two title when a terrific second half saw them overcome a three goal half time deficit to go nine points clear at the top.
Stannington Village also closed in on the CBC Premier's top two when their victory over Freedom House gained revenge for their only defeat of the season, but Hemsworth Villa's challenge is as good as over after they slumped to a single goal defeat at Handsworth WMC.
David Hudson smashed six goals as Oughtibridge Village eased their Division One relegation fears with victory over Civil Service, while wins for both Noah's Ark and Redmires saw them close on the promotion places.
The Division Two title race has been one of the closest ever, but it now looks to be heading New Inn Norton's way after a very gritty victory at promotion rivals Pen Nook.
The home side started much the brighter and were gifted the lead when an Inn defender turned the ball past his own keeper. Things got even better when Ryan Cockayne doubled the lead and just before half time he struck again to give Nook what looked like an unassailable lead.
Inn had other ideas though and shortly after the break Mark Sanderson pulled the first back and when leading scorer Alex Yule smashed home a twenty yard free kick, they were right back in the game.
Nook were clearly rocked by the comeback and when Richard Dale headed Inn level there was only going to be one winner. It came Inn's way with just two minutes remaining when James Sullivan settled a pulsating game.
Jordanthorpe Hotel haven't given up the chase though and they celebrated their first game at their new Boundary Sports home with a 4-1 victory over promotion rivals Burgoyne Arms.
Craig Green celebrated an early return from peacekeeping duties with the Navy by slamming them into the lead and Lee
Barringham quickly added a second. Scott Wostenholme netted a third and Chris Savage the fourth before Burgoyne netted their only consolation with a Darren Firth penalty.
With CBC Premier leaders Woodhouse George's game at Dronfield Town postponed, the chasing pack had chance to close the gap, but while Stannington Village gained revenge for their only defeat of the season with a victory over Freedom House, Hemsworth Villa's challengers was left in tatters by defeat at relegation threatened Handsworth WMC.
Handsworth are staging a remarkable recovery after looking dead and buried a few weeks ago, but this was their toughest challenge yet as Villa had won their last seven in a row.
Villa had much more of the possession, but for once they couldn't turn it into goals and after David Cawrey put Handsworth ahead in the thirty fifth minute the home side defended as if their very lives depended on itg.
It wasn't ideal preparations for Villa's Dairy Farmers of Britain Milk Cup semi final next weekend, but their oppenents Stannington Village will have sky high confidence after they beat Freedom House 4-0.
Freedom had been the only side to beat them this season, but Stannington soon took charge when Michael Barnes' headers went in off the bar and keeper.
Freedom keeper John Machin was unlucky with that one, but he was more than making up for it with a string of good saves, but the pressure finally had to tell and Simon Howe double Village's lead.
Howe was looking back to his sharpest and he rubbed the salt into Freedom's wounds with two more to complete his third hat-trick in as many games to help take Village just three points behind the leaders with a game in hand.
If it hadn't been for a dreadful start to the season, Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' would also be in the title chase and they again showed what might have been with a 2-1 victory at SCS Park.
It didn't start too well for them and Joe Barker gave SCS the lead midway through the first half, butten minutes before the interval Mark Barrowclough brought the Steelmen level.
A tight second half saw both sides go close, but it was Stocksbridge that grabbed the winner when Chris Kelly steered the ball home with fifteen minutes left. The win lifted Steels up to fifth, but it left SCS hovering just above the drop zone.
With Division One leaders Woodhouse West End's game postponed, it gave some of the teams tracking them the chance to make up gound, a chance they grabbed with both hands.
Oghtibridge Village were the biggest winners as David Hudson grabbed six in his sides's 7-1 victory over bottom club Civil Service. Matt Siddall struck Village's other, although the best goal of the game came from the Servicemen's reply by Richard Hodgson.
After James O'Connell gave Redmires a twentieth minute lead at home to Oxspring United, their lead was quickly doubled when Lee Rodgers run opened up the visitors defence for Luke Siggs to score and Rodgers carved the Oxspring defence open again just before half time, only this time he kept the ball to himself and rounded the keeper to make it three.
The pattern was much the same in the second half with Oxspring presenting their hosts with a fourth when a defender turned the ball past his own keeper. Sub Andy Fitzmauricve then marked his debut with a fifth and Simon Bradbury completed the rout with Redmires' sixth.
Noah's Ark warmed up for tomorrow's Dairy Farmers of Britain Milk Cup semi final against Woodhouse West End with a convincing 4-1 victory over a Niagara side that had pushed Woodhouse hard just a couple of weeks ago.
Ark had no such trouble and doubles from Bates and Shaw meant that Simon Staniforth's goal for Niagara was merely a consolation.