Sunday 26 Nov 2006

Senior Sunday Cup - Redmires fall to Sir Colin Campbell

Redmires Senior Sunday Cup run finally came to an end against a very good Sir Colin Campbell side. With three first half goals, the visitors really had the game won at half time, but Redmires gave it their all after the break and pulled one back with an outrageous strike from the halfway line by Wayne Biggs. They then had other chances to further reduce the arrears, but it wasn't to be and their visitors wrapped things up with a late fourth..

CBC Premier - West End take a grip of the title as both George and Village slip

Woodhouse West End took a firm grip of the CBC Premier title with a 5-0 victory at Lord Nelson, while reigning champions Woodhouse George's chances of taking the title for a third year in succession look to be fading after they slipped to defeat at Niagara and Stannington Village's chances were blown away by Laycock Sports.

Two Sammy Glaves strikes put West End in command at Lord Nelson and when Spencer Taylor added a third the result was never in doubt. With Dave Kippax so solid at the heart of the West End defence, Nelson never looked as if they would get back in the game and subs David Haley and Lee Glaves (pictured) finished them off with two more.

Woodhouse George's chances of a third successive title look very remote after a third successive away defeat, this time at Niagara. Ben Dronfield hit his contender for the goal of the season with a left foot volley to put Niagara ahead and after Tommy Oxley doubled their lead they had the champs on the ropes. George tried to respond, but they were wasteful with the chances they made and only managed a consolation by Wes Pierce late on.

Stannington Village's latest defeat at Laycock Sports means they have now won just one of their last five, but it was the manner of their defeat Laycock's that suggests their title hopes are over. Stannington had more of the game until Danny Milner opened the scoring for Laycock's with a 25 yard rocket and they quickly replied with a Ben Palmer equaliser, but they trailed at half time after allowing Scott Wesney to dance through their defence.

Wesney tapped in his second soon after the break only for Palmer to hit his second to give Stannington hope, but when Laycock's stepped up a gear Stannington's defence seemed to fall apart and Milner hit his second under the advancing keeper before Steve Morris chipped a fifth in the last minute.

Bottom club The Park have found points hard to come by so they will be grateful for the one they earned at fellow strugglers Stocksbridge Park Steels. Tom Edmonds first half goal was equalled by Adrian Tazziman's free kick and Joe Barker's second half strike was cancelled out by Mark Carr's header for Steels.

It wasn't enough to lift them off the bottom though as Pen Nook also grabbed a point with a 1-1 draw at Handsworth WMC. Nook were given a helping hand with an own goal by the home side, but with skipper Scott Abramski outstanding, Handsworth hit back to level through Robert Pratt. Handsworth came nearest to winning it in the second half when Paul Roper's header came back off the bar and Danny Franklin twice went close, but Nook held on for a deserved point..

Division 1 - Oxspring cut down by Oak, Telecom sliced by Fletchers

Division One's top game saw leaders Oxspring United lose their unbeaten home record to a Royal Oak Pitsmoor that are now breathing right down their necks. It started well for the leaders when Phillip Cookson put them ahead after just five minutes, but Oak were level at half time after John Mellor's cross was turned into his own net by a defender. After the break Mellor showed why he is the division's top scorer with two goals in quick succession and John Clarke added Oak's fourth. Thomas Jowitt hit a real screamer for Oxspring's second, but they never looked like getting back into the game.

Loxley slipped a place after they could only take a point at Woodseats Abbey. Good work by Simon Mirfin paved the way for skipper John Denton to head Loxley in front midway through the first half and they though they had a second before Chris Whalley's goal was ruled out for offside. Abbey did better after the break, but when their equaliser came it was from a hotly contested penalty award, which Adrian Von Wurzbach dispatched with ease. Abbey almost snatched it late on, but three saves by Loxley's keeper made sure they would go home with a point.

Although Ecclesfield Travellers moved into contention with victory over Half Moon, it was much closer than they expected and their visitors made a real game of it before losing out by the odd goal in seven. Kieron Webb's twenty yard strike to put Travellers ahead was cancelled out by Andy Smith, but Glen Bell put Travellers back in front with a free kick, Craig Senior tapped home a third and Webb netted his second from the penalty spot, but instead of caving in, Moon gave the home side a real fright when they pulled two back with a penalty from Smith and one from Alistair Gears.

Telecom Sports title hopes were dealt a real blow when they fell to an unexpected defeat at a Fletchers side that started the day at the foot of the table. A Danny mace double seemed to have put Telecom in command, but Fletchers hit back through Darren Firth (pictured) and Richard Jones and were leading at the interval after Scott Lees hammered home. Joe Shaw levelled for Telecom after the break, but when Firth hit his second from the edge of the area, Telecom couldn't respond and did themselves no favours by having two players dismissed for dissent.

Mosborough Royal Oak are beginning to get their act together and they made sure that Pitsmoor Hotel were still looking for their first home win by thrashing them 5-1. Two Joe France strikes put Mosborough in charge and Will Blakeney added another before Paul Hind pulled one back for Pitsmoor. The second half saw Mosborough again take charge and after Blakeney was brought down, France completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, before Blakeney completed the rout with his second.

Division 2 - Cutlers back on top as Old Boys and Park finish all square

With Division Two leaders Sportsman Stannington's game at Civil Service falling to a waterlogged pitch it gave four sides the chance to go above them and it was Cutlers Arms that claimed top spot with a 4-1 victory over Lisano Giants. Alex Temple put Cutlers ahead from the penalty spot, but the Giants were deservedly level at half time after Mandindo expertly put away a penalty of their own. After the break, Cutlers nerves were settled when Temple again put them in front and they made the victory safe with two more from Tom Moynahan and Scott Smedley.

Both Handsworth Old Boys and Park & Arbourthorne missed their chance when they drew with each other. Darren Knowles slide rule pass allowed Danny Adkins to net his twentieth of the season to put Park ahead, but Trevor Jones got on the end of a long through ball to put them level by the break. The old Boys came closest to winning it when they hit the bar and they had one disallowed, but sub Steve Whitehead also went close for Park.

Fairbank Rhodes did all they could by beating Hollin Bush, but Cutlers victory and Handsworth's draw meant they had to settle for third. Jamie Kerr headed them in front before half time and second half goals by Dean Grayson, Steve Bates and Joe Knight gave Fairbank their second successive 4-0 win.

Woodhouse Angel made it two games without defeat when they three times came from behind to claim a point at home to Colley Club. Tony Hodge put Colley ahead early on, but two Paul Gregory (pictured) goals had Angel in front. Crookes then missed a penalty, but Hodge netted his second to have them level at the interval. Hodge completed his hat-trick to put Colley in front a second time, but Jonathan Ross netted to bring Angel level again. Crookes looked to have won it when Tyrone Rooney put them ahead for a third time, but Angel gritted their teeth and Ross earned them a hard earned point.

Sunday 19 Nov 2006

Senior Sunday Cup - Redmires fly the flag as both West End and Niagara fall

It was a mixed day for Blades Super Draw League clubs in the County FA Sunday Cups with Redmires making progress in the Senior Cup and Mosborough Royal Oak and Park & Arbourthorne both going through in the Junior Cup, but for Woodhouse West End, Niagara, Fletchers and Telecom Sports it was the end of the road.

Although Redmires lost a penalty shoot out in Round Two, when it emerged that their Meadowhall League opponents Denby St Sportsman had fielded two suspended players the County FA did the right thing and reinstated Redmires and they took full advantage by thrashing Three Horse Shoe United 4-0.

Ian Gambling curled in a free kick to put Redmires ahead and another curler from Andy Birks doubled their advantage. Luke Siggs made it three from close range and Jake Higgitty did the same for the fourth after being set up by Danny Lindley.

Woodhouse West End visited a Travellers Troopers that had put them out at the quarter final stage last season, but it looked to be going West End's way this time when Spencer Taylor headed them into a half time lead, but the game hinged on a controversial sending off of West End keeper Alan Hawkins after he was adjudged to have handled the ball outside his area and Troopers took full advantage to win it 2-1.

After a goalless first half, Niagara fell behind to Shiregreen Rovers, but a Tom Staniforth strike took the game to extra time and it looked even better for Niagara when Rovers had a player dismissed, but it was the ten men that found a winner to make Niagara fall.

Junior Sunday Cup - Knowles nicks it for Park, while Mosborough Royal Oak too strong for Trojans, but Fletchers sliced up by St Albans

In the Junior Sunday Cup, Cutlers Trojans weren't strong enough to stop Mosborough Royal Oak running riot. Craig Woolley put Oak ahead and Ricky Gregory doubled their lead before half time. Will Blakeney made it three and Ricky Davidson kept his hot streak going with Oak's fourth. Trojans netted a consolation, before Gregory netted a fifth for Oak and even though Blakeney missed from the penalty spot it made little difference as Oak strode through to the last sixteen.

They are joined by Division Two Park & Arbourthorne who won a stormy all-Blades Super Draw tie at Telecom Sports with a very late Darren Knowles goal. Park almost took the lead when Carl Hopwood hit the bar and although Telecom twice hit the woodwork it wasn't the best advert for football as three players were dismissed. It looked like it was going to go into extra time when the by then nine man Park were awarded a free kick and skipper Matt Knowles's flighted free kick was flicked over the Telecom keeper by Darren Knowles for the winner.

Fletchers journey to Denaby ended in defeat as their hosts St Albans had too much fire power for them. Robert Russell and Chris Greenwood grabbed a couple of goals, but they weren't enough as the Fletchers defence was sliced five times.

CBC Premier - George back on track, while Danny's Nelson's boy and Ashton saver for Village

Woodhouse George looked to be on their way to a third successive CBC Premier defeat when Handsworth WMC's Paul Renshaw gave them a first half lead. George stepped it up in the second half, but Handsworth's keeper kept them at bay with a string of great saves. It couldn't last though and he was finally beaten by Chris Towey and just five minutes later Kirk Briddon hit a winner George had barely deserved. The best performer of the day was probably referee Tim Cruickshank who had helped to keep a good game flowing.

Stannington Village looked even more likely to suffer a third successive defeat when Mark Barraclough's neat finish gave Stocksbridge Park Steels a lead that was doubled by an Adam Todd penalty before half time. Stannington shook themselves at half time and Josh Wright headed them back into the game and Simon Howe levelled, but it still needed a terrific Ben Ashton save from a second Todd penalty to keep the point safe. Village also had plenty of praise for Stocksbridge's Kevin Davies who took up the whistle after the original official made a late withdrawal.

Lord Nelson made it two successive wins with victory at Pen Nook, but only just. Nathan Hurst and Phil McLwaine put Nelson two up and they should have had a third when a sitter even Christian Ronaldo would have scored was spurned. It looked as if they would pay for it as Nook hit back to level with Danny McLean and Adam Smith strikes, but Danny Wilkinson popped up to hit Nelson's late winner.

Division 1 - Oxspring given a helping hand to stay top, while Loxley and Royal Oak both come from behind to win and Abbey beat Moon again

Although Oxspring Lowood took a firm grip of the Division One top spot with victory over Ecclesfield Travellers, they only did so with a big helping hand from their visitors. It looked as if Travellers would go home with a hard earned point until a moment of indecision by keeper and defence saw Lee Pagden stab the ball into his own net to give Oxspring victory.

Second placed Loxley looked even more unlikely to get anything form their game as a Gavin Davies double and one from Luke Parwana saw visitors Pitsmoor Hotel open up a three goal lead with less than thirty minutes remaining, but John Bailey netted from close range to give Loxley hope and Simon Mirfin's switch out of defence into midfield paid dividends when he netted twice to bring Loxley level. It was anybody's game now and Loxley claimed an unlikely three points when 'Doc' Wells's cross beat everyone to go straight in.

Royal Oak Pitsmoor's victory over Oughtibridge Village was a similar story. Lee Smith and james Duroe goals gave Village a two goal advantage at half time, but Oak were unstoppable in the second half as John Mellor claimed his fourth hat-trick of the season along with a fourth from Jordan Pierce.

Half Moon will be sick of the sight of Woodseats Abbey after their visitors completed their fourth win of the season over them. Abbey had already beaten them in both cups and in the league the previous weekend, so it was no real surprise when Chris Garlick bent in a free kick to give Abbey the lead. Tom Colclough headed home a corner to double Abbey's lead, but Moon were back in it when Nathan Kingswood netted from the penalty spot. Moon's hopes were soon dashed though when Liam Colclough finished off a neat move for Abbey's third and they should have had another when Adrian Von Wurzbach missed from the penalty spot.

Division 2 - Sportsman and Cutlers all square, so Old Boys go top thanks to Jones

Sportsman Stannington looked to be on the way to keeping the Division Two top spot when Kevin Bly marked his return to the club with a goal, but their unbeaten visitors Cutlers Arms hit back strongly and they levelled with a James Haslam header before Mark Franklin drilled home a penalty to give them a half time lead. Sportsman gathered themselves after the break and although the Cutlers keeper made three great saves, he couldn't stop Jason Collier earning Sportsman a point.

It wasn't enough to keep Sportsman top though as Handsworth Old Boys overtook them after a single Mark Jones strike gave them victory at Millhouses Abacrombie. Fairbank Rhodes are also right into the thick of the promotion battle after they completed the double over Civil Service.

Service should have been at least three up by the interval, but at half time keeper Jamie Jewitt stunned his Service team mates when he sensationally decided he wasn't going to play the second half because his team mates "weren't listening to him". At first it looked as if Service were going to make his decision look even more foolish and it took three tremendous saves by Fairbank's man of the match James Abramski to keep them out. Service also missed another couple of good chances and they paid for it when Steve Birks headed Fairbank ahead. Mitchell Robinson's cross then eluded everyone to sneak into the net to make it two and from that point there was only ever going to be one winner and Dean Grayson netted two more, but Service will be left wondering what might have been had Jewitt not acted like a prima donna.

Hollin Bush looked as if they were on their way to their first points of the season when Kyle Kilham gave them a deserved half time lead, but Woodhouse Angel were also seeking their first win of the season and it was they who found their form in the second half. Jim Linfoot levelled and Jonathan Ross showed it wasn't all over by hit Angel's first winner of the season.

It lifted them a place after Lisano Giants crashed to yet another defeat at Colley Club. Tony Hodge scored three and Neil Whitworth, Paul Lawless and Paul Badger Colley's others as they won 6-3. Ali Keita netted twice and Nadjo Nbikayi another as the Giants tried to get back into the match, but it proved too little too late.

Sunday 12 Nov 2006

CBC Premier - Nelson Lord it over George, while West End stay top

Although some of the favourites for the titles in all three divisions dropped points this weekend, the biggest surprise came in the CBC Premier where relegation threatened Lord Nelson beat League Champions Woodhouse George 2-0. David Williams hit a goal in each half and a strangely lethargic George were fortunate that the margin of defeat wasn't more.

Woodhouse West End took full advantage of their neighbours slip by beating Stannington Village 3-0 to open up a two point gap at the top of the table. David Haley gave West End a first half lead and Jamie Walters made it two after the break. Stannington made a real fight of it though and put the West End defence under real pressure, but keeper Alan Hawkins and Dave Kippax at the heart of the West End defence, kept them out and sub Lee Glaves made the win safe with his side's third.

Hemsworth Villa put the previous week's cup defeat behind them to go second with a 5-2 win at Laycock Sports. The game had been fairly even until it sparked into life with three goals and a sending off in the last five minutes of the first half. Lee Rodgers netted twice for Villa, Laycock's had a man dismissed for dissent in between them and they then reduced the arrears with a Lloyd McPherson goal.

The second half saw Villa make the most of the extra man and Ian Holmes grabbed two on his first full appearance of the season before Mark Hopkinson struck a fifth. Gouge grabbed a second for the home side, but they got themselves into further trouble by having a second player dismissed.

Niagara kept their good run of form going with a comfortable 3-0 win over Pen Nook. Ben Dronfield headed them into a first half lead and a second header from him doubled it after the break. Simon Staniforth squandered the chance to make the points safe from the penalty spot, but he made amends soon after by hitting his side's third.

Stocksbridge Park Steels extended their hospitality to Redmires by scoring an own goal after just twenty seconds and when Sean Downing made it two before half time it looked as if Redmires would go home with all three points, but Mark Barraclough pulled one back for the hosts and their gutsy performance was rewarded when Adrian Tazziman's diving header gave them a last gasp equaliser.

Defences were on top in the day's other CBC Premier game which saw The Park grind out a goalless draw at Handsworth WMC.
Division 1 - Oxspring disconnect Telecom, while Oak win the Pitsmoor derby

Division One leaders Oxspring United and their visitors Telecom Sports both went into the game unbeaten, but despite trailing at one stage it was the hosts that came out of it with their record in tact. An own goal gave Oxspring a half time lead, but soon after the break a debatable penalty award allowed Simon Smith to level things up. Telecom looked the more likely to win it when leading scorer Paul Marrison put them in front, but a second penalty award allowed Thomas Jowitt to level things up for Oxspring before John Ward grabbed a late winner to extend Oxspring's lead at the top of the table to seven points.

The big Pitsmoor derby saw a John Mellor treble give Royal Oak the bragging rights over their hosts Pitsmoor Hotel. Mellor's first was cancelled out by Gavin Davies, but Mellor struck again to give Oak a half time lead. The second half saw Oak's defence put under real pressure and Hotel missed several good chances to level a second time before Mellor again produced the perfect finish to wrap up the points for Oak.

That win put Royal Oak joint second with both Loxley and Ecclesfield Travellers after they both let leads and two points slip. Loxley found themselves behind to a Gareth Cooper strike for Fletchers, but John Bailey kept up his scoring run to level and when Geoff Mayfield set sub John Rhodes up to put them in front it looked as if they would take all three points. Fletchers never gave up though and Robert Russell grabbed a deserved equaliser with just a couple of minutes remaining.

Although Charles Adams gave Oughtibridge Village in front early on, Ecclesfield Travellers had an even better opportunity to take three points. Two from Craig Senior and one from Kieron Webb put Travellers firmly in control, but Oughtibridge kept plugging away and goals from David Hudson and Brett Baker earned them a point.

Woodseats Abbey followed up the previous weekend's League Cup win over Half Moon by beating them again by the same 2-1 scoreline. Ryan Barkers first half goal and Mark Richards second half strike gave Abbey the advantage and even though Nathan Kingswood pulled one back for the visitors, they never really looked like getting anything from the game.

Division 2 - Park & Cutlers share a six goal thriller, while Sportsman go top

Division Two has new leaders in Sportsman Stannington after their eight goal romp over Lisano Giants and a six goal thriller between Park & Arbourthorne and Cutlers Arms.

Cutlers went Park trying to extend the divisions only perfect record, but that always looked likely to go when Daniel Adkins hit his eighteenth and nineteenth goals of the season to put Park two up. Steve Cousins pulled one back, but Park regained their two goal lead when Jason Hopwood netted direct from a corner. Cutlers never gave up though and pulled another back through Peter Hill, before Mark Franklin kept Cutlers unbeaten from the penalty spot.

Sportsman Stannington never looked like anything but comfortable winners at Lisano Giants as Liam Bamforth added four to his already impressive total for the season. Chris King, David Comer, James Wood and an eighth from Gregory lifted Sportsman to the top on goal difference, although the Giants managed to grab two consolations from Habibi and Eyiba.

Handsworth Old Boys are the fourth side level on points at the top after they put paid to Millhouses Abacrombie's recent good run. Victory for Abacrombie would have seen them go top, but they missed a penalty and in a very close game, Trevor Jones proved to be the difference between the two sides with his two goals winning it for the Old Boys.

Three points behind the leading pack are Civil Service and Fairbank Rhodes after they both took maximum points. Dave Whitby headed Service into an early lead against Hollin Bush and they could easily have been four up in the first ten minutes, but Bush caught them napping and Dave Thornhill finished in style to level the scores.

Service seemed to lose their way and Bush made nonsense of the bottom place as they dominated the remainder of the first half, but Service made some changes at half time and Whitby restored their lead before Chris Cockburn netted his first for the club with a looping header to make the points safe.

Fairbank Rhodes made heavy weather of their visit to Woodhouse Angel, but in the end ran out comfortable winners with goals from Matt Nestor, Dean Grayson and Steve Bates.

Sunday 5 Nov 2006

League Cup Round 2 - It's the Pits as Foreman's strike hits Villa, while West End run ended by Travellers and Old Boys stun Redmires

The League Cup dreams of five CBC Premier clubs went up in smoke on 5 November with the biggest shock of the lot seeing the holders for the past two seasons, Hemsworth Villa, put out by a Dean Foreman strike for Division One Pitsmoor Hotel.

Almost as big a shock was the demise of CBC Premier leaders Woodhouse West End, who fell at another Division One side, Ecclesfield Travellers, while Division Two newcomers, Handsworth Old Boys (see right for action picture from the game) sent Redmires crashing. The other two CBC Premier sides to fall were Lord Nelson and Pen Nook who both had narrow defeats in their all-CBC Premier ties with Woodhouse George and Laycock Sports.

Hemsworth Villa have become cup specialists after winning the trophy three times out of the past four seasons, but their hopes of completing a hat-trick of cup wins disappeared with their missed chances in the first half. Their Division One hosts Pitsmoor Hotel had some chances of their own though and when they began to outfight Villa in the second half, the writing was on the wall for the holders.

It was no less than they deserved when Pitsmoor went ahead asDean Foreman turned on the edge of the area to hit a left foot shot into the bottom corner and although Villa tried to respond, it was Pitsmoor that came nearest to another goal when Leon Stocks' long range effort struck the woodwork before rebounding into the keepers arms.

CBC Premier leaders Woodhouse West End had won every game prior to their visit to Division One Ecclesfield Travellers and they were expected to repeat the victory they had over their hosts in last season's quarter final. It was different this time as the Travellers tore into West End and they could have had an early lead when Kieron Webb hit the bar. Craig Senior then had one cleared off the line and so it was very deserved when Glen Bell picked up a rebound off the keeper to fire them ahead.

West End just didn't know what had hit them and the second half wasn't too old when Senior brilliantly turned his marker before finding the bottom corner to double Travellers lead. West End finally found a response and Spencer Taylor pulled one back, but in truth they never looked like saving it and if Kevin Wraith had put away the easiest of chances their defeat would have been even bigger.

Division Two Handsworth Old Boys got off to a dream start at Redmires when Trevor Jones (pictured left) put them ahead after just five minutes and they held it until the second half when Redmires were awarded a penalty that was expertly put away by Andy Birks. The Old Boys weren't to be denied a famous victory though and it came when Tom Brown anticipated a back pass to coolly beat the keeper for his side's winner.

Cutlers Arms are the only other Division Two side through after beating fellow Division Two side Hollin Bush 3-1. Cutlers are now the only side in the League to have won all it's games this season, but it wasn't easy as Bush made their record as the only side yet to get even a point look hard to understand. James Haslam and Steve Cousins put Cutlers two up before Daniel Cooper pulled one back and Bush should have levelled when they were awarded a penalty, but they fluffed the chance and Haslam lobbed the keeper from twenty five yards to confirm Cutlers place in the next round.

Laycock Sports had beaten Pen Nook with a late Lloyd McPherson goal in the league a week earlier, so it must have seemed like Groundhog Day for Nook when McPherson did it again. Matt Kent's thirty yard thunderbolt gave Laycock's a first half lead and veteran Andy Register made it two early in the second half. Nook hit back to level through Adam Smith and Ryan Cockayne, but all their hard work was in vain when McPherson's long range effort saw Laycock's through.

After a goalless first half Lord Nelson shocked the champions Woodhouse George when Dave Thompson put them ahead and although Gareth Simons brought George level, Nathan Hurst again edged Nelson in front. They couldn't hold it though as Wes Pierce rammed home an equaliser and although he scored the winner he knew little about it as the keeper's clearance struck him before rebounding into the net.

The was one other minor shock came as Division Two leaders Park & Arbourthorne were sent tumbling at Division One Mosborough Royal Oak. After reaching the cup final of the league they left in the summer for each of the last two seasons, Park were expected to make a strong bid for more cup glory, but without their leading scorer Daniel Adkins they struggled to make an impact. Ricky Davidson kept up his remarkable goal streak to fire Oak ahead and even when Simon Windle did find an equaliser for Park they were only level for moments as Oak went straight back to the other end to win it with sub Kevin Ford's goal.

Handsworth WMC made progress at Sportsman Stannington, but not before the Division Two side gave their CBC Premier visitors a few anxious moments. Ryan Taylor and Paul Robinson had Handsworth two up inside twenty minutes and although Johnny Davis pulled one back for the home side, Handsworth's two goal lead was restored by Paul Roper.

Sportsman were given a lift when Matt Jessermino struck their second on the stroke of half time and the game looked to be tilting their way when Scott Dinnigan brought them level soon after the break, but turned Handsworth's way again when they were awarded a penalty and Carl Eaton beat stand-in keeper Jason Collier. A couple of substitutions by Handsworth also played their part and in the end goals by Robert Pratt and Adam Newton made it looked more comfortable than it had been.

Fairbank Rhodes have an even bigger hard luck story as they went out to a last gasp own goal against Division One leaders Oxspring Lowood. Thomas Jowitt gave Oxspring a first half lead, but Fairbank deservedly levelled through Steve Birks. Jack Jones then had the Oxspring supporters singing when he put them back in front, yet Birks again levelled and extra time looked certain until that late own goal cruelly sent the Division Two side out.

Another Division Two side that can count themselves very unlucky to lose out to CBC Premier opponents was Civil Service who went down 2-0 to The Park. Service played some slick pass and move football and continually had their lofty opponents stretched, but it was The Park that went ahead against the run of play. A rare move forward earned a corner that wasn't cleared properly and Andy Chafer showed his finishing skills by drilling the ball home. Service should have been level by the interval, but Dave Whitby saw his effort denied by the keeper's feet.

After the interval Service continued to look the better side, but once again a quick break by The Park saw Scott Micklethwaite hammer a second into the top corner. Service continued to have plenty of the game, but The Park's defence stood firm and sub Steve McMain almost celebrated his return from his latest Saga holiday with a third for The Park.

Former cup winners Stocksbridge Park Steels had the day's most convincing win, 6-0 over Division Two Colley Club. Chris Kelly and Mark Carr's header put Steels two up by the interval and four more came from Paul Scott, David Ashlington, Simon Todd and Andy Hibbert, but Colley never let their heads drop and will play worse and win.

The other CBC Premier side through is Niagara, who maintained their cup form with a 3-1 victory over Division One's in-form Royal Oak Pitsmoor. An own goal gifted Niagara the lead and Liam Pigott added a second, but Oak hitman John Mellor pulled one back before half time. Oak pushed forward after the break and were desperately unlucky not to level when they hit the woodwork three times, so it was cruel that Niagara had the final word when Pigott netted his second.

Loxley soon took charge against fellow Division One side Oughtibridge Village with John Bailey keeping his record of a goal in every game he has played this season. Skipper John Denton scrambled home a second before the break and although Dave Hudson pulled one back direct from a corner, Geoff Mayfield headed home Glen Kirby's cross to ease Loxley's nerves.

Two other all-Division One ties saw Paul Marrison, Joe Shaw and Simon Smith's header gave Telecom Sports a three goal lead that Fletchers rarely threatened, although Danny Cooper did eventually net them a consolation, while Woodseats Abbey pipped Half Moon 2-1. Adrian Von Wurzbach had been the scourge of Moon when Abbey thrashed them in the County FA Cup and he hit them again to put Abbey in front. Mark Ramsden levelled for Moon, but Joe Mothersole grabbed a winner for Abbey.

Division 1 - Boundary Sports withdraw

Boundary Sports have decided they cannot continue and have withdrawn from the League. All results and are exponged from the records. The Division One league table now reflects the position without the Boundary results.

Division 2 - Abacrombie's eight are just mint

The only league game was in Division two where Millhouses Abacrombie went third after an eight goal demolition of Woodhouse Angel. It was fairly even during the first half and Abacrombie only netted once through Olly Humphrey's cross cum shot. They were also grateful to three vital saves by keeper Mark Davies, but the second half became very one-sided. An Ally Berry solo goal was followed by two Tom Gardiner strikes and Ash Gordon fired in a rocket even Emperor Ming's army couldn't have stopped to make it five, before Carl Gelder hit a late treble as the Angel resistance crumbled.

Awards | News | Clubs | History | Sponsors | Management

Email : sssl