Sunday 31 Dec 2006

The season so far

With no games for a couple of weeks, it's time to reflect on the season so far and have a look at what the rest of the season might bring.

The CBC Premier table has an unfamiliar look about it with reigning champions Woodhouse George in second place and their fiercest rivals Woodhouse West End above them. George have already lost as many games this season as they had done in the previous three seasons and it looks as if the Woodhouse bragging rights will be going to West End this season.

Having won all eight games played so far, West End have been unstoppable in the league this season and after finishing second to George last season, they look odds on to go one better this season. They have scored more than three per game, but it's their defence that their title charge is built on and have conceded just a goal every other game. The only real blip on their season was a League Cup defeat by Division One Ecclesfield Travellers and it's difficult to look elsewhere for the destination of the CBC Premier title.

George will keep chasing and will definitely not give up till the fat lady sings and there have been signs of late that they could be returning to the form that has made them so dominant for the past couple of years. They have West End to play a second time and if they can gain revenge for their earlier defeat, a hat-trick of titles might become more than just a dream.

Niagara are the surprise package of the CBC Premier and they have shown they are more than capable of beating any side on their day. They currently lie in third place, a position that is probably beyond their wildest dreams after gaining promotion last season. Paul Staniforth and Paul Cadman will demand even more of their players in the second half of the season and a top four finish isn't beyond them.

Currently fourth is Hemsworth Villa, but they have games in hand on everyone else and they could become the main threat to West End's title dreams. After losing heavily on the opening day of the season, Villa have put together an unbeaten run and still have to play West End twice. Like West End, Villa will have been disappointed to have gone out of the League Cup to Division One Pitsmoor Hotel, dashing their hopes of a Cup hat-trick, but they would be more than happy if they can pick up the title instead.

Lying fifth is a Redmires side that are probably surprising themselves, but with games in hand on many of the sides around them they could be set for their highest finish for many years. They have lost just twice, but significantly both defeats were inflicted in the only games they have played against sides above them and the second half of the season is likely to be much harder for them.

Handsworth WMC come next and they are another side that have shown they can beat almost anyone, but they are just as likely to lose to almost anyone. Their main ambitions may lie in the League Cup as they are one of just three CBC Premier sides remaining and they might be a good bet for a first visit to Bramall Lane.

Below them is Stannington Village and if it's a surprise that Woodhouse George have lost three games already, it's an even bigger shock that Stannington have lost four already. Only George has scored more than them, but only three sides have conceded more and unless they can rectify their leaky defence they look set for their lowest finish since getting into the CBC Premier.

Lord Nelson come next and although they have shown glimpses of better form, they will probably consider themselves to be on track after promotion last season. Staying up is likely to be seen as a very successful season for them and three more wins might just be enough for them to do it.

Lying just one place above the relegation zone is former champions Laycock Sports and it is something of a surprise that they are doing better. Like Handsworth, their only real chance of success looks to be in the League Cup, but they will need to be more consistent if they want to go all the way.

For a second season in succession Stocksbridge Park Steels are facing an uphill struggle to preserve their place in the top flight. They managed it last season, but only one side has scored fewer goals and unless they can find the net more often, they will find it much harder this time round. Another distraction they have is the League Cup. They are the third remaining CBC Premier side and the only former holder left in the competition and they might not be too bothered about their top flight place if they can make a return to the Lane.

Pen Nook gained promotion to the CBC Premier for the first time ever last season and were expected to find life hard, but they have more than played their part in most of their games and with a bit more luck, holding on to their CBC Premier place might not be beyond them.

Bottom at the moment is The Park and their place in the top flight looks in extreme peril. Just one win, fewest goals scored and most conceded tells its own story, but they won't give in and just six points separates them from a fairly respectable mid table position.

If the destination of the CBC Premier title looks fairly certain, the same cannot be said about the other two divisions. At least seven clubs in each division still have realistic title ambitions and even if the title is decided earlier, the other promotion places look set to go right to the wire.

Division One leaders at the moment are Oxspring United and with just one defeat, they are going to be hard to dislodge, but after a terrific run, Pitsmoor Royal Oak can overtake them if they win their game in hand. Both sides have been a pleasure to watch this season and promotion will be their's if they can keep going, but they do have others breathing down their necks.

Loxley, Ecclesfield Travellers and Woodseats Abbey all have games in hand on the leaders and all will continue to chase them hard, but they are also all still in the League Cup and that could become a bit of a distraction for them.

Loxley have already beaten the league champions Woodhouse George and that kind of form could take them all the way to a League and Cup double, but equally Ecclesfield Travellers knocked Woodhouse West End out of the cup and will harbour similar ambitions. Woodseats Abbey has also beaten CBC premier opponents in the cup and although they find scoring goals hard to come by, they currently have the best defensive record and that could take them all the way to both promotion and Bramall Lane.

One thing all three have in common is that they all try to play the game in the best possible way. Ecclesfield Travellers in particular seem to receive praise from both opponents and referees on a weekly basis, but all three have frequently received good comments from referees throughout the first half of the season and all three are unlikely to change their approach in their efforts to make it to the CBC Premier.

Pitsmoor Hotel is a fourth Division One side left in the cup and although promotion is still a possibility for them, the cup looks their best bet for success this season. They proved they could beat anyone in the competition by putting out two time holders Hemsworth Villa and further success could spur them on in the league.

Mosborough Royal Oak are the fifth Division One side still in the League Cup and they could get an unprecedented treble as they are also in the County FA Cup quarter finals. Just above them are Fletchers and Telecom Sports, who both will believe could get into the promotion race.

Oughtibridge Village and Half Moon currently occupy the relegation places and unless they can put any sort of run together its hard to imagine that either of them can get out of trouble.

The current Division Two leaders is Fairbank-Rhodes, but having played as many as four games more than some of their rivals, staying there looks unlikely and even an automatic promotion place might be beyond them.

Cutlers Arms are one of the clubs with four games in hand and are just a point behind. They are also the division's top scorers and are still unbeaten so they are arguably the current favourites for the title, but the three sides just below them might have something to say about that.

Park & Arbourthorne came into their first season in the league as strong favourites to take the title at the first attempt and their start to the season made it look as if they would run away with it, but they have wobbled of late and been beaten. The County FA Cup might have been a bit of a distraction to them, but now they are out of that they will look to reassert themselves in the league.

Handsworth Old Boys are also in their first season after rejoining the league and after an indifferent start they are looking stronger by the week. They were good enough to beat CBC Premier Redmires in the League Cup and if they keep current standards going they will come very close to the title.

Another of the new clubs, Sportsman Stannington, is also going well and their progress has been built on the division's best defence. Their only two defeats have both been at the hands of Park & Arbourthorne and with those games out of the way, a long unbeaten run could take them all the way to the title.

Both Civil Service and Millhouses Abacrombie will think that promotion is a realistic target. Abacrombie showed they are more than capable by inflicting the defeat on Park & Arbourthorne, but Service will need to avoid conceding as many goals as they have if they want to really get involved in the race.

Colley Club may have left it a bit late to get into the promotion race, but their recent run, which included victory over the leaders Fairbank-Rhodes, suggests that they could throw a few spanners into the works of the others.

With just one win apiece, the bottom three, Woodhouse Angel, Hollin Bush and Lisano Giants aren't likely to be any higher at the end of the season, but they will all continue to try to make an impact and if any of the others takes them lightly then the occasional win might come their way.

All that remains is to wish everyone involved a very Happy and prosperous New Year.

Sunday 17 Dec 2006

CBC Premier - Franklin and Pigott trebles give Handsworth & Niagara a lift

In the CBC Premier, Niagara recovered from the previous week's hammering to hit seven past bottom club The Park and Handsworth WMC were also among the goals as they beat Lord Nelson, while Pen Nook picked up a precious point at Laycock Sports.

Niagara had conceded ten goals the previous week, but this time aided by a terrific performance by Oliver Sayles, they always looked in charge of the game. Liam Pigott celebrated his return to the side with a hat-trick and Simon Staniforth weighed in with two more. Tommy Oxley and Craig Foster took Niagara's tally to seven, while The Park's consolation goals came from Lee Bridges and Phil Sharp.

Handsworth WMC pulled themselves six points clear of the danger zone with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Lord Nelson. They took the lead when Danny Franklin headed Robert Pratt's cross home and before half time Franklin added a second from just outside the area.

After the break, with Adam Newton pulling the strings, Paul Renshaw's cross enabled Dave Cawrey to knock home Handsworth's third before Ryan Taylor set Franklin up for his hat-trick and it was Renshaw that completed the scoring with a header from Dean Brown's cross.

After a goalless first half it looked as if Pen Nook might pick up their third away win of the season when Danny Mclean put them ahead at Laycock Sports. Laycock's thought they had levelled, only to find out that the free kick had been indirect, but with Andy Register refusing to give up on Laycock's cause they managed to take a share of the spoils when Danny Milner fired home with just three minutes remaining.

Division 1 - Pitsmoor over the Moon

In Division One, Pitsmoor Hotel climbed out of the bottom three with a 4-1 home win over bottom club Half Moon. Gavin Davies sidefooted Pitsmoor into the lead and a Scott Szpajer header doubled it before half time.

A Nathan Kingswood strike soon after the break gave Moon some hope that they could get something out of the game, but those hopes were soon dashed when Luke Parwana curled a shot into the far corner and Davies confirmed the win for Pitsmoor with his second near the end.

Division 2 - Colley stun the leaders, while Cutlers held up by Service

Division Two leaders Fairbank Rhodes never seemed to get going and had their title hopes hit by a 2-0 home defeat by a Colley Club finally gaining reward for their performances. After a goalless first half it was Tony Hodge that kept up his rich vein of goals to give Colley the lead and with Colley's Neil Whitworth the outstanding player on the pitch, his side's unexpected victory was confirmed when Delroy Palmer struck the visitors second.

That result meant that Cutlers Arms would have gone top if they had won at Civil Service, but despite taking an early lead through Steve Cousins, they had to settle for a point and second place.

Cousins netted the opener after his strike partner had refused to give up on a lost cause, but they weren't having things all their own way and Service began to get back into the game. The home side should have levelled when they were awarded a penalty for a push in the area, but Alan Pickard rolled his shot wide of the post. They didn't let their heads go down though and were soon level when Andy Smith beat the off side trap to run through and score.

Worse was to come for Cutlers when Richard Hodgson wriggled past a couple of challenges before beating the keeper and only a good save by Lee Budd stopped it getting any worse for the visitors. After the break though it was Cutlers that came out of the traps quickest and they deservedly levelled from a corner when Tom Moynahan bundled the ball home after keeper Dave Marrison had failed to collect the cross.

Both sides had chances after that, but it was Marrison that was the busier of the two keepers and he more than made up for his error with three outstanding saves to deny Cutlers and earn Service a point that keeps them in touch with the promotion pack.

Sunday Junior Cup - Oak march on, but Park fall

In the County FA Sunday Junior Cup it was a mixed day for our two remaining representatives, with Mosborough Royal Oak claiming a quarter final place, but Park & Arbourthorne falling in a five goal thriller at Mexborough.

Mosborough Royal Oak took the game to their highly rated opponents, Rangers from Rotherham and although the first half stayed goalless, Oak wondered how. Will Blakeney hit the bar twice and Richard Gregory and Craig Woolley also struck the woodwork, but their pressure had to tell in the end. When the breakthrough came it was well worth the wait as Steve Wilkinson struck an unstoppable volley from 40 yards and it turned out to be the games only goal.

Park & Arbourthorne took the lead at Mexborough's The Pocket 2003 when John Bates converted Daniel Adkins cross, but the home side were back on level terms by the interval. After the break it was The Pocket's turn to go in front when low shot beat keeper Steve Whitehead, but Park levelled when Carl Hopwood's free kick beat the keeper.

The Mexborough side turned up the heat after that and only a couple of great saves by Whitehead kept Park level, but he was finally beaten by a real thunderbolt of a shot and Park's brave run was brought to a close.

League Cup - Nine Man Steels see off Telecom

Although former holders Stocksbridge Park Steels had nine men for a large part of the game they became the third CBC Premier side through to the last eight of the Blades Super Draw League Cup after an extra time victory over Division One Telecom Sports.

The game was goalless in the first half, but after the interval it was Telecom that broke the deadlock when Lee Johnson's shot went in off a post. It got worse for Steels when they were reduced to nine men, but they somehow found the resolve to hit back and a Chris Kelly strike took the game into extra time and in that extra time it was Steels Adam Todd that fired home the winner.

Sunday 10 Dec 2006

Waterlogged pitches took a heavy toll on our games last weekend and only two league games survived, but like the weather they produced a torrent of goals.

It was a mixed day for Woodhouse, with CBC Premier Champions Woodhouse George gaining revenge over a Niagara side that had beaten them just two weeks ago by hammering them 10-0, but in Division Two, Woodhouse Angel were on the wrong end of a 9-2 thrashing by fellow strugglers Colley Club.

Like his team Woodhouse George, last season's CBC Premier leading scorer, Wes Pierce, had been strangely out of sorts of late, but both George and Pierce suddenly found their form to leave Niagara shell-shocked.

Chris Towey both started and finsihed the rout off, but it was four goal Pierce that was the destroyer in chief, although not far behind him was hat-trick man Michael Blythen. Gareth Simons netted George's other as an understrength Niagara simply had no answer to the home side's attack.

In stark contrast, Woodhouse Angel probably wished their game had also fallen to the weather after they stumbled to a big defeat at a Colley Club just one place above them in the table.

Colley knew that victory for them would put some space between themselves and the bottom three and they made no mistake. Tony Hodge started the blitz off and he went on to score a hat-trick, while Tyrone Rooney netted twice and Neil Whitworth, Paul Smith and Ian Seward all got their names on the scoresheet. Just to make it a thoroughly miserable day for the Angels, they also weighed in with an own goal and the only real bright spots for them were the two consolation goals netted by Dale Williams.

The only other game played last weekend saw our last representatives in the Sunday Senior Cup bow out. Hemsworth Villa knew they were in for a torrid time at Ring O'Bells (Kimberworth) and they weren't disappointed.

Villa started brightly and for the first ten minutes looked the better side, but after ten minutes a long punt downfield by the home side's keeper caught the Villa defence on the hop and they fell behind. They reacted quickly though and Joe Shaw made the most of a free kick on the edge of the area to blast Villa level, but just before half time they fell behind again when a quick one-two undid their defence and the forward slotted home.

After the break, Villa gave it their all and they got their reward when a sweeping move ended with Lee Tyler hitting the bar and Lee Rodgers poking in the rebound. The game could really have swung Villa's way soon after, but a good chance went begging and the home side took full advantage to regain a lead they never looked likely to lose a third time and they went on to hit two more goals in the final minutes.

Lisano Giants are mourning the death of their former secretary Maureen Major after her sudden death last week. Maureen played a prominent role in establishing the team and she will be sadly missed by everyone concerned..

Sunday 3 Dec 2006

League Cup - George fall at Loxley, Abbey hit Park for six and Handsworth spot on at Stannington

Woodseats Abbey were the toast of Division One as they hit CBC Premier The Park for six in Round Three of the League Cup and it is fast becoming a graveyard for the CBC Premier clubs as another three also bit the dust.

The biggest shock came as Division One Loxley overcame league champions Woodhouse George. Simon Mirfin put John Bailey through to hit the opener under the advancing keeper and it was Mirfin again who set up Scott Parkin for Loxley's second before half time.

George were expected to come back strongly in the second half, but they were rocked when Neil Coyle set Bailey up for his second to give Loxley a three goal lead. The champions never really recovered and when Michael Blythen found the net late on it was only ever going to be a consolation.

The Park's Ben Lee opened the scoring at Woodseats Abbey, but just two mintes later the hosts were level when Liam Colclough headed home. It stayed like that until the interval, but after the break The Park simply couldn't stop Abbey's forwards from wreaking havoc. Joe Mothersowsole grabbed two, Tom Colclough netted from the penalty spot after he had been brought down in the area. Chris Baker hit Abbey's fifth and Ryan Barker completed the rout.

Former holders Stannington Village won't be making a return trip to Bramall Lane after they lost a penalty shoot-out to fellow CBC Premier side Handsworth WMC. It looked good for Village when Ben Palmer gave them the lead and after Handsworth had had two disallowed and missed a couple of good chances, it looked like it would be enough until sub Nick Garner levelled with just five minutes remaining.

That took the game to extra time and David Hague looked to have won it, but his shot came back off the bar, so it went to penalties and Handsworth keeper Liam Richardson became the hero with two penalty saves before Robert Pratt hit the deciding spot kick.

Niagara were the other CBC Premier side to fall after they were beaten by fellow CBC Premier side Laycock Sports. John Kilcoyne and Matt Kent gave Laycock Sports a two goal half time lead, but Niagara took advantage of the weather conditions to hit back strongly after the break. Craig Foster had one ruled out for offside before Tom Staniforth headed home. Niagara pressed even harder after that, but helped by a goalline clearance by Kilcoyne, the Laycock's defence held firm.

Division Two Handsworth Old Boys looked like they would cause an upset when Carl Bowler and Dean Smith goals twice gave them the lead at Mosborough Royal Oak, but their Division One hosts fought back with Lee Godwin and Simon Blackburn and they won it with Richard Mills late strike.

Division Two Cutlers Arms also took the lead against Division One Pitsmoor Hotel, but Scott Szpajer and Craig O'Brien strikes had Pitsmoor in front by the break and Pitsmoor confirmed their appearance in the quarter finals with further goals from Leon Stocks and Gavin Davies.

Ecclesfield Travellers had lost to Oxspring Lowood in the league a couple of weeks earlier so it didn't look good for Travellers when a Lee Shepherd free kick and a John Ward goal gave Oxspring a two goal lead at the interval, but Ecclesfield had the strong wind at their backs in the second half and levelled through Chris Brown and Craig Senior. That took it into extra time and this time it was Ecclesfield's turn to come out on top as Kevin Wraith hit their winner.

Stocksbridge Park Steels are a third CBC Premier side in the next round at the moment, but they still have to beat Telecom Sports after their tie was postponed, but if they do go through they have avoided the other CBC Premier sides.

The Quarter Final draw was made this afternoon :

Loxley v Laycock Sports

Mosborough Royal Oak v Handsworth WMC

Stocksbridge Park Steels or Telecom Sports v Ecclesfield Travellers

Woodseats Abbey v Pitsmoor Hotel

Games to be played in January on dates to be arranged.

CBC Premier - Redmires pip Nelson as West End and Villa postponed

A late Wayne Beggs strike saw Redmires win a five goal thriller with Lord Nelson, but Hemsworth Villa's visit to Woodhouse West End was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Dave Swift put Lord Nelson ahead after just three minutes, but they lost the lead when Danny Lindley's free kick was turned into his own net by the unfortunate John Dickens and just a few minutes later Nick Hickson netted to give Redmires a half time lead. Nelson hit back to level through Nathan Hurst and they had chances to win it, but it was Redmires that took the points when Wayne Beggs netted for a second game in a row.

Division 1 - Oak over the Moon and Fletchers hit Village for six

Royal Oak Pitsmoor are just a point off the top of Division One after they came from two down to beat Half Moon. Moon took advantage of the windy conditions to lead through Scott Kerr and Matthew Corn goals, but when Oak had the winds at their backs there was no stopping them. Jordan Pierce netted twice and John Mellor kept up his rich vein of form with a stunning free kick.

Another side to hit top form was Fletchers as a Gary Cooper treble helped them to hit Oughtibridge Village for six. Fletchers others came from Matt Roberts and a Mark Tiler double, while Andy Ogden hit Village's late consolation.

Division 2 - A good Knight sees Fairbank Rhodes hit the top, and Bush finally get off the mark. Danny's the boy as Park do double over Sportsman and Service too good for Giants

Two Joe Knight goals saw Fairbank Rhodes beat Millhouses Abacrombie and go top for the first time, while a Jordy Loy double helped Hollin Bush to their first points of the season with victory over Woodhouse Angel. A Danny Adkins treble saw Park & Arbourthorne do the double over title rivals Sportsman Stannington and Lisano Giants are now bottom after defeat by Civil Service

After a poor start to the season, Fairbank Rhodes have turned it round to become the fifth different leader of Division Two with a 2-0 victory over fellow title challengers Millhouses Abacrombie. Joe Knight's pace caused tMillhouses problems right from the start and his two goals proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Park & Arbourthorne look to have got over their minor blip and moved up to second after Danny Adkins second half treble gave them the double over fellow title hopefuls Sportsman Stannington.

It was a red-letter day for Hollin Bush who not only took their first points of the season, but also moved off the bottom of the table with a 3-1 victory at fellow strugglers Woodhouse Angel. Dale Williams netted for Angel, but it wasn't enough as Jordy Loy with two and Mark Cummins with one gave Bush those first precious points.

Replacing them at the bottom are Lisano Giants after they slipped to their ninth defeat of the season at home to Civil Service. The Servants had the strong wind at their backs in the first half and took the lead when Richard Hodgon's long ball forward was taken beyond the keep into the corner of the net.

Simon Hall was brought down to allow Alan Pickard to put Service two up from the spot and Dave Whitby's solo run ended with their third and Pickard hit their fourth with a free kick on the stroke of half time. The Giants did better in the second half, but rarely looked likely to threaten Service's lead.

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