Report week ending Sunday 29 Jan 2006

George held by Village people, Register cashes in for Laycock's & House Bush-whacked

The League's last one hundred percent record went when CBC Premier leaders Woodhouse George let a two goal lead slip before being held by second place Stannington Village. Division One leaders Laycock Sports nearly did the same at second place Pen Nook until Andy Register cashed in with a late penalty to win it for Laycock's, but Division Two has new leaders after Hollin Bush whacked Hartley House allowing Ecclesfield Travellers to leapfrog House with victory over Capita Hartshead.

Shaun Waller gave Woodhouse George an early lead and when Wes Pierce first won then scored a penalty they looked to be in complete control of second place Stannington Village, but Village began to get back into the game and the second half wasn't too old when Jon Wigfield reduced the arrears.

George didn't help their own cause by having a player dismissed and they paid the ultimate price when from the free kick Steve Taylor's shot took a deflection past the George keeper. Stannington could even have gone on and won it, but they will be almost as happy to have ended George's record.

Woodhouse West End's game with Royal Oak Pitsmoor was even more dramatic and with the game tied up at 1-1 the referee had to abandon the game after two Oak players suffered suspected broken legs.

Hemsworth Villa climbed to third after they won easily at Crookes Club. Lee Webber charged down the keeper's clearance to score Villa's first and before half time Lee Rodgers and Mick Hague had added four more. Crookes did better in the second half, but couldn't stop Webber adding his second and Rodgers completing his hat-trick.

Although Andy Stevens had given Handsworth WMC the lead at Redmires, the home side were in front at half time thanks to Ian Gambling's free kick and a Nick Milnes strike. After the break, although Ryan Taylor briefly levelled for Handsworth, Redmires went back in front when Nick Milnes cross was turned into his own net by a defender, but had it not been for two goal line clearances by Dale White, Redmires would surely have let some of the points slip.

That win moved Redmires further away from the relegation struggle and both Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' and The Park both lost ground after they fought out a 1-1 draw, with Chris Kelly's goal for Steels and Steve McMain's for The Park both coming in the first half.

The top of the table clash between leaders Laycock Sports and second place Pen Nook was watched by Owls boss Paul Sturrock and he can only have been impressed by a game that had just about everything.

Gary McWilliams headed Laycock's in front and when Sam Sequerra headed Kirk Hardman's cross home to double their lead it looked as if they would win comfortably, but Nook had other ideas and after the break Mark Woodcock and Danny McLean strikes saw them level. Nook went flat out for the winner they knew they needed, but victory went Laycock's way when Gary McWilliams was upended in the box and veteran striker Andy Register cashed in with the winner from the spot.

Another late penalty sealed Bagshaw Arms win at Niagara, but before it the game had produced an epic struggle. Bagshaw dominated the first half and a Lee Connor volley and a Mark Sanderson's header saw them two up at the interval, but after some stern talking at half time Niagara came out all guns blazing.

A header from Tom Staniforth on the hour set the scene for a possible comeback and when Staniforth was brought down in the box ten minutes later, Carl Boldock stepped up to convert the penalty to level. Although Bagshaw lokked rattled.  they held strong through constant pressure from Niagara and regained the lead against the run of play when Alex Yule headed home.

With skipper Brendan Burns spurring them on, Niagara's never say die attitude this season saw them draw level once again when substitute Craig Foster headed in a perfect cross from Craig Lonsdale, but just as the game looked like heading for a stalemate, Niagara's Gareth Power needlessly brought down Yule in the box and James Sullivan rammed home the penalty to win it for Bagshaw.

Burgoyne Arms stayed right with them with a 4-0 victory over Oxspring United. Scott Marcus took advantage of a fumble by the keeper to give Arms a first half lead and after the break, full back Matt Roberts doubled their lead with well worked move. Darren Firth then turned in the box to hit home Arms' third and Dale Hirst capped the win off with a fourth from the edge of the area.

After a goalless first half, Lord Nelson's climb up the table continued as two Danny Wilkinson strikes a Lee Jubb own goal and one from Sam Coulby was much too much for Russ White's single goal for Civil Service.

Telecom Sports rise also continued with a comfortable 7-1 victory at Jordanthorpe Hotel. Adam Podmore and a Lee Johnson penalty gave Telecom a two goal half time lead and although Rob Ross pulled one back, Jordanthorpe had a player dismissed and Telecom took full advantage. Johnson netted two more, Simon Smith netted and two own goals confirmed a miserable day for the home side.

Despite falling behind to an early David Black strike, Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B' had an even bigger victory at Oughtibridge Village. John Ward added to his growing reputation with four goals, Luke Birkinshaw weighed in with three and Andy Horsfall and Lee Shepherd made it nine, while Oughtibridge managed just one more from David Hudson.

Leading through a Danny Hewitt strike with just a few minutes left, hartley House must have thought their place at the top of Division two was safe, but Hollin Bush had other ideas and late Ryan Kirk and Oliver Sayles goals turned the result on its head.

That gave Ecclesfield Travellers the chance to reclaim top spot and although they fell behind to Colin Green's scuffed shot, they made no mistake by beating Capita Hartshead 7-4. Ben Hill, two from Craig Senior and one from Anthony Hutchinson had Ecclesfield 4-1 up by the break.

Craig Senior added two more, but several changes by Ecclesfield nearly came unstuck when Tom Franklin grabbed his second hat-trick in as many weeks for Capita. Ecclesfield steadied the ship though and Chris Brown made sure the points would go their way.

Loxley's decline continued with a 2-1 home defeat by Pitsmoor Hotel. When the ball rebounded to him off the keeper, Richard Shipston knocked home the loose ball from all of forty yards to give Pitsmoor the lead, but Loxley finally turned possion into a goal when Mick Smith's corner flew in off the keeper. Loxley couldn't convert further possion into goals and paid the price when Scott Spiers netted Pitsmoor's winner.

Half Moon also slipped up at home with Lynthorpe Oak confirming their recent improvement with a 3-1 victory. Steve Fairbank, Jamie Kerr and Sean Bell goals saw Oak in control before Nathan kingswood's consolation for the home side.

Woodseats Abbey made no mistake though as they brushed Tosalisana aside 6-1. Chris leek and Jason Ball both netted doubles along with an own goal and Paul Kilcoyne's first goal for Abbey after five years with the club, while Noah Manzi netted for Tosalisana.

Ben Prior made an instant impact on his debut for Ball Boys and they will get themselves into the promotion fray if they can grind out some more victories like the one at Wadsley Bridge. After Prior was brought down in the box, Will Blakeney gave Ball the lead and Prior then beat the offside trap to double it after just fifteen minutes. After the break Neil Whitworth pulled one back for Bridge, but Ball hung on to take all three points.

Report week ending Sunday 22 Jan 2006

Sullivan double sends Bagshaw through

Two James Sullivan strikes helped Bagshaw Arms to overcome fellow Division One side Laycock Sports and take the final League Cup quarter final spot, while it was a red letter day in the CBC Premier for Royal Oak Pitsmoor as a John Mellor treble helped them to a 4-4 draw at Handsworth WMC and Oak's first point of the season.

After Sullivan gave Bagshaw an early lead, a steady build up of pressure saw Gary Ellis struck an equaliser for Laycock's, but right on the stroke of half time Mark Sanderson put Bagshaw back in front.

The second half wasn't too old when Sullivan was brought down in the area and he picked himself up to smash home the spot kick. Laycock's came storming back and Sam Sequerra reduced the arrears, but they just couldn't find another as Bagshaw held on for a first ever appearance in the quarter finals.

Royal Oak Pitsmoor fell behind to Andy Stevens' early goal for Handsworth WMC and although John Mellor levelled midway though the first half, an own goal saw them go into the break behind again.

Despite Mellor grabbing his second to level again, when Scott Abramski and Carl Eaton gave Handsworth a two goal advantage it looked as if Oak's first point would have to wait another week, but for once all Oak's hard work paid off and they gained that first point with one from Scott Empsey and Mellor's hat-trick goal.

Woodhouse West End went second in the table after hitting eleven past a bemused Crookes Club. Lee Glaves hit three, Jamie Walters two and Crookes didn't help their own cause by hitting two own goals.

That saw them overtake Dronfield Town after they were beaten for a second game in succession by Stannington Village. Village beat them in the cup the weekend before, but a repeat looked unlikely when a first half Pete Myers penalty and a second half goal from Adam Fordham gave Town a two goal lead.

Stannington seemed to be stunned into action and Jon Wigfield netted his first of the season to reduce the arrears before Matt Elliott netted his first ever goal for them to level. A brilliant move by David Hague and Steve Taylor carved the home defence open for Simon Howe to give Stannington the lead and Hague sealed an unlikely win when his long range chip hit both post and keeper before going into the net.

Hemsworth Villa stayed just behind the top four with a comfortable win over Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A'. Mick Hay gave them the lead and Lee Webber's glancing header made it two before half time. Adam Todd pulled one back for the visitors, but Webber netted from the penalty spot to restore Villa's two goal advantage and he beat the offside trap to complete his hat-trick.

Even though a Simon Bradbury effort that appeared to cross the line was not given, Redmires thought Craig Gambling's tenth minute header had proved enough to give them all three points at The Park, but in the final minute the home side levelled after they were awarded a penalty and Matt Hill confidently netted from the spot.

Pen Nook went level at the top of Division One with a narrow victory over Oughtibridge Village, while Niagara stayed right in touch with them by hitting Civil Service for six and Burgoyne Arms brought an end to their poor run with a hard earned victory at Telecom Sports.

Mark Woodcock opened the scoring for Pen Nook and when he got on the end of a Damien Smith cross to send a header looping over the keeper for a second it looked as if they would get a hatful, but Oughtibridge Village had other ideas and Chris Wright pulled one back before half time.

Even though Daniel McLean restored Nook's two goal lead after the break, Village hit back again when Charles Adams shot was deflected past the keeper by Ryan Cockayne, but with Craig Thickett winning the midfield battle for Nook they held on to go joint top.

It wasn't as close for Niagara as they overwhelmed Civil Service 6-1. Mistakes by Service player manager Richard Hodgson were punished by Chris Smith and Tom Staniforth and with Staniforth adding his second, the game was as good as over by the break. Trevor Daniels gave Service a glimmer of hope, but Niagara quickly restored their superiority as Jez Ward grabbed two and Neil Gleadall the other.

Burgoyne Arms' recent poor run looked to be continuing when Simon Smith's expertly taken set piece and Lee Johnson's penalty gave Telecom Sports a two goal lead, but when Simon Marcus set up his brother Scott to pull one back just before half time Burgoyne were right back in it.

With Burgoyne now on top, Scott Marcus levelled with his second and they went in front with a Scott Arnold strike. Telecom rallied though and a second Johnson penalty dragged them level, but it was to end in tears for them as Darren Firth netted a controversial winner for Burgoyne.

Less dramatic was Lord Nelson's victory at Jordanthorpe Hotel, where a single Danny Wilkinson strike in the first half was enough to give the visitors all three points.

Despite having to play most of the game with just eight men, Oxspring United gave their hosts Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' a real fright. John Ward and Glen Chapman twice put Steels ahead only for Alan Crofts to twice level for the plucky visitors. Mick Furniss was working wonders in the United goal, but he was eventually beaten again by Ward and Ward finally finished them off with his third.

Hartley House hung on to their place at the top of Division Two, but only just after Hollin Bush made a real game of it. Darren Barks put House ahead only for Daniel Moyses to level for Bush, but Jamie Grayson had House back in front again before half time. Daniel Cooper again levelled for Bush and it looked as if they might halt House's title charge, but after Ryan Inkles netted a third for House they hung on.

Pitsmoor Hotel are the only side to have beaten Ecclesfield Travellers this season and they must have thought they would do it again after taking a two goal lead, but in the end it was Travellers that gained their revenge.

After Scott Spiers early goal was cancelled out by Jason Reeves header, Spiers went straight down the pitch to put Pitsmoor back in front and it got even better for them when Paul Hind extended their lead, but Craig Senior pulled one back for Ecclesfield and they were level when Reeves lobbed the keeper for his second.

The game could have gone either way at that stage, but the game finally went Travellers way when skipper Sean Whittle's shot beat the keeper after taking a big deflection off Reeves.

Loxley had twice missed the chance to go top and they lost further ground when they slipped to a second successive defeat at Lynthorpe Oak. A Steve Fairbank double and one for Richard Tidy had Oak three up by the break and although Joe Lilleyman pulled one back from close range, Loxley never really got going.

Capita Hartshead led Woodseats Abbey three times but in the end had to settle for a share of ten goals. After Tom Franklin blasted home a free kick to put Capita ahead after just 42 seconds, he soon added a second and although a John Kilcoyne penalty pulled one back for Abbey a Dave Thompson free kick restored Capita's two goal lead.

Abbey hit back with a Mark Richards header and they levelled when Chris Leek's corner flew straight into the net, but they were behind again before half time when Franklin completed his hat-trick. The pace didn't let up after the break and although Leek again levelled the scores, Jim Linfoot put Capita ahead for a third time, but they couldn't hold on to it again and Adrian Vonwurzbach completed the scoring for Abbey.

Wadsley Bridge Travellers went to Cutlers Arms looking for a fourth straight win and when John Williams put them ahead from the penalty spot before half time, they looked on course, but Alex Stancill dragged Cutlers level and Bridge shot themselves in the foot with an own goal winner for Cutlers..

Report week ending Sunday 15 Jan 2006

Archer twice hits the bullseye as Ecclesfield Travel on

Despite losing almost half their team to a flu outbreak, Division Two Ecclesfield Travellers continue to fly the League banner in the County FA Junior Sunday Cup after Gary Archer twice hit the bullseye to shoot down a Kinsley Coronation WMC that had not previously lost a game all season. But there was disappointment for The Park who crashed out to Ring O'Bells and Woodhouse West End's run in the Senior Cup also came to an end at Station Hotel.

Ecclesfield drew first blood when Scott Johnson created the opening for Archer to fire home, but they then found themselves penned back by their visitors and it was no surprise when they eventually levelled with a penalty award. Kinsley continued to have the lion's share of the game, but a mixture of good defending and poor finishing kept them taking the lead and when Ecclesfield were awarded a penalty it was Archer that stepped up to score and send his side through to the semi finals.

The Park were strongly fancied to join them, but just as Laycock Sports had found the week before, they met a very good Ring O'Bells side from Kimberworth and crashed out 4-0. Woodhouse West End's great run in the Senior Sunday Cup also came to an end at Station Hotel, but only after they were denied what both sides thought was a clear penalty in the final few seconds of the game.

It looked good for West End when Dave Kippax came up from the back to give them the lead early in the second half, but things started to go wrong when Statioin levelled with a goal that had more than a hint of offside about it and it with ten minutes remaining another goal that had defenders claiming offside put Station in front.

If Station's goals had caused a stir, the biggest controversy was saved until the dying moments of the game when Dale Fuller was brought down in the box, but with both sides expecting the penalty award, the referee instead gave a free kick to the home side and West End's hopes were gone.

The delayed all-CBC Premier League Cup tie between Stannington Village and Dronfield Town finally went ahead and it was former holders Stannington that Barnes-stormed their way to a place in the quarter finals. David Hague fired them into an early lead and when Michael Barnes added two more with less than thirty minutes on the clock it looked as if Stannington had comfortably sealed the tie, but John Bean pulled one back just before the break to give Dronfield hope.

Dronfield continued to press and when Ben Kastell netted a second for them it really was game-on and the tie could easily have gone in their favour, but both sides missed chances and Stannington hung on to go through.

In the league Woodhouse George took advantage of their main title rivals cup involvement to open up a twelve point gap at the top of the CBC Premier with victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A', but they didn't have it all their own way and had to come from behind to claim the points.

George took the lead when Wes Pierce fired home an early penalty, but Steels hit back strongly and after Chris Kelly levelled, Richard Gill put them ahead. Like in so many games, the longer the it went on the stronger George got though and on the hour mark Pierce volleyed his second level and soon after he completed his hat-trick to put George back in front. Steels tried to respond and had Adam Todd taken a one-on-one chance they may well have taken something from the game, but as it was Michael Blythen sealed the points for George with an overhead kick in the dying minutes.

Further down the CBC Premier table both Redmires and Handsworth WMC gained wins to ease any fears of becoming involved in the relegation scrap. Redmires took an early lead against Crookes Club when Luke Siggs was felled in the area and he picked himself up to score from the spot, but, after a foul in the area by Jamie Minchin, Crookes then levelled from the spot.

A third penalty was awarded when Siggs was again felled in the area, but although he missed from the spot it proved to be the turning point of the game as Crookes had their keeper dismissed for the foul that led to it and Des Pike, John Dale and Simon Bradbury all took advantage of an overworked Crookes defence to give Redmires a 4-1 victory.

Handsworth's victory at Royal Oak Pitsmoor was less dramatic, although it was against the run of play when an error by the Oak keeper gifted Robert Pratt the opener for Handsworth just before half time. Oak still continued to give Handsworth problems, but they couldn't find a cutting edge and midway through the second half Andy Stevens doubled the visitors lead. Scott Empsey did manage to pull one back for Oak, but their search for an equaliser left gaps at the back and Stevens netted his second to clinch it for Handsworth.

Division One leaders Laycock Sports recovered from their County FA Cup defeat the previous week in the best possible way, with one of their best performances of the season hitting an in-form Telecom Sports for six. Sam Sequerra started the rout off, Gary McWilliams added a second and before half time Matt Kent produced the type of finish Matt Le Tissier would have been proud of for Laycock's third. With Kirk Hardman driving his side on, the second half was just as one-sided and McWilliams hit his second before the diminutive Steve Morris chipped in with a couple of cheeky finshes.

Pen Nook stayed just three points behind them with a victory over Burgoyne Arms that looked comfortable for most of the game, but finished up a bit of a scramble to the finishing line. Volleys by Ben Bissatt and Ryan Cockayne gave Nook a two goal half time lead and when Mark Titman beat the offside trap to net a Nook's third the game looked all over. A Paul Randall own goal gave Burgoyne a glimmer of hope and when Scott Marcus's shot fooled the keeper they were right back in it, but Nook managed to hold on.

After James Shepherd's first half opener for Niagara was cancelled out by Oughtibridge Village's David Hudson, Niagara grabbed a narrow victory when Craig Foster rounded the home keeper to hit the winner that keeps them in third place, but breathing down their necks is Bagshaw Arms after they had a much easier 5-0 victory at Civil Service. Alex Yule started the scoring and further goals from James Sullivan, Richard Dale and Mark Sanderson before half time put the game beyond the home side, Service did do better in the second half though and restricted Bagshaw to just one further goal from Yule.

Lord Neldon took another step away from the foot of the table by hammering Oxspring United 6-1. Dave Thompson hit two of Nelson's goals while their others came from Sam Coulby, Scott Middleton, John Dickens and Daniel Wilkinson. Oxspring's consolation came from Chris Hall, but they are now in big trouble and with a side that has a combined age of about four hundred, they could do with some new younger blood to help them.

Despite remaining next to bottom, Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B' are beginning to look as if they could get themselves out of trouble after they came away from Jordanthorpe Hotel with a well deserved 4-2 victory. Michael Smith and Glen Chapman gave Steels a two goal lead before David Gouge pulled one back just before half time, but after the interval Lee Shepherd and Luke Birkinshaw extended Steels lead before Daniel Barnes netted a second for Jordanthorpe and any hopes the home side had of getting back into it disappeared with a miss from the penalty spot.

Hartley House took advantage of Ecclesfield Travellers cup involvement to take over their top spot with a ten goal victory over a Tosalisana side that has conceded over a hundred goals in just fourteen games. Mick Smith helped himself to a hat-trick and he was joined by seven others on the team sheet, but Tosalisana deserve some credit for never giving up.

For the second week running Loxley missed the chance to go top when they went down 2-1 at Ball Boys. Ball had denied them the week before by holding them to a draw, so Loxley knew this would be a tricky task and after Scott Parkin squandered an early penalty for them, their third miss from the spot this season,  their fears were confirmed when Ryan McGuiness gave Ball a first half lead. Craig Crownshaw did manage to level for Loxley, but his good work was undone when Jon Riley smashed home a twenty five yard free kick for Ball's winner. To complete a bad day for Loxley, Danny Gray, just back from a broken leg, suffered a broken arm.

Wins for both Pitsmoor Hotel and Half Moon saw them now go level on points with Loxley. Two Sean Port strikes was enough for Half moon to beat Capita Hartshead, but Pitsmoor had to come from behind to beat Woodseats Abbey. Chrisk Leek gave Abbey their early lead, but Paul Hind and a Mark Richards own goal then put Pitsmoor in front. Darren Davis extended that lead and their fifty year old sub Graham Ward showed he still 'had it' when he slotted home a fourth with his first touch of the ball. Ryan Barker pulled one back for the home side, but it was too little too late.

Cutlers Arms and Wadsley Bridge Travellers both grabbed good wins to improve their chances of avoiding re-election. A double from man of the match Daniel Skinner gave Cutlers the early advantage at Lynthorpe Oak and despite a reply from Sean Dolby, further goals for Cutlers came from Anthony Sidnet and an own goal. Steve Fairbank and Neil Midgely both netted late on for Oak to give their visitors a few late nerves, but they held on for the three points.

Wadsley Bridge fell behind when Daniel Cooper gave Hollin Bush the lead, but David Gleeson levelled for the home side before John Williams put them ahead. Bush then hit back to level through Oliver Sayles, but Bridge were not to be denied a second successive victory and won it with a Neil Whitworth strike and a second from Gleeson.

Report week ending Sunday 8 Jan 2006

West End give late show to grab a last 8 spot and The Park and Ecclesfield Travellers also grab cup glory

Only Woodhouse West End twice came from behind to claim a place in the last eight of the County FA Senior Sunday Cup with victory over Chapeltown WMC and there was success for Blades Super Draw League sides in the Junior Cup as Division Two side Ecclesfield Travellers comfortably beat Division One Burgoyne Arms and they are joined in the last eight by The Park slammed The Jungle from Mexborough.

West End made the last four of the Junior Cup last season and after a win over a Meadowhall side that was achieved without ever getting into top gear, you wouldn't want to bet against them going at least that far again.

After falling behind the first time it was Dave Kippax that levelled and after a penalty award saw them go behind a second time, when they were awarded a spot kick of their own, James Walton kept his nerve to send the tie into extra time.

In extra time West End's famous determination began to show and once David Haley put them in front they never lloked like letting the lead slip before sub Lee Glaves hit a terrific volley to make sure.

Burgoyne Arms are one of the favourites for promotion from Division One so they went to Division Two leaders Ecclesfield Travellers as favourites, but from the moment Gary Highfield gave the home side an early lead there only looked like there would be one winner.

Chris Bryant doubled that lead just before half time and in the second half Highfield showed his prowess in front of goal with two more to complete his hat-trick and give his side a very comfortable victory.

The Park's 7-1 victory over Mexborough's The Jungle was even more emphatic. Matt Hill and Ed Colton both struck twice while Joe Barker, Lee Walker and Andy Hague all added their names to the scoresheet. They now face Kimberworth's Ring O'Bells in the last eight after they completed a shock 3-1 victory over Division One leaders Laycock Sports.

Laycock's never really got going and found themselves a goal down at the interval, and the second half wasn't too old when Bells doubled their lead. Laycock's hit back through Gary McWilliams, but their all out push for an equaliser inevitably left gaps at the back and Bells clinched it with a third in the final minute.

Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B' also went out, but for them it was a catalogue of missed chances that proved their undoing. Lee Shepherd did eventually stick one away for them, but the visiting Wickersley Cricket Club gave them a lesson in finishing to go through 4-1.

In the league, the CBC Premier champions Woodhouse George took another massive step towards retaining their title as they made it ten wins out of ten with a 6-0 victory at Hemsworth Villa.

For a long time it was a much closer game than the scoreline suggests and only two Kirk Briddon strikes separated the sides in the first half, but longer the game went on, the stronger George got and as Villa threw men forward to try to get back into the game the champions took full advantage of the spaces. Wes Pierce helped himself to a hat-trick and Michael Blythen struck the other and it's now hard to see anyone denying George a second successive title.

Dronfield Town haven't given up hope yet though and they took advantage of an illness and injury hit Redmires side to stay second. Despite their problems, for an hour Redmires were only a single Adam Fordham strike behind, but after he hit his second there was only going to be one winner and Danny Gibbons and Nick Horsefield added two more for a 4-0 victory.

Stannington Village ended their lean spell with a 3-0 victory at relegation threatened Crookes Club. It was never an easy win though and going into the final five minutes only a Steve Taylor strike separated the sides, but David Hague made the points safe with Stannington's second and an even later second for Taylor made the victory look easier than it was.

Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A' went to Handsworth WMC knowing that victory was vital if they were going to have aaa realistic chance of getting out of the bottom three and thanks to a single Adam Todd header they came away with all three points, although the win could have been more comfortable if they hadn't missed a second half penalty.

In Division One, Pen Nook spurned the chance to go level with the leaders as Lord Nelson consigned them to a second home defeat of the season. After a goalless first half, Nelson took charge with goals from Spencer Colton and Danny Wilkinson and although Craig Thickett pulled one back for Nook, Wilkinson hit his second to make it safe for the visitors.

Rising quickly is Niagara after they came from behind to beat Jordanthorpe Hotel 3-1. Rob Ross gave Jordanthorpe the lead, but Craig Crosby cancelled it out before half time and Niagara took all three points with second half strikes by Simon Staniforth and Chris Smith.

The day's biggest thriller was at Telecom Sports who continued their revival with a 7-5 victory over old rivals Civil Service. Despite Wayne Facey's strike for Civil Service, they looked dead and buried as a treble from Luke Marrison and one each for Simon Smith and Daniel Mace saw Telecom lead 5-1, but Service came storming back.

Martyn Kittridge hit a quick-fire treble and Service looked likely to get something until their keeper was dismissed for preventing a goalscoring opportunity. Smith took advantage to grab a second and Lee Johnson then hit his first ever goal for Telecom before Alan Pickering hit a fifth for Service.

In Division Two, Loxley missed the chance to go top when they were held by Ball Boys and the division's last unbeaten record went as Half Moon came from two down to win at Pitsmoor Hotel.

Craig Crownshaw headed Loxley in front before half time and they had a big let off when Ball missed from the penalty spot, but it was only a sign of things to come and Ryan McGuiness deservedly levelled for the visitors.

Worse was to come for Loxley as Brent Healey fired Ball ahead and it looked like they would suffer a rare defeat, but with just two minutes remaining Scott Parkin met Mick Smith's cross to leave the sides all square.

It looked good for Pitsmoor Hotel when two Scott Spiers strikes gave them a two goal half time lead, but they had also missed a host of other chances and in the end it was to cost them dear.

Mark Ramsden reduced the arrears soon after the break and when he struck again to level the scores Pitsmoor began to wobble, so it was no surprise when Glen Woodhouse hit a superb third to end Pitsmoor's record and give all three points to a jubilant Moon.

Capita Hartshead had won their previous five games and when Jim Linfoot gave them a fifth minute lead at home to Hartley House things looked good again, but House are made of stern stiuff and after Danny Hewitt levelled, they were in front by half time thanks to a Darren Barkes strike. Capita gave it a real go in the second half, but with just two minutes remaining Matt Hewitt hit a killer third for House.

That moved House to within a point of the leaders and Woodseats Abbey also came from behind to win at Hollin Bush to stay right behind them. Martin Edwards lobbed over keeper Scott Johnson to give Bush the lead midway through the first half, but when John Kilcoyne was brought down in the area he picked himself up to level from the spot.

After showing his prowess from twelve yards, Kilcoyne showed he could score from much further out with as he won it with a free kick that flew past the keeper from all of twenty five yards.

Lynthorpe Oak were a fourth club to come from behind as they overcome a two goal deficit for a third win of the season at Cutlers Arms. Daniel Skinner and Mark Franklin strikes saw Cutlers hold a two goal lead at half time, but a Neil Midgley goal and two Steve Fairbank strikes all within ten minutes of the re-start saw Oak had turn the game on its head and they then held on for all three points.

Wadsley Bridge Travellers also claimed a rare victory when they hit ten past bottom club Tosalisana. John Williams hit three of them and Liam Fairey two, while even kepper Paul Smith got his name on the scoresheet. Tosalisana's consolation came from Jean-Marie Sako..

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