28 Sept 2008 - CBC Premier - Reeves is 147 Superman and Niagara celebrate with Foster's

Jayson Reeves (pictured left) grabbed a treble to take his goal tally for the club to 201 and inspire Ecclesfield 147 to their first win of the season at Pitsmoor Royal Oak and a Craig Foster treble did the same for Niagara at Handsworth WMC. Redmires also grabbed their first win by ending Stannington Village's perfect record, but both Woodhouse West End and Hemsworth Villa maintained their all-win records, while Millhouses Abacrombie and Stocksbridge Park Steels shared six goals.

Champions West End were away winners at last years runners up Blue Ball and raced into an early 3-0 lead through Danny Hooper, Mark Barraclough and James Short. With the dangerous Ashleigh Atkins causing Ball’s defence a lot of problems, Ball were struggling to cope but after the break they pulled one back when Joe Shaw was brought down and converted the penalty himself to give Ball some hope. However, West End  sealed the points when Lee Dolan stepped up to  convert a penalty for them. A word here for an excellent refereeing performance by Matt Walsh.

Hemsworth Villa also gained their third win of the season against promoted club Venue. Keith Cronin had given Villa an early lead following a flick on from a corner, but Venue didn’t wilt  and went into the break only one down. A freak goal put Villa further ahead. A Venue defender passed back to his keeper but in Robinson style the keeper somehow missed the ball and it rolled over the line. Villa sealed the game when a 35 yard screamer from Mark Hopkinson was tipped on to the bar only for David Tollerfield to follow up from close in.

Redmires scored their first win of the season after two draws with a 4-2 win over  previously unbeaten Stannington Village. Redmires suffered an early blow after five minutes when a late tackle left centre back Derren Pike with a bad knock to his ankle which signalled the end of the game for him. After about 15 minutes Village took the lead when Wayne Bird found himself in a load of space and put his side one up. Sean Downing, who had come on as substitute fired in an equaliser and James Kirkham majestically rose to head Redmires into the lead from a corner. After the break James Oxley was on hand to equalise for Village, but it was Redmires who sealed the points when defensive errors let in Danny Lindley and John Mellor. Andy Jones was outstanding for Redmires.

Last season’s cup winners Handsworth WMC were  fancied to beat Niagara, but it was Niagara that took their chances to gain their first points of the season.. A Craig Foster hat trick within half an hour and a Ben Dronfield strike punished Handsworth for defensive errors whose two goals sandwiched between these scores were both penalties  slotted home by David Cawrey. This win was enough to lift Niagara off the bottom.

Newly promoted Pitsmoor Royal Oak suffered their 2^nd defeat in two weeks when going down 7-3 to a rejuvenated Ecclesfield 147 side. Jayson Reeves led the way  for 147 with three goals, with Craig Senior notching two .147 led 3-1 at half time and further goals from Ben Hill and a 25 yard screamer from Ryan Keening sealed the fate of Pitsmoor who had contributed to a good match by scoring three themselves via Scott Szpajer, Simon Marcus and Luke Parwana. Gavin Hunter was man of the match for 147.

Millhouses Abacrombie are finding life a little tougher in the top division. They went two down against Stocksbridge Park Steels ,through two Mark Garrett strikes ,but clawed their way back to go in 3-2 up at half time courtesy of Sam Bartram and two from Danny Turner ,one a sweet strike from 18yards and the other a header from Ben Woodman’s cross. Steels didn’t give up the fight and they equalised with an Adam Todd shot from close in.

Division 1 - King rules for Sportsman, while top four win again

Chris King (pictured left) ruled as Sportsman Stannington earned their first win of the season at home against Southey Social, but Civil Service stay top with victory over Red Lion and FC Brimington, Laycock Sports and Handsworth Old Boys all keep perfect records. The Vine and Woodhouse Angel share the points.

Division One pacesetters Civil Service continued their good start to the season with a 4-1 win over 4th placed Red Lion Heeley. Service took the lead through Ben Brown but this was equalised by Red Lion with a Ryan Barker header. Matt Meaney restored the lead before half time. After the break Service began to dominate but it was not until late on that they turned that pressure into goals via Martin Kitridge and Lee Wild.

FC Brimington are hot on the Service heels with a similar win against Heeley Crown who put up a spirited fight against an in form team. Crown opened the scoring through Sean Higginbotham, but it was Brimington who went in at half time 2-1 up. They went further ahead after the break with Elliot Christie adding to two strikes from Thomas Brooke. Ryan Smith pulled one back during a good spell for Crown but a further goal form Michael Gartlan sealed the win for Brimington.

Laycock Sports kept their 100% record going with 2-0 victory away to a Loxley team rooted at the bottom of the division.. Sam Read was the catalyst who scored both goals for Laycock’s in a close fought game with Loxley fading badly in the 2^nd half to hand the advantage to  Laycock’s. Keeper Dan Bascombe was man of the match for Laycock’s, with John Denton winning that honour for Loxley.

Handsworth Old Boys took a 2-0 advantage into the 2^nd half by way of a family double ,the Griffiths brothers Dave and Gareth setting things up nicely after S.U.J.B. Old Boys had started brightly . Harrison Wyatt added a third five minutes into the 2^nd half and the game seemed to be over for the youngsters. They stuck to their task well and finished strongly but the game had passed them by much earlier.

Sportsman Stannington moved off the bottom with a fine 4-2 win over Southey Social with goals from Jason Collier, Chris Greenwood 2 and Chris King who had been moved up front in a tactical move that changed the game. It was 1-1 at half time and  Southey took the lead but Stannington battled back to equalise and gradually wore them down with King playing a major role.

The Vine and Woodhouse Angel emerged with a point a piece after Joe France had put Vine in front, which was equalised by debutant Gareth Simons who made an impressive start for George. France went close in the 2^nd half and Craig Woolley hit the bar with a header, but the match finished with honours even.

Division 2 - Hawksworth double gets Oughtibridge going, while Rivelin slow Bull down

A Paul Hawksworth double gave Oughtibridge Village their first points of the season, while Rivelin ended a second all-win record in as many weeks by holding Bulls Head to a draw. Ranch stay top with a narrow win at Aston. Colley stay second with a more emphatic victory over Anston Athletic. while the other games ended all square.

Ranch kept up their good start with another win, this time against the youngsters of Aston. An end to end game with Ranch taking the lead just before half time scored by Carl Pearce following a great cross from Ian Buckley. After the break Ranch went two up when Tom Hartley hit a great free kick from 25 yards straight into the top corner. Aston weren’t done for by any means and the Ranch keeper had to make several good saves. He was beaten however when Sam Thorpe scored for the 2^nd match following and Aston could have scored  right at the end, but Ranch held on.

Colley Club look certain to be contenders for the title at the end of the season with 7-3 victory over Anston Athletic. With goals from Mark Searle 2, Lee Campbell, Ian Seward, Paul Smith, Dean Constable and a penalty from Carl Lomas. Anston contributed to a good open game and their three goals were scored by Joe Bellamy and two penalties from Adam Russell.

Brinsworth Whitehill and Birley Moor News fought out an even match with Brinsworth holding a 1-0 lead at half time courtesy of a strong Basil Nyoni header from a cross by Gavin Jones. Birley came back in the 2^nd half and John Merritt equalised to level the scores.

Likewise a tight game between the youngsters of Crooks and District and Fairbanks Rhodes also resulted in honours even at the end. Joe Knight gave Fairbanks the lead, but Ainsley Crowley soon equalised for Crooks. Knight scored his second to restore the lead, but once again Crowley made it 2-2.Surprisingly there were no further scores in the 2^nd half. Outstanding for Crookes was keeper John Sherwood whilst Knight  was man of the match for Fairbanks.

Another draw from this division was Rivelin and Bulls Head. A quick goal from Darren Eaton in Rivelin’s first attack shocked Bulls Head and the score remained the same until after half time. A defence splitting pass by Mark Bryant (pictured left) put Bulls Head on terms as Nick Ash latched on to the ball to score. Bull Head went closest to scoring again through Ash but the Rivelin keeper was in good form.

Oughtibridge Village got their first win of the season courtesy of a 2-1 victory at The Park. In a hard fought match it was Village who took the lead via Paul Hawksworth but Ben Lee equalised before half time. The game could have gone either way but it was that man Hawksworth who was in the right place to win the game for Village five minutes from time.

21 Sept 2008 - CBC Premier - Atkins diet works for West End, while Venue get first win

Helped by an Ashleigh Atkins treble, Woodhouse West End are the early CBC Premier leaders after their 7-1 victory over Millhouses Abacrombie. Doubles for Shane Toulson and Nick Owen (pictured left) meant that Stannington Village and Hemsworth Villa both also kept their 100% records, while Venue beat local rivals Stocksbridge Park Steels to record their first win back in the top flight.

Newly promoted Millhouses Abacrombie got a real look at how tough life can be in the top flight at Woodhouse West End as the reigning champions beat them 7-1. Although he didn't get on the scoresheet, Spencer Taylor was the architect of the victory from an unusual midfield role. Man of the match Ashleigh Atkins grabbed his first treble of the season, while Jason Short's pace helped him marked his home debut with a double and Mark Barraclough netted one on his debut. David Haley grabbed West End's other while Abacrombie's only consolation came very late on from Adam Sturch.

Right behind West End is Stannington Village after they beat another promoted side Pitsmoor Royal Oak 5-2. It wasn't straightforward though as Oak twice went ahead in the third minute through Craig Ryan and after David Shepherd had hit his first for Stannington to level, Oak went ahead a second time when Gavin Davis fired home.

The second half was a different story. Shane Toulson scrambled home a second equaliser and after Sean Flynn had been felled in the area, Toulson gave Stannington the lead from the penalty spot. Sub Jack Mylnek then robbed a defender before increasing their lead and Josh Wright finished Oak off with a free kick that took a slight deflection past the keeper.

Hemsworth Villa are the third side to maintain a perfect record after their 4-1 victory over Ecclesfield 147, but it was far from easy. Keith Cronin sidestepped a defender to open the scoring and after David Tollerfield had flicked on, Nick Owen volleyed home Villa's second. Owen made it three before the break when Russ Webster set him up, but it was a different story after the break.

147 came out all guns blazing and Craig Senior pulled one back and after Gavin Hunter had been brought down he should have had a second, but wasted the spot kick. Keen hit a post and Hunter missed a good chance as the visitors completely dominated, but Villa have always been a good side on the break and after good work by Jim Linfoot, Ian Holmes netted their fourth.

The big local derby at Stocksbridge Park Steels saw local rivals Venue come out on top to secure their first victory back in the top flight. A defensive mistake allowed Daniel McLean to give Venue a half time lead and after the break McLean's header from Dan Lewis's cross made it two. Steels got back into it when Andy Hibbert volleyed home with ten minutes remaining, but Venue made it safe when Richard Hurst set Scott Birch up for their third. Action from the game is below.

Division 1 - Brimington and Laycock's keep perfect records, but Service stay top

Sheffield Civil Service capped a great week for them with a 6-1 victory at Junior Blades to maintain their lead at the top of the table. Junior Blades couldn't cope with the visitors firepower and the game was won by half time after two from Matt Meaney, one each for Adam Firth and Lee Wild and an own goal gave Service a 5-0 lead. The home side did better after the break, pulling one back from Richard Brealey, but it was Matt Meaney that had the final say as he completed his hat-trick.

FC Brimington are second after they completed another impressive victory at their new Hallam FC home, 4-0 over Stannington Sportsman. Elliott Christie banged in a couple, while Andrew Crossland and Dave Hall netted their others. Manager Cliff Thomas will have been equally pleased with a second clean sheet.

Laycock Sports also maintained a second clean sheet and their perfect start to the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Heeley Crown. The goal came just before the break when good work by Lloyd McPherson (pictured right) saw Cameron Swift make a terrific save in the Crown goal but Sam Read was on hand to net the rebound. Crown did all they could to get on level terms, but in Laycock's Grant Parkin, they came up against a keeper determined not to be beaten.

Another clean sheet helped Southey Social earn their first three points of the season with a 3-0 victory over Hollin Bush. Chris Roberts showed he is a striker to be feared with a double, while Southey's other came from Shaun Wilcockson.

Division 2 - Ranch held by Rivelin but stay top, while it's goals galore elsewhere

The early Division Two leaders are Ranch, but they dropped their first points of the season when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rivelin. It could have been worse for the home side as Rivelin led at half time after full back Scott Smith hit the bar and Dave Lawton knocked in the rebound. Although Ranch kept plugging away, they must have thought an equaliser would never come, but with just over a minute remaining Richard Honeyman skipped past the full back to cross for skipper Ian Buckley to score at the back post.

Both Colley and Bulls Head maintained perfect starts to the season by netting eleven goals each. Colley did it away from home at Birley Moor News, with four from Lee Campbell, three from Mark Searle, two from Neil Whitworth (pictured left) and one each for Tom Bertram and man of the match Paul Smith, while Birley's only consolation came from Amando Manfredi.

Bulls Head wouldn't have thought they would win so comfortably when visitors Crookes & District raced into a two goal lead with goals from Matt Hartley and Johnny Mellor inside four minutes and even though Nick Ash pulled one back, midway through the half, Hartley grabbed his second to restore Crookes' two goal advantage. Two quick fire goals from man of the match Joe Windle soon had Bull level though and after Adrian Stenton put Bull in front, Windle completed his hat-trick just before the break. It was one way traffic in the second half with Bull rattling in six more without reply as Stenton completed his hat-trick, Jordan Barton did the same and Ash grabbed his second.

Anston Athletic have also yet to drop a point after a very narrow 3-2 victory in their local derby with Aston. Joe Bellamy's opener for Anston was cancelled out by Scott McKenna, but another from Bellamy and one from Adam Russell put Anston back in charge. Aston came back at them with one from Sam Thorpe and it needed several good saves by the Anston keeper to stop them getting a point.

Anvil finally found the form expected of them as they also had a big 8-1 win at Oughtibridge Village. Mitchell with three, Cross and Bennett doubles and an Asher penalty did the damage, while Craig Hanson netted the home side's only consolation.

Senior Sunday Cup - Narrow defeats for both Redmires and Handsworth WMC

In the County FA Senior Sunday Cup, John Mellor scored twice, but missed a crucial penalty as Redmires lost 4-3 to Chapeltown Royal Oak. James O'Connell netted Redmires other direct from a corner, but Oak just held on to edge Redmires out. Missed chances cost Handsworth WMC dear as they went out to a single goal by local rivals Handsworth Old Crown.

Junior Sunday Cup - Loxley caught up in The Vine and Handsworth Old Boys also through, but The Park go out

The all-Blades Super Draw tie in the Junior Sunday Cup saw two Joe France goals give The Vine victory over Loxley and they are joined in the next round by Handsworth Old Boys who won at Golf Club Rangers, but The Park went out to the African Dream Team.

Both France's goals came in the second half and although Loxley had one disallowed and put on their best performance of the season, they couldn't stop The Vine going through. Alec Barnes, Dean Smith and Gareth Griffiths goals gave Handsworth Old Boys a narrow 3-2 win, Scott Micklethwaite and Lee Bridges strikes could stop The Park going out.

18 Sept 2008 - Steve Gee Merit Cup - Service have a Ball

The Steve Gee Merit Cup Final produced a real thriller between CBC Premier Blue Ball (pictured bottom right) and Division One Sheffield Civil Service at the Look Local Stadium Stocksbridge and it was last season's Division Two champions Civil Service (pictured top right) that came from two down to win a penalty shoot out 5-3.

Service were first to show and thought they had the lead when Danny Fowler headed home, but referee Ian Cox had spotted an infringement and it was disallowed. Ball then took the initiative and when a Ben Cook corner was played in, after a bout of pinball in the six yard box, Joe Shaw tapped home the opener. Ball were now on top and Adam Podmore (pictured left) twice nearly extended their lead. After a flowing move, his first shot was blocked and soon after it needed a brilliant Carl Whitby save to keep him out. Fowler then put a half chance wide for Service, but they went into the break behind.

The second half wasn't too old when Ball looked to have the game won. Podmore collected a ball on the edge of the area before cutting inside and drilling home a low shot. Service had other ideas though and when Adam Firth played a free kick to overlapping full back Simon Hall he made it to the line and crossed for Matt Meaney to flick on for Ben Brown to stab home. Service were now on top and they soon drew level when Adam Firth hit a quick free kick into the top corner.

Meaney then went through only to lose his footing at the crucial moment, but it looked like Ball would win it with almost the last action of the game when Podmore was clean through, but Whitby saved with his legs and although the rebound fell to Joe Barker, he hit the ball wide. That took the game to a penalty shoot-out and after seven successful penalties, Ian Stacey's spot kick was saved by Whitby and Adam Firth strode up to score the clinching penalty for Service.

14 Sept 2008 - CBC Premier - West End show starts in style

Danny Hooper (pictured left) was the star as League champions Woodhouse West End began the defence of their title with an impressive 4-0 victory at newly promoted Venue. Jamie King was Hemsworth Villa's hero as his penalty save was crucial in their 3-2 victory at Pitsmoor Royal Oak and Stannington Village began with a 3-1 victory over Millhouses Abacrombie. Blue Ball also gained their first win thanks to Adam Podmore's strike, while Ben Shaw's second half strike earned Redmires a point against Handsworth WMC and new signing Gavin Hunter did the same for Ecclesfield 147 against Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Woodhouse West End quickly showed they are determined to land a third successive League title as they proved to be too well organised and to powerful for newly promoted Venue. After man of the match Danny Hooper had opened the scoring, West End never looked in any real danger of dropping any points and won it comfortably with further goals from Ashleigh Atkins, Jason Short and David Haley.

The two other promoted sides Millhouses Abacrombie and Pitsmoor Royal Oak also slipped to defeats. Danny Turner had headed Abacrombie in front early on, but Stannington Village levelled with another header from Josh Coulson before half time. Sub Shane Toulson gave Stannington the lead after the break and Sean Flynn clinched it with Stannington's third.

Oak's day started badly when their keeper couldn't make the game and veteran John Bolland had to stand in and it was his mistake that gave Paul Jenkinson a simple tap-in to give Villa the lead. There was no blame attached to him for Villa's second though from new boy Russell Westby as Villa went into half time with a two goal lead, but Oak changed their formation after the break and gave themselves a chance when Scott Szpajer netted. They were then awarded a penalty, only for Leon Stocks' spot kick to be brilliantly saved by Villa keeper Jamie King, but when Oak were awarded a second penalty, Gavin Davis took responsibility and this time King was beaten. The game turned back in Villa's favour when the referee awarded a third penalty after Keith Cronin was clattered in the area and Nick Owen slammed home the winner.

Blue Ball earned their first win of the season against Niagara when Adam Podmore followed up to tap in after the Niagara keeper could only parry a shot, but it proved enough as Ball kept their second successive clean sheet. After both Mitchell Savage and Phil Cookson had both gone close, Stocksbridge Park Steels looked to on their way to a first win when Adam Todd fired home from the edge of the area, but Ecclesfield 147 produced a much better second half and when Jayson Reeves flicked on for Gavin Hunter, he marked his debut with the equaliser and had it not been for an outstanding save by Steels new keeper Luke Winstanley, 147 might have taken all three points.

Cup holders Handsworth WMC took the lead at Redmires when David Turner's cross was flicked on by Keiran Gallagher for David Cawrey to score, but it had been against the run of play in a first half that saw Redmires hit both posts. Redmires kept up the pressure at the start of the second half and deservedly levelled when John Mellor's shot was parried by the keeper and Ben Shaw followed up to score. Handsworth came into the game more after that though and Turner twice went close, while man of the match Liam Simmonite (pictured right) almost snatched it for them late on.

Division One - Brimington burn Bush

FC Brimington started their campaign with a 6-0 victory at fellow promotees Hollin Bush and Laycock Sports also started in style with a 3-0 win at Stannington Sportsman. Sub Paddy O'Brien was Heeley Crown's hero as his second half treble helped Heeley Crown to twice come from behind to beat Loxley and a Danny Leesley penalty gave Handsworth Old Boys all three points at home to Southey Social. Junior Blades earned their first point at the higher level with goals from brothers Joe and Tom Grapes and Civil Service had to settle for a point at The Vine took a point with a Joe France strike.

FC Brimington quickly showed why they are favourites to lift the Division One title with a purposeful display at Hollin Bush. The home side had no answer to Brimington's slick passing and movement and the visitors slammed them for six with goals from Andy Lee, Andrew Crossland, Florent Fadiga, Michael Gartlan and an Elliott Christie double.

Laycock Sports might not let them have it all their own way though as they started with a good 3-0 win at Stannington Sportsman. Skipper Steven Morris(pictured left) gave Laycock's the lead before Matt Kent powerfully headed home their second and Sam Read sealed the points with a great solo effort.

Heeley Crown also started with a win at home to Loxley and they twice had to come from behind to get it. Mick Smith put Loxley ahead early on, but only a couple of minutes later Darren Compson headed home the equaliser from a well worked corner routine. It stayed like that until the second half when the referee gave a hotly disputed penalty, but Smith stayed calm to slam home the spot kick and put Loxley back in front. It had been against the run of play though and it didn't take too long for sub Paddy O'Brien to head home another corner. O'Brien was causing Loxley's defence all sorts of problems and he nipped between a defender and keeper to put Crown ahead and sealed it when he collected a long clearance before rounding the keeper to score.

Another to win their first game was Handsworth Old Boys, who also came from behind to pip Southey Social 3-2. The old Boys took the lead when Gareth Griffiths was brought down in the area and Danny Leesley stepped up to score, but a Chris Roberts double put Southey ahead. Southey keeper Anthony Danks then pulled off six or seven great saves to keep Sothey in front, but he couldn't stop the equaliser when he found himself one-on-one with Reece Williams and despite his best efforts he was beaten again by a Dean Smith header for the Old Boys winner.

Civil Service looked on their way to a second successive home win against The Vine when Ben Brown took advantage of a mistake to put them in front after twenty minutes, but after the break it was The Vine that got on top and sub Joe France headed their equaliser from Jamie Windle's cross, and they almost won it when both Steve Wilkinson and France went close again.

Despite leading twice, Red Lion also failed to make it two wins in a row when they were held by Junior Blades. A quickly taken Ryan Barker free kick gave Lion the lead only for Joe Grapes to level before the break. Bradley Hawkins then showed his promise with a great strike from outside the box to put Lion back in front and with injury taking the Blades down to ten men it looked as if it would be enough to win it, but the Blades showed real spirit and got a deserved equaliser through Tom Grapes with time almost up.

Division Two - Magnificent 7 turn up at the Ranch and Colley 

Ranch continued their high scoring start as seven different scorers gave them a 7-1 win at Crookes & District, and, helped by a Lee Campbell treble, Colley also hit seven as they outclassed Brinsworth Whitehill. Joe Knight hit four as Fairbank-Rhodes won 5-1 at Anvil, while Nick Ash's (pictured right) double helped Bulls Head to victory at The Park and Ryan Hall's double helped Aston gain their first three points with victory over Birley Moor News.

Ranch followed up their midweek win over Birley with seven goal demolition of Crookes & Social with seven different scorers. Dave Ashmore cut inside two defenders before putting them ahead after just ten minutes and he set up the second for Jordan Smith to volley home. Steve Batty's cushioned header made scoring a simple task for Ian Buckley and even though Ainsley Cawley netted for Crookes just after the break, there was no stopping Ranch. Veteran defender Ian Cooper came up for a set piece and his diving header went in off the underside of the bar for number four, before Sam Chatterton, Darren Bland from thirty yards and Oliver Whittaker completed Ranch's magnificent seven.

Colley were just as impressive as they demolished Brinsworth Whitehill 7-0. New signing Lee Campbell hat-trick and Neil Whitworth's header had the game won by half time and the second half saw Carl Lomas and Mark Searle's double complete the scoring.

Four goal Joe Knight was Fairbank-Rhodes star as they kicked their season off in some style at Anvil. Richard Tidy gave Fairbank the lead before Knight set about Anvil, who's only bright spot was Andy Huckle's second half strike. Bulls Head also made a winning start away from home, taking all three points at The Park with a 4-1 victory. Joe Windle put Bull ahead before Nick Ash scored his first and Jordan Barton made it three before the break. Ben Lee's goal for The Park straight after the break threatened a comeback, but it didn't materialise and Ash's second made it a comfortable win for the visitors.

Birley Moor News went to Aston to try to follow up their midweek win and it looked good when Dwain Nevin put them in front early on, but the young Aston side kept their nerve and a close range effort by Ryan Hall levelled it up before he then headed Aston in front. Nevin brought the visitors back level in the second half, but Aston won it when Stephan Jeffries chipped the keeper.

11 Sept 2008 - Division Two - Berry keeps The Park Ranched in

After starring in goal last weekend, Richard Berry was moved up into attack and quickly showed he is equally adept up front by netting a hat-trick as Ranch continued their positive start to the season with a 6-3 victory over The Park. After playing the ball out to Dave Ashmore, Ian Buckley continued his run and met Ashmore's cross to give Ranch the lead on the half hour mark. Ashmore then got onto the end of a long ball from Carl Pearce to strike Ranch's second low past the keeper and just before the break Berry's left foot made it three.

Soon after after time, after another long ball from Pearce, Berry played a quick one-two with Ashmore to make it four and although Greg Ramsden headed one back for The Park, Berry completed his hat-trick when he struck the ball over the keeper from the edge of the area. Ashmore then took advantage of a flick-on to hit a right foot shot low past the keeper for Ranch's sixth, but The Park never gave up and they grabbed two late consolations from a Ben Lee penalty and Lee Bridges.

9 Sept 2008 - Division Two - Good News for Birley Moor 

Goals from Robert Portman, Pete Sheldon and Dwaine Nevin saw Birley Moor News came from a goal down to record the first victory in Division Two. Rivelin wasted five good opportunities in the first ten minutes, but their pressure eventually told and Thomas Bermingham tapped home to give them the lead. Birley got back into the game when Robert Portman equalised and just before half time Pete Sheldon put them in front. The heavy conditions was making any kind of good football virtually impossible and chances were at a premium, but Birley clinched their first win in the league when Dwain Nevin netted their third.

11 Sept 2008 - Division Two - Berry keeps The Park Ranched in 

After starring in goal last weekend, Richard Berry was moved up into attack and quickly showed he is equally adept up front by netting a hat-trick as Ranch continued their positive start to the season with a 6-3 victory over The Park. After playing the ball out to Dave Ashmore, Ian Buckley continued his run and met Ashmore's cross to give Ranch the lead on the half hour mark. Ashmore then got onto the end of a long ball from Carl Pearce to strike Ranch's second low past the keeper and just before the break Berry's left foot made it three.

Soon after after time, after another long ball from Pearce, Berry played a quick one-two with Ashmore to make it four and although Greg Ramsden headed one back for The Park, Berry completed his hat-trick when he struck the ball over the keeper from the edge of the area. Ashmore then took advantage of a flick-on to hit a right foot shot low past the keeper for Ranch's sixth, but The Park never gave up and they grabbed two late consolations from a Ben Lee penalty and Lee Bridges.

9 Sept 2008 - Division Two - Good News for Birley Moor 

Goals from Robert Portman, Pete Sheldon and Dwaine Nevin saw Birley Moor News came from a goal down to record the first victory in Division Two. Rivelin wasted five good opportunities in the first ten minutes, but their pressure eventually told and Thomas Bermingham tapped home to give them the lead. Birley got back into the game when Robert Portman equalised and just before half time Pete Sheldon put them in front. The heavy conditions was making any kind of good football virtually impossible and chances were at a premium, but Birley clinched their first win in the league when Dwain Nevin netted their third.

7 Sept 2008 - CBC Premier - Abacrombie get Turner prize as promoted clubs start in style 

Danny Turner netted four times and Joe Keating twice as last season's Division One champions Millhouses Abacrombie (pictured left) started life in the CBC Premier with a 6-3 win over Niagara and another promoted club, Pitsmoor Royal Oak also started with an emphatic win, 4-0 over Stocksbridge Park Steels. Blue Ball and Redmires played out a very entertaining goalless draw, but the weather put paid to the other three CBC Premier games.

On their CBC Premier debut, a Danny Turner free kick gave Millhouses Abacrombie the lead at home to Niagara, but it was the visitors that had the better of the first half and deservedly levelled through Whitham. The second half belonged to Abacrombie though and the result never looked in doubt after Turner lobbed the keeper for his second.

Joe Keating, celebrated his return from a broken leg over a year ago with a low shot past the keeper for their third and although Whitham netted his second to reduce Niagara's arrears, Keating was again on target when he turned in Rob Gardner's cross. Turner then headed home Ally Berry's long throw for number five and although Burns pulled another back for Niagara, Turner had the final word when he tapped in Sam Bartram's cross.

Just as impressive were a Pitsmoor Royal Oak also making their CBC Premier debut as they brushed aside Stocksbridge Park Steels 4-0. Gavin Davis gave them an early lead with an acrobatic scissor kick and Simon Marcus marked his league debut for Oak with a headed second before half time. Marcus then set up Tommy Fowler for Oak's third before Scott Szpajer completed the scoring with a free kick late on.

Division One - Service make a Mean start, while Spencer makes his mark for Bush 

Last season's Division Two champions Civil Service got off to a flying start as a Matt Meaney (pictured right) treble helped them to a 4-0 home win over fellow promotees Junior Blades. Another promoted side, Hollin Bush, also started well as Jamie Newton and Kerry Spencer goals gave them a 2-1 home win over Loxley, but another promoted club, Southey Social, slipped to defeat as a single Thomas Griffin goal proved enough to give Red Lion all three points. The other three games all fell to the weather.

Matt Meaney had scored plenty of goals for Southey Social last season and after switching to Civil Service in the summer, he looks as if he is going to the same for them this season. He headed them in front against Junior Blades after just two minutes and he chested the ball down before drilling home his second. He completed his hat-trick in the second half. Service's victory was completed by another debutant Andrew Bath after his switch from FC Brimington.

Meaney's old club Southey Social didn't do as well as they slipped to a narrow defeat at a Red Lion with five debutants in their side. The games only goal came midway through the first half when Chris Leek (see picture left) burst down the left and crossed for Thomas Griffin to score. Southey shouldn't be too downhearted though as they had their moments and the nearest Lion came to increasing their lead came in the final minute when Sam McLaren's effort was cleared off the line.

Hollin Bush were a second promoted side to land all three points when they beat strongly fancied Loxley 2-1. Jamie Martin gave Bush the lead, but Loxley pegged them back before the break when Craig Crownshaw lobbed the keeper. The second half saw Loxley have plenty of possession, but even though Steve Mayfield headed one good chance over, they failed to produce too many other chances and when a long ball wasn't dealt with they paid the price as Kerry Spencer hit Bush's winner.

League Cup - Birley left feeling Pawley by Crookes, while Ben has a love-Lee time in The Park 

Ainslie Pawley hit four and Ashley Green two as Crookes & District hammered fellow newcomers Birley Moor News 7-3 and it was the same scoreline as Ben Lee's treble helped The Park to victory over Anston Athletic. There were also wins for Ranch at Anvil, Colley at Aston and Brinsworth Whitehill at Rivelin, but Oughtibridge Village and Bulls Head will have to try again after their game was postponed.

A young Crookes & District side made a sensational start to life in the league when they blasted another newcomer Birley Moor News out of the cup with a 7-3 scoreline and they had to come from behind to do it. Tariq khan and Dwain Nevin goals gave Birley a 2-1 lead at one stage, but in Ainslie Pawley Crookes had a striker much too hot for the visitors. he plundered four goals while Ashley Green and Paul Jackson had their others. Shaun Greaves netted a third for Birley, but had it not been for their keeper John Marshall, the defeat might have been even heavier.

The Park also went through by the same scoreline and they twice had to come from behind. Ryan Taff's lob and Joe Bellamy's strike twice gave Anston Athletic the lead, but Ben Lee's treble together with doubles from Lee Bridges and Greg Ramsden proved too much for the visitors and their only other consolation came from Matt Townsend terrific twenty five yard free kick.

Anvil had a good cup pedigree in the Imperial League they have just left, but they were fenced in by fellow newcomers Ranch and went out at the first attempt. New signing Sam Johnson headed Ranch in front after twenty minutes and although Nathan Hanson levelled for Anvil, a second new signing for Ranch, Sam Chatterton, restored the visitors lead. Tom Hartley then beat the offside trap to extend Ranch's lead and although Gary Madden brought Anvil back into the game, Chatterton finished them off with his second of the game.

Another newcomer, Rivelin FC made a real go of it when first Darren Eaton cancelled out Bazil Nyoni's opener for Brinsworth Whitehill and after Rikki Kitchen had again given Brinsworth the lead, Scott Leigh took the game into extra time with a last gasp equaliser. Brinsworth kept their composure though and Jamie Radford header at the far post put them back in front and Danny Marsden's lob from forty yards made it safe.

Aston FC were another newcomer to tumble as Colley showed their experience to go through with a 2-0 victory. Neil Whitworth headed home Richie Whitworth's corner for the first after just fifteen minutes and sub Lee Campbell's pace took him through for Colley's clincher in the second half.