7 Dec 2008 - Division 1 - Read all about it -Laycock's go top, while Southey & Handsworth draw

Division One has new leaders after Laycock Sports overcame in-form Loxley 4-1. Loxley were first to show and almost took the lead when Simon Mirfin’s shot came back off the bar, but Laycock’s quickly got into their stride and Luke Glaves’ third goal of the season gave them just the start they wanted. Although Loxley hit back to level with Glen Kirkby’s first goal of the season, they were behind again before the break when Laycock’s leading scorer Sam Read headed home from a Steve Morris corner.

The second half saw Laycock’s take control when John Kilcoyne went on a solo run before beating the keeper at the near post and man of the match Sam Read made certain of top spot for Laycock’s with a solo run and finish of his own. After that Andy Register had one disallowed, but Loxley kept plugging away and came close to reducing the arrears a couple of times.

Southey Social’s home game against Handsworth Old Boys on Southey’s 3G pitch at Concord Park paid real was never in doubt. They might have wished it hadn’t gone ahead though when, despite a Chris Roberts goal, they trailed 2-1 at half time to one from Gareth Griffiths and one from Kieran Fairchild.

After the interval it looked even more certain that Handsworth would claim all three points when Griffiths extended their lead with his second of the game, but Southey gave themselves a chance when Ian Hendrie pounced to power home the loose ball after a scramble in front of goal and they earned themselves a point when Roberts hit his second goal of the game from substitute Richard Spencer’s cross. Both sides were also grateful to referee Steve Wilman (pictured right) after he stepped in to referee after his original game had been postponed.

Division 2 - Good News for Birley

The only Division Two match to survive saw Birley Moor News end their five match run without a win by beating bottom club Crookes & District 4-2. Crookes have developed a habit of taking control of a game and then letting it slip from their grasp and this was no exception. Sam Firth put them in front only to see John Merritt scramble home an equaliser for Birley. Crookes’ leading scorer Ainslie Cawley then struck his eighth goal of the season to put his side back in front, but yet again they were pegged back when Pete Sheldon rifled home a second equaliser before half time.

The second half saw Birley gain the momentum over their visitors, but when the deciding goals came they were both helped by wicked deflections. Shaun Greaves hit the first  and Danny Lax the second, but it was no more than Birley’s second half dominance deserved as they condemned Crookes to a fourth straight defeat.

League Cup - Stannington climb over The Vine

Although five second round League Cup ties and two third round ties were postponed, one third round tie managed to play and it saw former holders Stannington Village come from behind to beat semi finalists for the last two seasons, The Vine, 3-1 after extra time.

Both sides found it difficult to adapt to the tricky conditions and it was no surprise that the first half remained goalless, but as the ground temperature rose so did the efforts of The Vine and it was no surprise when they went in front on the hour mark. The opener came after Ricky Davidson was brought down in the area and he picked himself up to beat the keeper and give the Division One side the lead.

Stannington responded by sending on sub Gary Whittaker and it proved to be an inspired move as he pulled his side level with his first touch of the game. That took the game into extra time and Stannington’s CBC Premier class began to show as David Shepherd volleyed through a crowd of players to put Stannington in front before Shane Toulson secured their place in the quarter finals by tapping home a third.

CBC Premier - The big freeze wins

Both the day's scheduled CBC Premier games were postponed due to the overnight freeze.

14 Dec 2008 - CBC Premier - A complete wash out

All the day's scheduled CBC Premier games were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Division 1 - Laycock's tangled up by The Vine

Division One leaders Laycock Sports failed to put any distance between themselves and the clubs behind them as goals by Ricky Davidson (pictured left) and Andy Marsh gave The Vine their first league win of the season.

The Vine had been the first side to take points off Laycock's this season when they met two weeks ago and were quickest to master the very difficult conditions. The took the lead after just seven minutes when Ricky Davidson converted Chris Hall's free kick, but Laycock's fought back and midway through the first half levelled through Luke Glaves' twenty yard shot. After the break Laycock's went all out for the winner, but The Vine continued to look dangerous and they won it when Chris Hall put Andy Marsh through to fire past the keeper. The referee Alan Streets also won plenty of praise from both sides for another terrific performance.

After the game The Vine showed the spirit that lies between the teams in the Blades Super Draw League by making a donation to the fund for Laycock's player Tom Register who suffered a broken leg when the two sides met a couple of weeks earlier.

Division 2 - Brinsworth derailed by Crookes

Brinsworth Whitehill's charge up the Division Two table was derailed by a Crookes & District that earned only it's second win of the season, but there was no such slip up by leaders Ranch who won at The Park. A Nathan Hanson double helped Anvil to victory over Anston Athletic and climb to second, while four Nick Ash and three Jordan Barton goals saw Bulls Head's win at Fairbank-Rhodes.

Brinsworth had only beaten Crookes by a single goal when the sides met a few weeks ago so, despite their hosts position at the foot of the table, they knew this wasn't going to be easy and their fears were confirmed after twenty minutes. The Brinsworth keeper failed to hold on to the ball in the difficult conditions and Crookes leading scorer Ainslie Cawley pounced to score his ninth league goal of the season.

Crookes, with Chris Cottyn dominating midfield continued to press and thought they had a second when Matt Hartley scored, but it was ruled out as he had just strayed offside. Brinsworth came out all guns blazing after the break and only the woodwork, great defending and good goalkeeping by Crookes keeper James Sedgley kept them out, but Crookes still looked dangerous on the break and when Chris Wilson raced through to grab a second for them with just ten minutes remaining the game was won.

Leaders Ranch took the lead at The Park when Tom Hartley's free kick caused panic in the goalmouth and Ranch's veteran 'icon' Ian Cooper reacted quickest to slam the ball home. They doubled their lead when Steve Batty's long throw was flicked on by Carl Pierce and Oliver Whittaker (pictured right) ghosted in to score and when Richard Honeyman crossed for Chris Hall to score his first of the season Ranch as good as had the game won by half time.

The Park did their best to get back into the game after the break and managed to pull one back through Greg Ramsden, Ranch restored their three goal lead when Honeyman had a shot parried by the keeper and Whittaker knocked home the rebound. The Park then had another chance to get back into the game when Batty brought Lee Bridges down in the penalty area, but Ben Lee saw Ranch's stand-in keeper Richard Berry (pictured left) fling himself to the right to make a brilliant save. This was like rubbing salt into their wounds as the versatile Berry had scored a hat-trick against The Park when the two sides met earlier in the season.

Despite falling behind to Adam Russell's header for Anston Athletic, Anvil moved back up to second with a convincing victory. Anvil responded with two Nathan Hanson goals and although Russell beat two defenders to bring Anston level, once Alistair Mitchell restored their lead they never looked like losing it again. Matt Asher hit his fourteenth league goal of the season before Danny Hirst added a fifth to lift Anvil back up to second. Anston secretary Dale Turner had had to take the referees whistle at short notice and despite his side's defeat was full of praise for the way that both sides accepted his decisions and the good spirit the game was played in.

After not winning since the end of October, Bulls Head got their show back on the road by gaining revenge over a Fairbank-Rhodes side they lost to a couple of weeks ago. Even though Nick Ash gave Bulls Head the lead, Fairbank weren't out of the game until three goals in the last five minutes of the first half put the visitors in complete control. Five minutes from the break Ash hit his second and two minutes later his third, before Jordan Barton got in on the scoring act by adding Bulls Head's fourth on the stroke of half time.

There was no way back for Fairbank after that and the second half stated off the way the first had ended as Barton grabbed his second. Barton then completed his hat-trick before Ash grabbed his fourth of the game, but it wasn't enough to give him the man of the match award as that went to Matt Evans. Fairbank eventually got some reward when Andy Baxter scored from the penalty spot. Referee Kevin Dearman was another official to get praise for his handling of the game in the tricky conditions.

14 Dec 2008 - Matt calls it a day

Handsworth WMC's stalwart Matt Hodgett has decided to hang his boots up after a long and successful career with the club, scoring plenty of goals and causing many defences real deadaches. Although Matt is just 33 years old, he has suffered a serious broken leg and 2 cruciate knee ligament injuries in his career which kept him out of the game for 3 years. He returned in 2007/08 and won a League Cup winners medal at Bramall Lane. He has been a great servant to Handsworth WMC and the Blades Super Draw League. Pictured right is Matt in action in both the semi final and final at Bramall Lane.

21 Dec 2008 - Senior Cup - West End Show goes on, but it's the end of the run for Stannington

Woodhouse West End kicking into the wind had the best of the half and chances but couldn't take any of them. They restricted a good AFC Gardens side to few if any chances and were disappointed to go in at half time not winning. Second half and with the wind more behind them West End got more and more on top but it was  AFC Gardens that broke the deadlock scored midway through the 2nd half and against the run of play when West End game the ball away in midfield and a fast break by AFC Gardens saw them open the scoring, although keeper John Badkin very nearly pulled off a great point blank save only to see the ball trickle over the line.

On a heavy pitch West End Manager - Billy Fuller sent on three subs who gave them more impetus and all three players played there part in allowing West End to get back in the game via a well taken penalty from skipper Dale Fuller (pictured left) after Ashley Atkins was upended in the box after a powerful run. West End continued to have the better of the game and chances in normal time.

In extra time West End remained solid in defence with man of the match -Danny Hooper continuing to excel. A well taken goal by Ashley Atkins saw West End lead for the first time at the start of the second half of extra time and a brilliant 25 yeard free kick from sub Lee Dolan made the tie safe for West End to continue their 100% record in all competitions - possibly the only team in Sheffield to boast such a record. Referee Alan Streets commented how enjoyable the game was in slightly difficult conditions - heavy pitch and windy. Although Danny Hooper took the man of the match award, there was many other good performances from Dale Fuller, David Haley and Alan Hull to name a few.

Stannington Village's great run came to an end though as they conceded goals in each half to bow out 2-0 at Groves Social. Their hero of the last two rounds, Sean Flynn, had their best chance when just a goal behind, but this time his effort went just wide and their hosts netted a second soon after to wrap up the tie.

Junior Cup - Sportsman's dozen and Angel through, but Crown and The Vine bow out

Johnny Davis and Chris Greenwood both hit four as Sportsman Stannington hammered twelve past an East Dene Social that hadn't conceded any goals in the two previous rounds and they are joined in the last 16 by Woodhouse Angel who had a narrow win over Conisbrough Alma. FC Brimington may also go through after The Dearne Hotel failed to show up for their tie, but Heeley Crown and The Vine both slipped to narrow defeats.

Sportsman Stannington entertained an East Dene Social that had kept clean sheets in each of the last two rounds, but despite trailing after half an hour, Sportsman hit back to destroy the East Dene defence with twelve goals. They were given an helping hand with an own goal for their equaliser, but after that there was no stopping them as both Johnny Davis and Chris Greenwood grabbed four goals each and Joe Lilleyman, Dane Hirst and Mark Gregory one each to win 12-2.

Also definitely through is Woodhouse Angel after they came back from two goals down to pip Conisbrough Alma 4-3. The absence of several key players looked as if it would be costly when Tom Goodall (pictured right) put through his own goal to give Alma the lead. They fell further behind, but got themselves back into the game just before half time when Kirk Briddon found the net and levelled soon afterwards with a thunderbolt free kick by Gareth Simons. Goodall then went from zero to hero when he finished off a well worked free kick to give Angel the lead, but with just five minutes remaining Alma's substitute came on to score with his first touch of the game. Angel kept their composure though and went straight back down the pitch to win it with a Lee Marshall strike. FC Brimington may also go through after their opponents, The Dearne Hotel, failed to show up for their tie.

Despite a hat-trick by substitute Craig Daughtry and one from Ricky Davidson, The Vine slipped out 5-4 at Carlton Park Hotel and a severely weakened Heeley Crown also went out, 3-1 at Brunsmeer Athletic. Anthony Sidney scored Crown's goal, but they missed too many other chances to get themselves into the game. Their one plus was the return of keeper Cameron Swift who gave a solid display after two months out through injury.

CBC Premier - Turner Prize is top spot for Abacrombie, while Oak no match for Steel

Millhouses Abacrombie are the CBC Premier's new leaders after four Danny Turner (pictured left) strikes saw them come from behind to win 5-2 at Niagara. Turner just missed with two headers before a deep cross to the back post was finished off by Paul Cadman to give Niagara a shock lead, but Abacrombie levelled when an early Christmas present by the Niagara keeper handed Turner his first. Danny Stewart put them ahead when his shot went in off a post and Turner extended their lead before the break after Joe Keating put him through. Niagara got back into it when Simon Staniforth grabbed their second, but Turner slammed home a free kick to restore Abacrombie's two goal advantage and he got onto the end of Michael Coley's run and cross to make ensure top spot was their's.

Another side to hit five was Stocksbridge Park Steels as they made sure that Pitsmoor Royal Oak went home still searching for their first away point. Matt Price supplied the cross for Chris Kelly to head home Steels' opener, but it is typical of Pitsmoor's luck this season when the normally reliable Leon Stocks missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot. Oak did eventually level before the break though when Scott Szpajer fired home, but the second half saw them overwhelmed by a rampant Steels. Adam Todd's neat turn and finish put the home side back in front and Kevin Davis extended it before Craig Barraclough headed a fourth and John McSeveney a fifth.

Redmires took the lead at home to Blue Ball when Ben Miller hit his first for the club from the edge of the area, but Ball levelled before the break when Richard Hanson headed his first of the season. The game looked likely to go Ball's way in the second half after Redmires were reduced to ten men, but it was the hosts that seemed inspired by their disadvantage and Andy Birks put them back in front before John Mellor hit their third. Ecclesfield 147 had a number of noticeable absentees for their visit to Handsworth WMC and after also missing a number of good chances, they paid for it when Kevin Hunter's goal from Danny Touhey's cross was cancelled out by Matt Sykes' strike for the home side.

Division 1 - Laycock's hit back to keep top spot, while Loxley go nap

In Division One, leaders Laycock Sports came from behind to beat second place Civil Service and open up a five point gap at the top. A tight first half was dominated by the defences, but soon after the break it was Civil Service that made the breakthrough when Barry Durrans produced a great strike from twenty yards. Their lead didn't last long though as John Kilcoyne (pictured right) produced an equally impressive strike and Laycock's took the lead when leading scorer Sam Read found the net. With Service pushing hard for an equaliser manager Richard Smith put on some fresh legs, but his plan backfired on him when Read produced the goal of the game by using his pace to charge all of eighty yards before going past the keeper to score.

Loxley are up to third place after they also hit five at home to Hollin Bush. John Bailey (pictured left) got onto the end of Craig Crownshaw's cross to open the scoring before Simon Mirfin finished off a move started by Adam Belk with a left foot shot into the roof of the net. After the break Bailey turned provider when his cross was headed down by Steve Mayfield for Crownshaw to score, before sub Richard Lester added the fourth. Lester also turned provider for the fifth when his lay off was finished off by Glen Kirkby's second goal in as many games.

Red Lion must have thought they were on to three much needed points when they twice had two goal leads at Southey Social, but both times the home side fought back and eventually Lion had to settle for a single point. Ryan Barker (pictured right) gave Lion the lead and after man-of-the-match Drew Jones run was ended with a foul in the penalty area, Barker added his second from the spot. Another penalty allowed Southey to get a foothold back into the game and they equalised with a terrific free kick by James Todd. After the break it was Lion again that took the initiative and strikes by Joe Mothersole and Greg Shaw looked to have won it for them, but first Shaun Wilcockson and then Richard Spencer earned Southey a share of the spoils.

Division 2 - The Park climb to top three, while Aston & Bulls Head also rise

In Division Two, despite falling behind to a Jamie Radford strike after just thirty seconds, The Park climbed to third with victory at Brinsworth Whitehill. Lee Bridges levelled for The Park, but a second from Radford put the home side back in front. When Tom Kirby lobbed a third it looked all over for The Park, but Bridges second got The Park back into the game and Greg Ramsden brought the visitors level just before half time. Both sides had chances after the break but it was The Park that eventually took them with Steve Simmons and Scott Sykes grabbing the goals that lifted them into the promotion places.

Right behind them though are Aston after they also recovered from a first minute goal to win at Colley. When Kim Johnson's cross was tapped home by Dean Constable after just thirty five seconds it looked as if Aston's ride up the table would be arrested, but  in the second half goals Josh Bell's header equalised and Aston won it when Scott McKenna poked past the Colley keeper into the bottom corner.

Bulls Head are also not far behind after their 4-0 victory over Oughtibridge Village. Leading scorer Nick Ash volley Bulls Head into the lead and when his shot was only parried by the keeper, Mike Wilkins tapped home their second. Sloppy defending allowed Ash to grab his second before the break and he completed his hat-trick in the second half, but was still pipped to man-of-the-match by an all action display from Mark Bryant (pictured left).

Although they let a two goal slip at one stage, Anston Athletic picked up their second home win of the season against Crookes & District. Adam Smith's header had some wind assistance over the line for Anston's first, but he didn't need any help when he scored his second from close range. Chris Wilson pulled one back for Crookes before the break and when Sam Firth levelled in the second half it looked as if the visitors would go on to win it, but it was Anston that went back in front when Matt Ruddle scrambled the ball home. Centre back Adam Russell then scored his eighth of the season before Joe Bellamy sealed their victory with Anston's fifth.

Fairbank-Rhodes continued their impressive away form with a win at Birley Moor News. Tom Hebdidge headed home Joe Knight's cross to give Fairbank the lead, but they soon found themselves behind after Denny Lax and Ashley Hughes strikes for Birley. Mark Draycott's volley to level right on the stroke of half time gave Fairbank just the boost they needed and with Danny Ashmore and Neil Boot running the show for the visitors, Fairbank always looked likely to win it, but it needed a penalty for Knight to put them back in front before Knight made it safe with his second.

Great Gesture by Stannington Village

The spirit that exists between clubs in the Blades Super Draw League was again displayed by Stannington Village after they raised funds for The Park's Lee Butler after he suffered a fractured shin in the recent cup tie between the two sides.