Report week ending Sunday 26  Feb 2006

Village people hit back to topple leaders

The weather put paid to most of last weekend's programme, but in one of the games played Stannington Village blew the CBC Premier title race wide open when they came back from two down to shatter leader's Woodhouse George's unbeaten record.

George started brightly and they took a deserved lead when Wes Pierce's shot took a deflection past the Stannington keeper and it the game looked all over when Michael Blythen took the ball through a static defence to chip over the keeper for George's second.

George were so much in command that they didn't really want half time to come, but when it did Stannington changed their formation by pushing a third man up front and it transformed the game.

Recent signing Dan Brooksbank pulled one back when his shot went in off the underside of the bar and George's defence suddenly looked under pressure. Steve Taylor then made a great break through the rearguard and despite almost being brought down he managed to stay on his feet to hit Stannington's equaliser.

Worse soon followed for George when a corner was flicked on by Brooksbank and Dave Perry met the ball at the far post to hit the ball home via George defender Chris Askey. Stannington were in full flow now and although their keeper had to make a couple of timely stops it was George keeper James Clewes that was far the busier, having to make two great saves to keep his side in the game.

He was eventually beaten after David Hague was brought down just outside the area and Simon Howe bent his free kick over the wall to ensure the three points went to Stannington. It also ended George's unbeaten record and inflicted only their first ever defeat in the top flight.

In Division One, third place Lord Nelson twice had to come from a goal behind to get a share of the points with a Burgoyne Arms just one point and one place behind them.

Darren Firth put Burgoyne ahead only to see Andy West cancel it out, but Firth was on hand again to put Burgoyne back in front. Nelson weren't going to let their recent unbeaten run go easily though and when Danny Wilkinson was brought down in the area he picked himself up to score from the spot and give Nelson a deserved share of the points.

After two straight defeats Niagara were looking to bounce back to winning ways and push for a top three finish against struggling Oughtibridge Village and Niagara's strong start to the game saw them take a well deserved tenth minute lead when a Carl Boldock through ball gave Craig Foster the opportunity to chip over the advancing keeper.

As confidence grew for Niagara, they were able to pass the ball around and it was that man Foster again who went round the Village keeper to double his side's lead after twenty minutes and make him Niagara's leading scorer this season. 

It stayed like that until half time, but with Oughtibridge not causing any trouble for Niagara defence it was just a matter of time before the home side extended their lead. It came when Liam Pigott worked his magic down the left side and his cross was headed into his own net by a Village defender.

The contest was all but over, but Niagara went in search of further goals and the goal of the game came just past the hour when Craig Lonsdale played a perfect cross field pass for man of the match Andrew Lee to smash home first time from 20 yards. 

The points were then wrapped up five minutes from time when Niagara substitute Chris Smith fired home from close range, but just when it looked like Niagara would keep their first clean sheet of the season, a careless mistake from Niagara keeper Steve Brady let Village's Keith Hague in for a late consolation goal.

Division Two leaders Pitsmoor Hotel hit nine for the second week in a row to extend their lead to five points. Bottom club Tosalisana were the unlucky side on the wrong end this week, but after Scott Spiers had put Pitsmoor ahead, Sacko Mory gave them a fright when he levelled for the visitors.

It didn't stay level for long though as Geoff Davies restored Pitsmoor's lead and Spiers added his second before the break. The second half was one-way traffic and more goals came at regular intervals for the home side.

Leon Stocks got onto the end of the move of the game to make it four before Spiers headed in at the far post to complete his hat-trick. Two penalties then allowed Stocks to complete a second hat-trick, before Davies chipped in his second and Richard Shipston headed home the ninth.

Loxley had lead the table in the early part of the season, but a run of seven games without a win had seen them fall out of the promotion race. They had tried most things to halt the run without success, but this time an experiment with a change of wingers paid off against Wadsley Bridge Travellers.

Craig Crownshaw was already causing problems down the flanks before his corner was met with a towering header from Geoff Mayfield and a second followed when Crownshaw crashed a left foot volley past the keeper. Tom Sheldon was causing just as many problems down the other flank and he hit a left foot shot low past the keeper to end the game as a contest. Kev Barnes struck Loxley's fourth into the roof of the net and Carl Wells slid a fifth under the keeper to complete the scoring.

Report week ending Sunday 19 Feb 2006

Dronfield stumble in The Park, but Steels also edge towards safety

The last place in the League Cup semi finals was taken by Woodhouse West End after their 4-0 victory at Division Two Ecclesfield Travellers. James Walters made the most of his leave from the forces to head them in front and he made it two before the break when he netted from the spot after Dale Fuller had been brought down in the area.

Walters completed his hat-trick in the second half with a brilliant solo run and Wayne Fuller hit their fourth late on to confirm their place in the semi finals for a second season in succession.

West End's neighbours Woodhouse George also had a hat-trick hero in Michael Blythen as they cemented their place at the top of the CBC Premier with a 7-3 victory at Royal Oak Pitsmoor, but it was something of a flattering scoreline as the division's bottom club gave them a real run for their money for much of the game.

Even though George led 3-0, Oak had had more than their fair share of the game and deservedly pulled one back before the break with a John Mellor penalty. The second half saw Craig Jones produce two quality finishes to drag Oak level, but a defensive error allowed George to go back in front from the penalty spot and goals from Chris Towey, Paul Hancock and Michael Brown in the last ten minutes made the victory look much more emphatic than it actually was.

It allowed George to stretch their lead to eleven point though as second place Dronfield Town stumbled at The Park. Town had won the seven goal thriller the two sides produced the week before and it looked good for them again when Craig Butler put them in front, but The Park hit back and led at the interval with Lee Bridges and Steve McMain strikes.

McMain hit his second straight after the break to put The Park in control and even though Nick Horsfield pulled one back, Matt Hill hit a fourth for The Park to make the points safe.

It turned out to be a vital a vital three points for The Park as any other result would have left them in the bottom three after Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' also claimed a victory in their fight to avoid the drop. They entertained Handsworth WMC and like The Park, Steels fell behind just before half time to a Daniel Franklin strike, but amazingly, two goals in as many minutes by Andy Hibbert and Nick Ward had Steels in front by the interval.

A third from Adam Todd midway through the second half made sure Steels took all three points and the defeat also dragged Handsworth back into the relegation struggle.

In a much worse position, though, are Crookes Club and after their 8-1 hammering by Hemsworth Villa, Crookes are now just one more defeat from a certain place in the bottom two.

Lee Webber was Villa's main destroyer hitting six of his sides goals and he would have had a seventh had it not been for a penalty save by Richard Walker. Ian Holmes and Mick Hague hit Villa's others while Scott Bennett netted Crookes only consolation.

The big game in Division One saw Bagshaw Arms revive their promotion hopes and dampen those of Niagara by beating them 5-3. Two goals from Alex Yule and others from Oliver Wilson and Lee Connor had Bagshaw in full control, but Matt Stag scored a free kick to pull one back and when Leon Pigott and Simon Staniforth grabbed two more, Niagara had an unlikely point in their sights until a fifth for Bagshaw by James Sullivan settled their nerves. Bagshaw failed to make up any ground on any of the other promotion challengers as they all won.

Despite a much improved display by the bottom club Oxspring United, leaders Laycock Sports came away with a 3-0 victory. Laycock's had Danny Milner in their ranks after a spell serving his country in Iraq and he made the most of it, causing all  kinds of problems down the left and netting twice in the first half before Sam Sequerra hit a late third. Oxspring had chances of their own and had Dan Donovan and Alan Crofts made the most of the best two, it might have been a different story.

Doubles by Dave Thompson and Brian Maguire gave Lord Nelson a comfortable victory over a Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B' side that never got going, while Burgoyne Arms recovered from going behind early on to hit eight at Civil Service.

After Martin Kitridge had hit the target for Service it was one way traffic and Darren Firth and Simon Marcus goals quickly had Arms 3-1 in front. Michael Searle pulled one back for the home side and he was later to net his second, but with Scott Arnold supplying the ammunition Arms were just too hot for Service. Nicky Eadon got his name on the scoresheet before Marcus completed his hat-trick and Firth went one better with four.

The highest scorers in the division though were Telecom Sports who hit nine past a bemused Oughtibridge Village. Simon Smith and Adam Podmore both grabbed doubles, with Lee Johnson from the penalty spot, Paul Marrison, Luke Marrison, Richard Hanson and an own goal completing Telecom's tally, while Ross Phillips and Matthew Webster hit a couple of consolations for the visitors.

Another side to hit nine was Pitsmoor Hotel and with previous leaders Hartley House losing out to Ball Boys, it sent Pitsmoor to the top of Division Two for the first time. Capita Hartshead were Pitsmoor's generous hosts and although keeper Shaun Smith kept them in the game before half time, he could do little to stop Pitsmoor running riot. Glynn Walker grabbed three, Jamie Pugh two, and their others came from Scott Spiers, Paul Fox, Thomas Pyecroft and Leon Stocks, while Capita's sole reply came from John Fairfax on his return from injury.

A Will Blakeney treble for Ball Boys proved more than enough for Hartley House who lost both their top spot and their discipline as they could only muster a single reply from Darren Barkes.

Hollin Bush made light of the fact that they had several absentees to come away from Cutlers Arms with a 3-2 victory. Michael Simpson netted twice and Daniel Cooper hit their third, while Anthony Sidney and Mick Eaton netted Cutlers replies.

Half Moon's victory over Tosalisana was more conclusive with a Nathan Kingswood treble, two from Glynn Woodhouse and one from Lee Walker giving Moon a 6-3 victory. Tosalisana will take some heart from it though and their improved performance was rewarded with two goals from Modan Rodrigues and one from Sacko Moy .

Report week ending Sunday 12 Feb 2006

Villa and Stannington stay on course for Bramall Lane

After finding themselves two goals behind, Stannington Village produced a remarkable second half fightback against fellow CBC Premier side Redmires to take their place in the League Cup semi finals and they were joined by holders Hemsworth Villa, but only after they were given a magnificent fight by Division Two Woodseats Abbey.

Luke Siggs chipped the Stannington keeper on the stroke of half time to give Redmires the lead and the second half was only a couple of minutes old when Siggs hit a shot into the corner to double his side's advantage.

Stunned by that Stannington changed their formation and it quickly paid dividends when Ben Palmer fired home. Simon Howe then grabbed an equaliser and with Stannington now on top Wayne Bird drilled home to give them the lead, before Howe netted again to make the game safe.

Hemsworth Villa had the better of the first half and led when Lee Webber fed Craig Scholey to fire home. Lee Rodgers produced a superb glancing header to double that lead before the break, but instead of folding Abbey began to fight back and it needed a superb Jamie King save to stop them reducing the arrears.

Abbey continued to take the game to Villa after the interval and they were eventually rewarded when Tony Slater headed home. Villa were shaken by that, but even though they were being pressed back, they showed how dangerous they can be on the break and Webber cottoned on to a Lee Rodgers pass to book their passage into the semi finals.

In the CBC Premier Dronfield Town just came out on top of a real thriller with The Park to go second in the table. Nick Horsfield ans Ian Parkes gave Town a two goal half time lead, but after Horsfield added a third it was The Park that took control and goals by Steve McMain, Lee Bridges and Matt Hill brought them right back into it. It proved all in vain though when Ben Kastell hit home a late winner.

That defeat didn't do much for The Park's battle to stay out of the bottom three and now breathing right down their necks is Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' after they completed a comfortable 5-1 victory at Royal Oak Pitsmoor. Andy Hibbert, Adam Todd and Nick Ward put Steels three up in the first half and they added two more in the second half through Julian Wilkinson and a headed second by Hibbert, while John Mellor netted Oak's consolation.

Handsworth WMC did their hopes of avoiding the struggle a power of good when they came away from second bottom Crookes Club with a 6-2 victory. Daniel Franklin put them ahead early on only to see it cancelled out by David Rowe, but Andy Stevens had Handsworth back in front just before half time and just after the break Franklin hit a second to put them in control.

Scott Abramski added a fourth for Handsworth before Paul Gibson pulled one back for Crookes, but any thoughts of a fight back were shattered by two more for Franklin.

Laycock Sports narrowly defeated Niagara to stay top of Division One and Pen Nook thrashed Oughtibridge Village to stay with them, but Bagshaw Arms's hopes suffered a real setback when they were thumped 5-1 at Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B'.

Glen Chapman and John Ward had Steels two up at the interval and although Lee Connor pulled one back from the penalty spot, a Ward penalty regained Steels two goal lead. Bagshaw were then run ragged by the home side and another from Chapman and one from Phil Cookson completed Arms heaviest defeat for almost three years.

In a terrific game at Niagara, leaders Laycock Sports were strong in the first half, although after containing the early pressure, Niagara's Rikki Parssison had a chance to break the deadlock but saw his effort go the wrong side of the post. Laycock's looked dangerous from set pieces but strong handling from Niagara goalkeeper Steve Brady ensured there was no way through and the game stayed goalless at half time.

Niagara started the second period stronger, but Laycocks Gary McWilliams was 
causing real concern to the Niagara defence and he got on the end of a Simon Bartles cross to put them ahead. Niagara's man of the match Matt Stagg was creating some good moves from the centre of midfield, but it was that man McWilliams who struck again when he sent an awkward shot over the keeper off the underside of the bar to make it 2 - 0.

As has happened often this season Niagara refuse to go down without a fight 
and on 75 minutes a fierce Carl Boldock shot was deflected in by Ryan Dunn to create an interesting last 15 minutes and they had two golden chances to take a share of the points. First Jez Ward found himself unmarked in front of goal but managed to screw his volley wide of the upright and after substitute Craig Foster sprung the offside trap, he shot wide with only the keeper to beat and the leaders held on.

Pen Nook had no such scares at Oughtibridge Village as three from Daniel McLean and singles from Damien Smith, Mark Woodcock and Martin Semple gave Nook a very comfortable 6-1 victory. Ross Phillips strike being the home side's only consolation.

Lord Nelson climbed up to third, but only after a little bit of help from opponents Burgoyne Arms. It had been a very sporting game, but Arms took it a bit too far when one of their defenders hit the ball past his own keeper for the games only goal.

Telecom Sports boosted their survival hopes with a very convincing 7-2 victory at bottom side Oxspring United. Adam Podmore, Simon Smith and Paul Marrison all hit doubles and their other came from Daniel May, while United's consolations came from leading scorer Alan Crofts.

Civil Service also boosted their hopes with an even more emphatic 6-0 victory at Jordanthorpe Hotel. Trevor Daniels hit two of them while the others came from Martin Ktridge, Mark Simms, Ian Stone and Michael Searle.

Hartley House knew that even a point would take them back to the top of Division Two and even though they were strong favourites to get more than that, a very late equaliser by Wadsley Bridge Travellers meant that was all they got.

Although House scored twice in the first half, they went in level as one of them was into their own net. They then looked to be taking all three points when Jamie Grayson hit his second of the game, but Richard Bates late strike for the visitors meant that second from bottom Bridge went home with a surprise point.

Pitsmoor Hotel are now just a point behind House and they look a stronger bet for the title as they have three games in hand. Two first half strikes by Scott Spiers put Pitsmoor in control at Hollin Bush and even though a defensive slip allowed Lee Sweet to pull one back for the home side, James Pugh made the points safe for Pitsmoor.

Half Moon must have thought they had blown their chance of progress into promotion contention when they missed a first half penalty at Ball Boys, but when they were awarded a second one late in the game Andy Smith made no mistake to give Moon all three points.

With a leap of four places, Lynthorpe Oak are the biggest movers after Neil Midgley, Shaun Dolby and two Steve Fairbank strikes gave them a 4-0 victory over Capita Hartshead, but moving in the opposite direction are Loxley after their 1-1 draw with Cutlers Arms made it seven games without a win.

Tom Shelton gave away the early penalty that allowed Mark Franklin to put Cutlers ahead and it was the visitors that had slightly the better of the first half, but it was a different story after the break and after Simon Mirfin's effort rebounded to him, John Rhodes grabbed a deserved equaliser for Loxley. They looked likely to go on to win it, but after Geoff Mitchell's late effort hit the bar and came out Loxley's winless run continued..

Report week ending Sunday 5 Feb 2006

Cup Joy for Bagshaw, while Stringfellow club's George title hopes

After seeing his late penalty saved, James Sullivan went from zero to hero for Division One Bagshaw Arms after his even later goal saw them claim the first League Cup semi final place at the expense of CBC Premier Handsworth WMC.

Bagshaw started shakily and Ryan Taylor gave Handsworth a third minute lead and even though Simon Warren soon levelled, midway through the first half, Bagshaw were behind again when Carl Eaton tapped home after the Bagshaw keeper could only parry a shot to him.

Bagshaw were now having more of the game, but it needed a fumble by the Handsworth keeper to allow Warren to level again. Both sides then had chances to win it, the best of which came Sullivan's way when Bagshaw were awarded a penalty, but he could only stare in disbelief at the Handsworth keeper's stunning save.

Bagshaw weren't to be denied though and when Warren's snapshot came back off a post Sullivan was on hand to smash the ball home and put them into their first ever semi final.

After not dropping a single point until two weeks ago, CBC Premier leaders Woodhouse George were held for a second week in succession when Adam Stringfellow's goal for The Park cancelled out Wes Pierce's strike for George. It looked to have got even worse for George, but the referee ruled the another Park effort hadn't crossed the line.

Neither Hemsworth Villa nor Stannington Village took take full advantage though as they fought out a draw that saw them both slip a couple of places in the table. Stannington started the brighter and took a deserved lead through Barry Palmer's deflected shot and they looked certain to take all the points when Michael Barnes' shot was also deflected past the keeper to put them two up.

Villa were handed a lifeline when Mark Hopkinson was brought down in the area and Lee Webber coolly slotted home and in the second half Webber was on hand to collect Scott Moat's through ball to level. Although both sides had chances after that, it needed a brilliant Jamie King save to stop Stannington grabbing a last gasp winner.

The biggest threat to Woodhouse George's title now looks to be coming from their neighbours Woodhouse West End, who had no trouble against a weakened Royal Oak Pitsmoor. First half goals from Dale Fuller and Spencer Taylor were followed after the break by a James Walter treble and a Chris Stokes solo goal.

Dronfield Town took third place with victory over a Crookes Club that gave them a real fright. A Pete Myers penalty, one from Ross Carey and a third from Danny Gibbons saw Town firmly in control at the interval, but Crookes hit back in the second half through Kev Haigh and Lee Roome and Town were fortunate to hang on.

That defeat saw Crookes slip a place as Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' leapt over them when a great Adam Todd finish turned out to be the games only goal against Redmires. The visitors had two penalty appeals turned down, but it was Steels that played the better football and deserved the three points that gives them real hope of escaping the drop.

Sam was the man for Laycock Sports to stay top of Division One, but they and all the top sides were made hard to work for victories.

John Ward gave Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B' an early lead, but Laycock's ace marksman Sam Sequerra hit a quick fire double to put the leaders ahead, and when a Simon Bartles free kick and a Steve Morris strike gave them a 4-1 half time lead it looked all over.

A change of tactics at the interval worked wonders for Steels and Luke Birkinshaw and Phil Cookson goals had Laycock's on the back foot, but they rallied and Sequerra sealed the points with his hat-trick.

Second place Pen Nook grabbed an early lead at home to Civil Service and a real poachers goal from Daniel McLean had them two up after just ten minutes, but instaed of folding, the visitors hit back through Ian Stone and looked the more likely to get another, until super-sub Steve Marshall tapped home a third for Loxley after the Service keeper fumbled a through ball.

Niagara found it even harder at Telecom Sports and were twice behind to long range strikes by Paul Marrison and Simon Smith, but Jeremy Smith headed a first equaliser and stabbed home a second before Craig Foster hit what turned out to be the winner. They wouldn't have gone home with all the points though had keeper Steve Brady not brilliantly saved Andy Fitzmaurice's penalty and follow up late in the game.

Gary Cooper gave Burgoyne Arms the lead at bottom club Oxspring United, but the home side levelled through Alan Crofts before the break and had he not missed several further chances Burgoyne might well have been out of the game. It took Scott Arnold to show him how to finish to restore Arms' lead and normal keeper Chris Green wood having to make a rare appearance on the wing sealed the points for Arms late on.

Alough Dave Thompson's opener for Lord Nelson at home to Oughtibridge Village was cancelled out by David Hudson, Nelson went back in front through John Wood. Danny Wilkinson added a third, but Craig Couldwell pulled one back for Village and Nelson were left hanging on at the end.

Despite dominating at Cutlers Arms, Division Two leaders Ecclesfield Travellers only goal in the first half came from Craig Senior, but when leading scorer Jason Reeves came off the subs bench at half time there was no stopping him and his treble gave Travellers a comfortable 4-0 win.

Despite a Regus Mogan strike foir the home side, Hartley House's victory over Tosalisana was just as comfortable with Danny Hewitt, Mick Smith, Darren Barks and two from James Todd giving them a 5-1 victory.

With Woodseats Abbey being held to a goalless draw by Loxley, Pitsmoor Hotel climbed to third with a last gasp victory over Ball Boys. James Steel gave Pitsmoor a first half lead, but they too looked as if they would have to settle for a point when Craig Woolley hit a desrved equaliser for ball. Pitsmoor never gave up though and in the final minute Scott Spiers headed their winner.

Half Moon weren't as fortunate though and lost ground as Shaun Collins and Shaun Pope goals weren't enough to stop them slipping to defeat by Capita Hartshead. Tom Franklin, James Ferris and Richard Dunk did the damage for Capita, who are now level on points with Moon.

Lynthorpe Oak gave their hopes of avoiding having to apply for re-election with a fourth win from their last five, 4-2 at Wadsley Bridge Travellers. Dave Gleeson put Bridge ahead, but Steve Fairbank and Hilton Stratford strikes had Oak in front by half time. Bridge then wasted a penalty before Stratford hit his second after the break, and although Gleeson's second gave Bridge hope, Matt Nesta finally made the points safe for Oak..

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