1 April - Division 1 - Service crash at Brimington, while Marshall shoots down Bush

After missing out in the Macron Cup semi finals there was further bad news for second place Civil Service as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at FC Brimington. Thomas Brooke headed the home side into a half time lead and after the break Michael Gartlan drilled home a second before he supplied the cross for Matt Falconer to complete the scoring.

After falling behind, a Lee Marshall double put Woodhouse Angel on the road to victory against Hollin Bush. Bush started brighter and took a deserved lead, but Angel hit back to level before half time when persistent work by Gareth Simons carved open the chance for Marshall to hit his first. Angel took the lead after the break when Kirk Briddon crossed for Marshall to volley his second and they made the three points safe with a Lance Dixon strike.

2-Apr - CBC Premier - West End & Redmires stay on course and Steels continue to climb

The top two Woodhouse West End and Redmires both won to stay on course at the top while victory for Stocksbridge Park Steels over Niagara lifted them up to fourth, but left Niagara staring relegation in the face. Stannington Village came from two down to claim a point at home to Venue. (see 5 April for full report)

Division 1 - Leaders mauled by Lion

Leaders Laycock Sports crashed to their first home defeat of the season as two Ricky Henson strikes gave Red Lion a vital win in their battle to avoid the drop. (see 5 April for full report)

Division 2 - Anvil close up on leaders, but it's getting tighter just below them

Second place Anvil are just two points behind the leaders after an Alistair Mitchell treble helped them to victory over Crookes & District, but Colley's promotion push is dented by defeat at Rivelin, while The Park record their best win of the season at Oughtibridge Village and there is now just for points separating third from ninth. (see 5 April for full report)

5-Apr - CBC Premier - Villa defeat leaves West End just one more win from title

After completing two wins in four days Woodhouse West End are just one more win away from retaining the CBC Premier title. The first of them was a comfortable 4-0 victory over the same Ecclesfield 147 they had beaten days earlier in the Macron Cup semi finals. Ashleigh Atkins and David Haley put them two up at the interval, while a Jason Short penalty and one from Anthony Dolan doubled their margin in the second half.

Days later, relegation threatened Niagara proved to be a much sterner threat to West End’s perfect record. Mark Barraclough crossed for Jason Short to open the scoring, but Short then had a penalty saved before Rob Cowlishaw doubled their lead. Simon Staniforth pulled one back for Niagara before the break and he gave the leaders an even bigger shock when he equalised in the second half. It could have gone either way after that, but Ashleigh Atkins popped up with West End’s winner late on.

Redmires kept their challenge going as Birks and Hickson goals gave them a 2-0 victory at Handsworth WMC, but when Hemsworth Villa tried to emulate them a few days later, Villa came a cropper at a side that have become a real bogey to them in recent years. It needed two great saves by Liam Richardson (see picture right) to stop Villa taking an early lead, but after Liam Simmonite had gone close with a shot he did better with a header from Robert Pratt’s cross to give Handsworth a half time lead. Villa hit back and Nick Owen met Russell Webster’s cross to level and they hit both post and bar after that, but it was Handsworth that grabbed the winner when Simmonite raced onto Matt Sykes’ pass to beat the keeper.

Stocksbridge Park Steels climbed up to fourth with two wins in four days. Mitchell Savage volleyed James Smith’s cross home to give them the lead against Niagara just after half time and the win was sealed when a Niagara defender put the ball past his own keeper. Days later Phil Cookson produced a neat finish to put them ahead against Millhouses Abacrombie and their lead was doubled when Chris Kelly followed up after Adam Todd’s shot had been blocked. Tom Gardiner pulled one back, but John McSeveney restored Steels two goal advantage with a header before Todd turned neatly to score their fourth.

Millhouses should have got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty, but Danny Turner missed from the spot, but they did pull one back with a David France free kick, before Turner made amends by hitting Millhouses third. Steels went straight back down the pitch and won a corner and from it Mark Carson scored their fifth and they ran out convincing winners as Kelly volleyed his second before Todd scored his second from the penalty spot. Action from the game is below, showing Phil Cookson grabbing the first, Chris Kelly beating a defender, John McSeveney on the burst and Adam Todd netting from the spot:

Venue looked as if they would take three points at Stannington Village when Russell Gill’s corner flew straight in and Scott Birch added a second from Gill’s pass. Birch then hit the post with an audacious effort from the halfway line, but Stannington shook themselves in the second half and after twice hitting the woodwork, Sean Flynn volleyed one back before Wayne Bird hit their equaliser. Stannington kept that improvement going a few days later at Pitsmoor Royal oak, despite going behind to a Simon Marcus strike. Tom Fletcher levelled from the penalty spot and Josh Coulson played a one-two before putting them ahead and Josh Ransom grabbed a third to make it safe.

Venue had to settle for another 2-2 draw at Ecclesfield 147, although this time it was Venue’s turn to come from behind. Ryan Cockayne met Chris Brook’s free kick to put Venue ahead, but 147 levelled before the break with Scott Touhey’s first of the season - Scott is pictured right. Sub Liam Wilkinson then put them ahead three minutes after the interval, but a mistake by the 147 keeper gifted Scott Birch an equaliser. Action from the game is pictured left.

Division 1 - Great day for Service as Laycock's lose and The Vine draw

In Division One the teams chasing promotion got a bad case of the jitters and second place Civil Service was the only one of the top five to gain a victory and even they had been beaten just a few days earlier.

Leaders Laycock Sports crashed to two defeats in just four days. Ricky Henson’s volley gave relegation threatened Red Lion a first half lead and despite fierce pressure from Laycock’s in the second half, with just three minutes remaining, Henson doubled Lion’s lead. Stavros Kontou pulled one back almost immediately, but it was too little too late for the leaders. A few days later they faced a Heely Crown side playing their fifth game in eleven days, but it proved to be a bad day for Laycocks as their normally reliable keeper Grant Parkin had a day he would rather forget.

Steve Cousin and Shaun Higginbottom strikes had earlier given Crown a 2-0 victory over Southey Social and this time it was Gareth Sidebottom that gave Crown a first half lead. It was doubled when Chris Edward’s hopeful punt up field bounced over the stranded Parkin and Parkin should then have done better when Edwards’ free kick found the net. Even when Laycocks had fought their way back into it with two Sam Read strikes, Parkin was again at fault when he was beaten by Mick Eaton’s cross cum shot. One thing both sides agreed on though was the terrific performance by referee Kevin Bridges.

After missing out in the Macron Cup semi finals there was further bad news for second place Civil Service as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at FC Brimington. Thomas Brooke headed the home side into a half time lead and after the break Michael Gartlan drilled home a second before he supplied the cross for Matt Falconer to complete the scoring.

Days later Service looked like they would go down to a second defeat when Mick Smith and a John Bailey double three times gave Loxley the lead against them, but Service found some real inspiration from new skipper Ben Brown as his hat-trick together with an Adam Firth free kick eventually gave them victory.

Third place The Vine could have put some real pressure on the top two but after Ricky Davidson had given them the lead at home to Handsworth Old Boys, they had to settle for a points after Sam Plant’s free kick found the net.

That point wasn’t enough to keep Handsworth in fourth place as they were overtaken by an FC Brimington that followed up their win over Civil Service with another at Sportsman Stannington. Headers from Andy Crossland and Chris Kealey put them two up and they were followed by a half volley from Thomas Brooke and a second from Crossland when his mazy run took him past three defenders and the keeper. Sportsman’s only consolation came from Danny Kelleher.

Lee Marshall grabbed three goals in two games as Woodhouse Angel kept up their quest for a top four finish with two wins in five days. In the first of them, Hollin Bush started brighter and took a deserved lead, but Angel hit back to level before half time when persistent work by Gareth Simons carved open the chance for Marshall to hit his first and Angel took the lead after the break when Kirk Briddon crossed for Marshall to volley his second, before they made the three points safe with a Lance Dixon strike. It was a similar story in the second game as Ricky Henson put Red Lion ahead with a crisp half volley, but Angel levelled when Gareth Simons free kick was headed home by Chris Towey. Simons then met a Kirk Briddon cross to put Angel ahead before Marshall made it safe.

After that earlier defeat by Angel, Hollin Bush came from behind to record only their third win of the season against Southey Social. Ray Hutson’s penalty put Southey in front by half time, but two second half Dave Thornhill strikes gave Bush victory.

Division 2 - Saville fix's point for Anvil at Crookes, but Ranch roll on

In Division Two, after beating next to bottom Crookes & District 6-3 a few days earlier, second place Anvil needed a last gasp equaliser by keeper John Saville to get just a point when they met a second time. Alistair Mitchell grabbed a hat-trick along with goals from Matt Asher, Andy Hill and Dean Jepson to give them that first win and it might have been many more but for a terrific performance by stand in keeper Richard Hamer. Anvil should have heeded the warning signs from goals by Matt Hartley and Chris Cottyn’s double, but they didn’t and a few days later it was Crookes that took control of the game.

Sam Firth gave Crookes a tenth minute lead and although Mitchell levelled just after half time, the game swung back Crookes way when Anvil had a defender dismissed for a professional foul just outside the area. Crookes made them pay when Hartley smashed home the free kick and they went 3-1 up when Ainsley Cawley scored from the penalty spot after he had been brought down in the area. Anvil’s ten men fought back with a second from Mitchell and in a desperate last gasp effort, keeper John Saville came up for a corner and headed home an unlikely equaliser.

Aston was also held at Oughtibridge Village. Alan Clarke gave Oughtibridge a first half lead, but Aston rescued a point with Billy Evans’ header. Mark Bryant (pictured left) hit four as Bulls Head took advantage of Aston’s slip by hammering in-form Anston Athletic 5-1 to climb up to third. The scoring started in the second half, with Bryant netting twice before Simon Herberts pulled one back. Anston piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, but three goals in the last three minutes saw Bull home. Jordan Barton hit the first and after he was pulled down in the area, Bryant completed his hat-trick from the spot, before grabbing his fourth in the last minute.

Leaders Ranch made no mistake though and are just a couple of wins away from clinching promotion after Dave Ashmore's treble helped them to victory over Colley. Ashmore was gifted his first after a long ball bounced over the keeper’s head and he was left with a simple tap in and Oliver Whittaker chested the ball down for Ashmore to hit his second. Ridha Miladi pulled one back for Colley, but Chris Hall restored Ranch’s two goal advantage before the break with a twenty five yard screamer into the top corner. Ashmore met Chris Wajs’ corner to complete his hat-trick and although Ian Sharland netted Colley’s second they never looked likely to stop Ranch from going just two wins away from promotion.

It had been a bad week for Colley as they also lost 3-2 at Rivelin. Paul Smith’s header cancelled out Josh Bermingham opener for Rivelin, but Rivelin went back in front through Tom Bermingham before the break. Ridha Miladi levelled a second time from the penalty spot, but Tom Bermingham netted his second to win it for Rivelin.

Rivelin didn’t do as well at the weekend though as Brinsworth Whitehill stayed in contention with a 3-0 victory over them. Aaron Turner shot under the keeper to give Brinsworth a first half lead and after a period of Rivelin pressure, Danny Marsden broke to beat two defenders before chipping over the keeper for Brinsworth’s second, before Jamie Radford smashed home an unstoppable third.

In midweek, despite falling behind to a Carl McDonald strike, The Park kept their outside chances alive with a 5-1 victory at Oughtibridge Village. Ben Lee levelled before Thomas Farrell gave them an interval lead. After the break, Lee and Farrell both added their second before sub Lee bridges scored with a superbly taken free kick.

7-Apr - Division 1 - Service close in on leaders, while Paddy power lifts Crown

Second place Civil Service are just two points behind the leaders after a 4-0 victory over Sportsman Stannington. Andy Bath hit the goal of the season to give Service a narrow half time lead, but they proved more effective after the break as subs Richard Hodgson and Matt Meaney both made their bid for a starting place with goals. Hodgson added the second and Meaney two more as Service ran out comfortable winners.

Heeley Crown are making a late surge to try to get into the promotion race as a Paddy O'Brien treble in between Lea Budd and Micky Appleyard strikes gave them a 5-0 win over Hollin Bush. Budd opened the scoring before O'Brien scored a great solo goal to double their lead at the break. O'Brien quickly added two more in the second half to complete his hat-trick, before Micky Appleyard completed the scoring late on.

Division 2 - Crookes end The Park hopes

The Park's slim promotion hopes disappeared as the let a 2-1 lead slip before losing 3-2 at Crookes & District. Ainsley Cawley outsprinted The Park defence to give Crookes an early lead, but The Park levelled through Andy Hague and Ben Lee gave them the lead just before the break. They couldn't hold on to it though and Hartley levelled for Crookes before Ashley Green hit a wonder strike to give Crookes their victory, although they had to defend desperately at the end to hold on to it.

9-Apr - CBC Premier - Short again for West End, while Niagara give themselves a chance and Stannington win

Jason Short (pictured left) maintained his amazing record of scoring in every league game he has played this season with the first in Woodhouse West End's win over Handsworth WMC, while Simon Staniforth's late goal gave Niagara victory over Ecclesfield 147 and a chance of avoiding the drop, while two Jamie Oxley strikes helped Macron Cup finalists Stannington Village keep their good form going with victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Division 1 - Laycock's widen gap, while Budd's perfect treble lifts Crown

Leaders Laycock Sports widened the gap below them to five points with victory over Junior Blades, while Lea Budd hit the perfect hat-trick in just five minutes in Heeley Crown's win over Red Lion. FC Brimington kept up their chase with victory at Handsworth Old Boys and Woodhouse Angel also won at Sportsman.

Division 2 - Aston and Anston take advantage as both Anvil and Bulls Head are held

Both Aston and Anston collected vital wins as both Anvil and Bulls Head are held to draws

14-Apr - Division 1 - Brimington & Angel close up on Service

Thomas Brooke's (pictured left) second half penalty gave FC Brimington victory over second place Civil Service and renewed hope that they could yet overhaul the Servants. There was little between the two sides until the defining moment in the second half when keeper Karl Whitby felled Jervaise Christie in the area and Brooke stepped up to make no mistake from the spot

One team that can definitely overhaul Service is Woodhouse Angel after their Chris Towey (pictured right) inspired 4-2 home win over Handsworth Old Boys. Dean Smith gave Handsworth a first minute lead and they held onto it until the break, but after Paul Barnett levelled for Angel there only looked like one winner. Chris Towey headed them in front before hitting his second from the penalty spot. Towey then knocked the ball back for Gareth Simons to head Angel's fourth, making Harrison Wyatt second for Handsworth only a consolation.

Steve Morris (pictured left) bagged two goals as the already promoted Laycock Sports closed in on the title with a 4-1 home win over Hollin Bush. Stavros Kontou headed Laycock's first from Sam Read's cross before Morris latched onto John Kilcoyne's through ball to hit their second. Read then added his twentyninth of the season, before Morris completed the scoring. Laycock's need to win their final game to make sure they take the title.

Division 2 - Ranch celebrate in style, while Brinsworth & Fairbank continue the chase for promotion

Player manager Carl Pearce was again on target as Ranch celebrated winning the title with a 4-0 victory at Birley Moor News. After a goalless first half and a half time rocket from Pearce he showed his team how to do it when he met Ben Hartley's corner to head Ranch in front. Richard Honeyman added their second, before Richard Berry headed Steve Batty's cross home. Jordan Stead then hit a real screamer into the top corner before the champagne corks started popping.

Who goes up with them is still no clearer with just three points separating five clubs. After an own goal gave Brinsworth Whitehill the lead against fellow promotion rivals Bulls Head, Bazil Nyoni (pictured right) scored a terrific goal to double their lead. Jamie Radford added a third before the break and with no further goals in the second half it was enough to lift Brinsworth into the automatic promotion places for the time being at least.

A Joe Knight double and a great display by Richard Tidy were the foundation stones of Fairbank-Rhodes 4-0 victory at Colley. Scott Whittington and Mark Draycott added their others to leave them just three points below third place Brinsworth. Rivelin continued their second half of the season revival as Josh Bermingham scored all their goals in a 3-1 win at Oughtibridge Village. Paul Hawksworth's goal for Oughtibridge took him into double figures, but it couldn't stop their eleventh defeat of the season.

14-Apr - CBC Premier - West End need one more win, but Niagara need a miracle

After Stannington Village could only draw at home to Redmires, Woodhouse West End are just one win away from retaining the CBC Premier title after their 3-0 victory at Handsworth WMC, but at the other end of the table Gavin Hunter's (pictured leftt) treble paved the way for Ecclesfield 147's crucial victory over a Niagara that now need a miracle to avoid the drop.

West End led at half time thanks to Dave Kippax's stunning free kick into the top corner and although Handsworth were giving a good account of themselves, Ashleigh Atkins netted a second from the edge of the area before Anthony Dolan sealed the win with a headed third in the final minute.

Stannington Village knew they had to win to keep any realistic title hopes alive, but after a goalless first half they fell behind to John Mellor's strike for Redmires. Stannington up the pressure after that and grabbed an equaliser when Jack Mylnek headed Sean Flynn's cross home. After that Redmires looked the more likely winners as they sought the victory that would have helped them secure the runners-up spot, but both sides had to settle for a point.

Ecclesfield 147 again had to start against Niagara with a weakened side with Paul Bashforth deputising in goal despite a hamstring injury, but they got on with it and took the lead when Chris France flicked on for Gavin Hunter to score. Hunter then turned provider for Richard Adams to hit his first goal for the club and the game was as good as over when Hunter grabbed his second just before the break. Hunter then chipped in a terrific goal to complete his hat-trick before Ben Dronfield grabbed a consolation for a Niagara side that now need to win all their remaining games by big scores and hope that Ecclesfield lose all their's by equally large margins.

Division 1 - The Vine go second as Civil Service left looking over their shoulders

Joe France (pictured right) bagged a brace as The Vine moved into second place with a 3-0 victory at Red Lion. Vine took a half time lead when France headed Danny Seaman's corner home and in the second half he doubled their lead when he added a good finish to Brent Healey's cross. France then turned provider for Ricky Davidson to head home the clincher and make them a very good bet to go up.

After looking certainties to go up just a few weeks ago, Civil Service slipped to third after a last minute defeat by Woodhouse Angel who now look favourites to take the third automatic promotion place away from Service. Ben Sanderson headed Service into the lead, but Angel responded with a Steve Jackson equaliser before half time. Stewart Groves then headed Angel into the lead, but Service looked to have rescued a point with another header from Adam Firth. It wasn't to be though as Groves took the ball in his stride in the final minute before rifling the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Angel just three five points behind Service with three games in hand on them.

In between them is FC Brimington and they stayed in contention when Elliott Christie' took advantage of some hesitant defending to score the only goal of the game in the final minute at Loxley.

Division 2 - Fairbank-Rhodes move up to third

Fairbank-Rhodes moved up to third place after a crucial 3-1 home win over promotion rivals Aston, but with only two points separating them and the four clubs below them, it's still anyone's guess who will be going up with champions Ranch. John Tomlinson's long range strike gave Fairbank a first half lead and with Andy Baxter again pulling the strings in midfield, Tom Hebdidge doubled their lead. Leading scorer Joe Knight then added his nineteen goal of the season before Aston pulled one back through Steven Jeffries

19-Apr - CBC Premier - West End clinch the title, while Niagara go down

Woodhouse West End went into their game at Hemsworth Villa knowing that victory would see them land their second successive CBC Premier title and they got it when a single James Walters (pictured left) strike after twenty minutes proved enough to win a very tight game. Villa made them sweat for it though despite having to play leading scorer Nick Owen in goal. They also lost his strike partner David Tollerfield when he damaged his knee ligaments early in the game, but Villa kept their composure and took the game to West End whenever they could. The loss of the two strikers proved decisive in the end though as there was no end result to their build up play and West End held on to win and set the celebrations underway. More pictures from the game are shown below.

Ecclesfield 147 went into their home game against Stannington Village knowing that just a point would be good enough to guarantee their survival and send Niagara down. For the first time in weeks Ecclesfield were able to play an almost full strength side and what a difference it made as they brushed aside a Stannington side still looking to add a League Runners-up spot to their Macron Cup Final appearance. For the second time in just a few days Gavin Hunter (pictured right) was the star as he grabbed his second hat-trick in as many games. A goalless first half saw both sides lose players to injury when Shane Whittles and Eddie Payne clashed heads, but the second half saw Hunter grab two quick goals before Richard Adams scored his second in as many games to make it three. Sean Flynn pulled one back for Stannington, but any thoughts of a comeback were quickly dispelled as Scott Touhey set Hunter up for his hat-trick.

Niagara went down fighting  though as they found their shooting boots at long last to beat Stocksbridge Park Steels 4-2. Chris Kelly put Steels ahead with a shot that deceived the keeper and although Ben Dronfield levelled, Niagara found themselves behind again when Kevin Davis blasted home a free kick. Niagara fought back a second time as Paul Cadman equalised and early in the second half, Cadman was on hand to put them in front before Scott Wostenholme wrapped up the scoring for a win that came just a little to late.

Division 1 - The Vine, FC Brimington and Heeley Crown all go goal crazy in the race to go up

The Division One promotion race reached boiling point as three of the contenders all secured big wins. Steve Wilkinson and Joe France both hit trebles as The Vine stayed second place with an 8-0 victory at Junior Blades. Wilkinson put Vine ahead early on and France headed a second, but the killer goal came right on the stroke of half time when Craig Woolley fired home. The second half became a procession with France and Wilkinson completing their hat-tricks along with a Danny Seaman strike.

Paddy O'Brien hit what must have been one of the fastest hat-tricks on record as Heeley Crown won a remarkable game at Hollin Bush. Lea Budd had headed Heeley Crown into a first half lead and, with just five minutes remaining, it looked as if that would be the only goal of the game, but O'Brien then hit three in three minutes before Nick Eason and Ryan Smith added a couple more to make it possibly the closest 6-0 game in history.

The days biggest score went to FC Brimington, who warmed up for this weekend's Sunday's Sunday Junior Cup Final against Cottage at Stocksbridge Park Steels Look Local Stadium with a 13-2 hammering of Southey Social. Andy Crossland hit five, Michael Gartlan three, Elliott Christie two and the others came from Tom Brooke, Jervaise Christie and an own goal, while Southey's two consolations came from leading scorer Chris Roberts and Nicky Danks.

Woodhouse Angel kept their challenge in tact, but only just as Lee Marshall's single goal proved to be just enough for them. It was a terrific piece of opportunism when it came though as Loxley keeper came out of his area to head clear, but he didn't get it far enough away and Marshall brought the ball down before lobbing it back into the empty net. Loxley tried to get back into it and John Bailey hit the bar late on, but Angel held on to their precious three points.

At the other end of the table Red Lion missed a chance to put pressure on the teams above them and stay firmly in the bottom three after a 2-1 home defeat by Handsworth Old Boys. Liam Shipstone gave Handsworth a first half lead and it was doubled after the break when Sam Plant planted a free kick into the top corner. Lion had had their chances though and had hit the post before Chris Leek finally pulled one back, but they continued to squander chances and Handsworth held on.

Division 2 - Mitchell hits four as Anvil clinch promotion, but third place still up for grabs

Alistair Mitchell took himself to the top of the twentytwo Leading Scorer charts with four goals as Anvil clinched second place and promotion with a 6-3 win at Aston. Anvil even gave their hosts a goal start when a defender put the ball past his own keeper, but Mitchell soon levelled and then put his side ahead from the penalty spot. Mitchell added two more before the break and when Dean Jepson added a fifth it looked all over, but Aston hit back with Scott McKenna and Andrew Peters strikes. That was as close as they got though and Jepson made the runners-up spot and promotion safe with his second.

Bulls Head regained third place as they gained revenge over promotion rivals Brinsworth Whitehill. Matt Adams put Bull ahead from just outside the area just before the break and soon after it Jordan Barton took advantage of a defensive error to double their advantage. Both sides then hit the bar before Matt Law wrapped up the three points with Bulls third.

Fairbank-Rhodes started the day in third place but their fourth game in eight days caught up with them and they slumped to a 3-1 home defeat by Rivelin. After a goalless first half, Rivelin took the lead with a Tom Bermingham free kick before his brother Josh added a second. Gareth Howe then added a third before Andy Baxter pulled one back for Fairbank from the penalty spot.

Anston Athletic missed their chance to go third when they were held to a 1-1 draw by The Park. Ben Lee looked to have given The Park all three points when he scored with little more than five minutes remaining, but Anston pressed hard for an equaliser that came when Adam Bellamy's shot fell kindly for Simon Herberts to poke the ball home. Third place is still anybody's though as only two points separate five clubs.

Oughtibridge Village are certain to finish in the bottom three after a narrow 2-1 defeat by new champions. Danny Hill put Village ahead after just twenty minutes as they took advantage of a Ranch side that had little to play for after already clinching the Division Two title. Ranch eventually shook themselves and they drew level when Ian Buckley's free kick evaded everyone before finding the net. They also made the now regular move of taking Richard Berry out of goal and playing him up front and once again the move paid off when he finished off a short corner routine worked by brothers Tom and Ben Hartley. Ranch (pictured left: Back Row (Left To Right) - Adam Hadfield, Oliver Whittaker, Steve Batty, Richard Berry, Carl Pearce, Richard Honeyman, Ben Hartley, Carl Wajs (Coach)  Front Row (Left To Right) - Chris Hall, James Brown, Ian Buckley, Chris Wajs, Jordan Stead, Tom Hartley, Ian 'The Vetran' Cooper).

20-Apr - CBC Premier - Hardy likes the Venue and brings a smile to Handsworth

Venue slumped to their fifth home defeat of the season when a single Kieran Gallagher strike in the first half gave Handsworth WMC victory. Ryan Cockayne and Richard Gill both missed early chances for Venue and Scott Birch forced Handsworth keeper Liam Richardson into a number of saves. Richardson then had a hand in the goal when his long clearance was flicked on by Liam Simmonite to Gallagher who lobbed the keeper. Matt Sykes then had a shot well saved, Tom Crosby hit the bar with a free kick and Paul Renshaw went close with a header, but it was defender Ryan Hardy that took Handsworth's man of the match for his outstanding display at the back.

21-Apr - Division 1 - Read all about it - Laycock's take the title, while Wilkinson puts Stannington to the sword

Sam Read was the two goal hero as Laycock Sports clinched the Division One title with a 2-1 away win at Handsworth Old Boys. Read gave them the perfect start with a goal in the first minute, but Handsworth gave it all they could and eventually grabbed a deserved equaliser with ten minutes remaining. Laycock’s weren’t to be denied though and full back Luke Glaves played the ball perfectly for Read to hit his second of the game. Pictured right, from left to right: Back Row: Mark Plumtree, Simon Turner, Andy Register, Matt Kent, Mick Plumtree, Chris Gill, Adam Clark, Sam Read, Luke Glaves, John Kilcoyne, Alan Parkin Front Row: Grant Parkin, Mark Kay, Dan Bascombe, Jack Cheetham, Steve Morris, Tom Register, Matt Edwards, Lloyd McPherson, inset is Stavros Kontou.

The Vine were also celebrating after clinching promotion to the CBC Premier for the first time with a 5-1 win over Stannington Sportsman. Ricky Gregory opened the scoring with a header from close range, before Steven Wilkinson added a second from edge of area to make it 2-0 at half time. Chris King pulled one back with a free kick, but Steven Wilkinson scored shortly afterwards to restore Vine's two goal lead. They extended it when sub Andrew Marsh scored with an header from corner, before Danny Seaman beat the offside trap late on to complete the scoring.

Division 2 - Berry double denies Aston

Despite fighting back from two goals down, Aston's automatic promotion hopes took a tumble when Richard Berry scored his second of the game to give champions Ranch a 3-2 victory. Berry latched onto a long clearance to give Ranch the lead and Richard Honeyman tapped the ball into an open goal to double it. Aston reduced the arrears before half time when Scott McKenna pounced after the keeper had blocked James Davies' shot and soon after the interval Stephen Jeffries drew them level, but Aston's attempts to climb back into the top three were hit when Berry scored with a spectacular scissors kick after the keeper had initially kept out Ben Hartley's header.

22-Apr - Division 1 - Angel & Crown draw so The Vine are runners-up

Lance Dixon's goal for Woodhouse Angel just past the hour was cancelled out by Lea Budd's strike ten minutes later to give both sides the draw that does little to help either side's promotion ambitions, but it does ensure that The Vine end the season as runners-up.

23-Apr - CBC Premier - Kippax double snookers 147

Although Gavin Hunter hit his eighth goal in four games to give Ecclesfield 147 a tenth minute lead, Woodhouse West End hit back to level before half time through James Walters. After the break Dave Kippax (pictured right) hit a thunderbolt free kick into the top corner to put West End in front and he made certain with a header late in the game.

Division 1 - Chris is King for Sportsman, while Bagshaw double gives Bush a chance

Chris King's (pictured left) free kick for his nineteenth goal of the season midway through the second half gave Stannington Sportsman all three points at fellow strugglers Red Lion. The win makes Sportsman favourites to avoid the drop and leaves Lion in deep trouble. Hollin Bush also gave themselves a chance of avoiding the drop with a 4-1 at a Junior Blades now certain to finish bottom. Dave Thornhill gave Bush the lead, but saw it cancelled out before the break. Daniel Cooper put Bush back in front after half time and Luke Bagshaw grabbed two more to seal the victory.

Division 2 - Anston late show puts them third, as Brinsworth lose out to leaders

Joe Knight hit his twentieth goal of the season to give Fairbank-Rhodes the lead at Anston Athletic, but, with just ten minutes remaining, Anston sub Joe Bellamy beat two defenders before rifling into the top corner, before Adam Russell found the far corner. With time almost up it left Anston in the last automatic promotion place for the time being and Fairbank out of the promotion race.

Brinsworth Whitehill would have gone third if they had beaten leaders Ranch, but the new champions went into a tenth minute lead when Tom Hartley netted after playing a neat one two with Richard Berry and their lead was doubled just before the break when Hartley's cross was diverted past his own keeper by a Brinsworth defender. Brinsworth had had plenty of the game though, hitting both bar & post and after the break they continued to pass up chances to get back into the game. Ranch finally finished them off though when Steve Batty's long throw saw veteran Ian Cooper (pictured right) make his two hundred and fifty mile round trip worthwhile as he rose like a salmon to head on for Richard Honeyman to score their third

26-Apr - Sunday Junior Cup Final - FC Brimington take the Cup in style

FC Brimington became only the second Blades Super Draw League side to win the County FA Sunday Junior Cup when they beat Barnsley & District Sunday League side Cottage 4-2 at the Look Local Stadium, Bracken Moor Stocksbridge.

The first half saw Cottage keeper Craig Watson make important stops from Michael Gartlan and Andrew Crossland, and Elliott Christie squandered a great chance after rounding Watson, but Cottage had some chances of their own and Stuart Butler hit the bar before FC Brimington keeper tipped another shot over. Just before half time Cottage suffered a blow when they lost Craig Brooke to injury when he turned his ankle and couldn't continue.

FC Brimington took charge in the second half when Thomas Brooke put Andrew Crossland through and he chipped the ball over Watson into the roof of the net (see picture left). Soon after Crossland produced a bit of magic in the corner to leave a defender for dead before playing the ball for Michael Gartlan to smash the ball into the net. Cottage responded and were given a real boost when a free kick was turned past his own keeper by the unlucky Matt Falconer. With their impressive skipper Mick Jones (pictured right) driving Cottage on another quick break saw Grant Cusworth play a perfect through ball for Justin Greenwood to level for the Barnsley side.

Brimington gathered themselves and when Gartlan chased a poor back pass he was brought down and after consulting his assistant, referee George Dransfield pointed to the penalty spot. After the protests died down, Thomas Brooke stepped up to calmly place his spot kick past the keeper and put Brimington back in front. Cottage tried to respond, but it was FC Brimington that wrapped things up when Gartlan left his marker in his wake before hitting the ball into the top corner.

At the end it was left to FC Brimington skipper Ben Thomas to step up and take the cup from Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Chairman Maurice Matthews (see picture left below) before FC Brimington's celebrations began (see picture right below)

CBC Premier - Redmires snookered by 147

Redmires attempt to be the CBC Premier runners-up were hit by a 2-1 defeat at Ecclesfield 147. Redmires took the lead when John Mellor was upended in the box by keeper Ben Hill and referee Matt Walsh pointed to the spot. Mellor picked himself up to convert the penalty, but right on the stroke of half time Craig Senior scored from a corner to bring Ecclesfield level. The second half saw Ecclesfield create more of the chances and when Gavin Hunter crossed for brother Kevin, he headed home the winner.

Macron Cup finalists Stannington Village's attempt to overtake them wasn't helped when they twice let a lead slip before drawing at Hemsworth Villa. Villa defender Danny Braybrook gave Stannington a gift start when he put the ball past his own keeper, but Villa levelled when Mark Hopkinson won the ball in midfield before feeding Ian Holmes to finish. Stannington went back in front before half time though when Shane Toulson showed a bit of class to score, but in the second half Villa increased their tempo and with Stefan Harris outstanding, levelled a second time when Scott Moat fed Nick Owen for his thirteenth goal of the season.  Action from the game is below:

Above, Ian Holmes shoots and scores and below far left, Shane Toulson is about to score from an impossible angle. The other pictures show both defences coming under pressure.

The CBC Premier's other game saw Venue complete their programme with victory over Niagara. Craig Foster netted after a scramble in front of goal to give Niagara the lead, but it lasted just thirty seconds as Ryan Cockayne levelled for Venue. They then went in front when Craig Thickett was on hand to knock the ball home after Richard Gill's shot had come back off a post and Venue increased it when Scott Birch latched onto James Marks long clearance to race through and score. Niagara didn't give up though and pulled one back through Ryan Sorby, but like much of their season, it wasn't quite enough.

Division 1 - Sportsman are safe, but Southey and Red Lion are left sweating

Two goals from Johnny Davis along with one each from Chris Greenwood and Joe Lilleyman gave Stannington Sportsman a 4-0 victory over Southey Social and made sure that Sportsman would spend another season in Division One, but it left Southey on the brink of the drop as they now have to rely on Hollin Bush not completing the double over Junior Blades.

Red Lion's plight looks even worse after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat by Woodhouse Angel. Ryan Barker gave them the perfect start when he put them ahead, but Lance Dixon fastened onto Kirk Briddon's through ball to level and Briddon was again the provider when Chris Towey headed his cross home for the winner. Lion they have two games left to try to rescue the situation, but they are both against teams going all out for the third promotion place.

Already promoted The Vine let a two goal lead slip before drawing at Handsworth Old Boys. Brent Healey cottoned on to Craig Daughtry's pass to give The Vine a first half lead, but just after the break Danny Levesley levelled from the penalty spot. Ricky Davidson crossed for Daughtry to restore The Vine's lead and it looked all over when Joe France put them 3-1 in front, but Handsworth fought back to claim a share of the spoils with two Dean Smith strikes.

Division 2 - Anston Athletic take the third promotion place

Despite their veteran manager Dale Turner having to play a full ninety minutes, Anston Athletic clinched promotion from Division Two with a 3-2 victory at Rivelin. A push in the penalty area allowed Adam Russell to score from the penalty spot, but after the break Gareth Howe scored to bring Rivelin level. Anston went back in front when Russell netted his one hundred and forty ninth goal for the club when he headed Matt Townsend's cross home and Joe Bellamy increased their lead when he ended his solo run down the left by curling the ball past the keeper.

Injury ravaged Bulls Head's chances of landing that third spot went with a 3-1 home defeat by Aston. Ash Baker headed Aston into a tenth minute lead and that was the only goal until ten minutes from time when Billy Evans netted Aston's second after a scramble in the six yard box. After Aston had lost Josh Bell to concussion, Jordan Barton beat two defenders to score and give Bulls Head a chance to get something out of the game, but that chance went Jamie Milton took a sliderule pass in his stride to score Aston's third.  Bulls Head could finish fourth as they have one game left and fourth might be enough to go up.

Brinsworth Whitehill currently hold fourth place after a 3-0 victory at Birley Moor News. After a goalless first half, Bazil Nyoni scored one of the goals of the season when he smashed the ball home from the tightest of angles and wide on the right. Jamie Radford added a second before Danny Marsden finished the scoring. Despite both Jordan Stead and Ben Hartley going close, champions Ranch ended their season with a goalless draw at Oughtibridge Village. It hasn't been the best of season's for Village, but their efforts in this one gave their retiring secretary Malcolm Ford something to be proud of.

28-Apr - CBC Premier - Stannington close in on the runners-up spot

Stannington Village are just two points behind second place Redmires after coming from behind to beat Niagara 2-1 and with three games in hand they now look certain to take the runners-up spot. Niagara took the lead when Tom Staniforth followed up after a free kick, but in the second half two quality finishes by Joe Barker gave the points to Stannington.

Division 1 - Brimington go third & now have to wait, but Red Lion now certain to finish in bottom three

FC Brimington climbed into the final automatic promotion place for the time being at least with a 3-1 victory at Red Lion that had just about everything. A four man move saw Elliott Christie give Brimington the lead and soon after he had to take over in goal when keeper Andrew Bridgewater was injured, Christie saved Ryan Barker’s penalty. Barker had more bad luck when his shot hit a post before Michael Gartlan doubled Brimington’s lead in the second half. A handball by Thomas Brooke gave Lion a second penalty and this time Greg Shaw stepped up and made no mistake. Despite also losing their keeper to injury, Lion then had a period of sustained pressure, but their luck went right out when a long clearance by Brimington’s Edward Surplice deceived their stand-in keeper and bounced over his head into the empty net. Civil Service now face Lion in their final game when they need a point to go back above Brimington and take that final promotion place

Heeley Crown moved up a place with a 5-3 victory at Stannington Sportsman. Ryan Smith’s deflected shot gave Crown the lead and although it was almost immediately cancelled out by Dane Hurst, Crown went 3-1 in front through Paddy O’Brien and Gary Sidebottom strikes. Chris King pulled one back from the penalty spot before half time, but another goal each for Sidebottom and O’Brien had the game won before Tom Hughes grabbed a third consolation for Stannington.

30-Apr - CBC Premier - Stannington still need a point

Stannington Village missed the chance to take the runners-up spot when they were held by Handsworth WMC. After Robert Pratt had already had one shot saved he gave Handsworth the lead when he followed up Tom Crosby's free kick, but Stannington did better in the second half and drew level when Gary Whittaker's cross was finished off at the back post by Simon Howe. Stannington continued to press for a winner and had a good penalty shout turned down, but Handsworth had their moments including a David Cawrey effort in his final game for the club.

Hemsworth Villa finished their campaign with a 1-0 victory at Ecclesfield 147. Both sides had chances, with Paul Bashforth needing to make a terrific save from Villa's Keith Cronin, while 147's Gavin Hunter had one cleared off the line. The winner came when Scott Moat sidestepped two players in midfield before setting up Jim Linfoot to score.

Division 1 - Skipper Simon makes it look simple as Service go up

Sheffield Civil Service took the final promotion place in Division One when they beat Red Lion 3-0. Skipper Simon Hall (pictured left) led the way when his cross shot found the top corner before Matt Meaney finished off the best move of the game. Lion tried to respond and went close a couple of times, but it was Service that completed the scoring in the final minute when Matt Fisher scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot.

Second half goals from Gareth Wilkinson and Terry France saw Hollin Bush to victory over Junior Blades and out of the bottom three. Southey Social will be relegated as a result.

The Vine completed their successful promotion campaign with a 1-1 draw against a Heeley Crown side that should start next season as one of the favourites to follow The Vine into the top flight. Ricky Davidson took just four minutes to set Joe France up for The Vine's goal, but in a game well kept under control by the Macron Cup Final referee Kevin Bridges, Crown hit back to claim a point with an outrageous Paddy O'Brien strike from wide on the right.

Despite a Matt Jessermino strike, Chris King's final game for Stannington Sportsman didn't go as planned as Woodhouse Angel tore up the script to win 4-1 with a Kirk Smith double and one each from Lee Marshall and Kirk Smith.

Division 2 - The Law-man leads Bull to fourth and possible promotion

The final game of the Division Two programme saw Bulls Head needing to win to rise to fourth and a possible promotion place. It didn't look good when they fell behind to a Liam Maloney strike for a Rivelin side that dominated the first half, but Bulls Head hit back to level with a Matt Law header before winning it when Jordan Barton ended his terrific solo run with a great finish to win it and take that precious fourth place.

3-May - CBC Premier - West End complete perfect away record to leave Stannington still needing a point

In a rehearsal for next week's Macron Cup Final, Woodhouse West End beat Stannington Village 2-1 to complete their away programme with a one hundred per cent win record, but the defeat left Stannington still needing a point to claim the runners-up spot. West End started with Dave Kippax (pictured right) playing an unaccustomed role up front and the move paid off when he scored with a terrific shot from twenty five yards. Stannington hit back and after the best move of the game, Sean Flynn supplied the cross for Josh Ranson to volley home from six yards. The second half saw West End go back in front when Jason Short's shot rebounded to Ashleigh Atkins who made no mistake. After that they had to withstand a barrage from the home side and Stannington hit a post and they had one disallowed, but they couldn't break down a defence that has conceded just fourteen league goals.

5-May - Need a pitch in the summer? A special deal for Blades Super Draw League clubs

Finding a suitable pitch over the summer period is often difficult so the Blades Super Draw League has teamed up with The University of Sheffield to provide Blades Super Draw teams with 60% discounts for a top quality pitch to play Summer friendlies and pre season fixtures. All matches will be played at the Goodwin Sports Centre on a 3G (rubber crumb) pitch with a range of evening and weekend slots available to suit your team.

This is a great opportunity for Blades Super Draw teams to keep ticking over during the summer, or to prepare for the 2009/10 season. If you would like to book a pitch, or require further information, please contact Spencer at the Goodwin Sports Centre on 2226955 or s.a.taylor@sheffield.ac.uk

7-May - CBC Premier - Village people cross Bridge to take second place

Stannington Village landed the runners-up spot in the CBC Premier by winning their final game of the season 4-0 at Stocksbridge Park Steels. All that separated the teams in the first half was a Josh Coulson shot that deceived the keeper, but Village stepped up a gear in the second half and doubled their lead when Jamie Oxley chipped the ball over the keeper. Shane Toulson then played a quick one-two with Gary Whittaker before scoring the third and Whittaker added his name to the scoresheet when he beat the advancing keeper to the ball.

15-May - West End feel the Payne as Eddie wins it for Stannington

Bramall Lane has rarely seen a better goal than the one that won the Blades Super Draw League’s Macron Cup Final and Eddie Payne’s strike for Stannington Village was worthy of winning a Cup Final at any level of the game. The Stannington centre back Payne won the ball on the edge of his own area and set off on a run that took him into the Woodhouse West End half. With no one coming to close him down he continued forward and just as he reached the West End penalty area he unleashed a shot that flew past West End keeper John Badkin into the far corner of the net.

West End had dominated the early stages of the game and had a Jason Short effort disallowed for a very narrow offside decision. Ashley Atkins had a free kick tipped onto the bar by keeper John Grayson and Danny Hooper might have done better with two headers, while the nearest Village came was a Tom Morton shot that was tipped over the bar.

Atkins had been West End’s most dangerous forward, so it was a real blow when he had to give way to an ankle injury. West End, with Anthony Dolan causing problems down the right, was still having more of the play after the break though and thought they should have had a penalty when Short was brought down on the edge of the area. Village, with midfielder Shane Toulson having a greater influence on the game, began to get more into the game and as the West End defence began to creek Shaun Flynn carved the West End defence wide open, only to see Toulson waste the chance to put Stannington ahead.

It was a brief respite though as just a couple of minutes later Payne carved through the West End defence to score his wonder goal and when Jack Mylnek started a move that saw Toulson rip the West End defence open, Josh Coulson’s volley was denied the goal it was worth by a terrific save by Badkin. With West End throwing caution to the wind, Mylnek had another great chance to put the game out of reach, but after finding himself one on one with Badkin, he shot wide.

Eddie Holmes hits the winner (below)