31 Jan - Division 2 -  The only game played sees Southey extend their lead, but only just

With another big freeze hitting the fixtures, the only game to survive was on Southey Social's all weather pitch where Chris Roberts and Rob Womack goals saw Southey extend their lead at the top of Division Two to twelve points, but they were made to fight hard for it by a Crookes & District that could count themselves unlucky not to get something from the game.

There was nothing to choose between the two sides in a goalless first half  and the second half started in much the same way until Rob Womack picked the ball up and ran at the Crookes defence before unleashing a shot that the Crookes keeper could only parry and Chris Roberts was first to the loose ball to put Southey ahead. Ten minutes later, Womack repeated his previous effort, but this time he gave the Crookes keeper no chance and the ball flew into the top corner to double Southey's lead.

In the past Crookes would have crumbled to a heavy defeat, but they showed they are learning fast and this time they hit back with Karl Fox's fourth goal in two games. After that, with John Alcock outstanding, it was Crookes that looked the more likely to score, but Southey's experience helped them to just hold on.

24 Jan - Senior Cup -  Service too good for Thrybergh, but Stannington hit by late winner

Civil Service are left to carry the flag in the Senior Sunday Cup after they came away from Thrybergh WMC with a 3-1 victory, while Stannington Village were beaten by an injury time goal from Arbourthorne EA. and in the Junior Cup, Brinsworth Whitehill couldn't join Anston Athletic in the last sixteen as they also fell to a narrow defeat by AFC Titans.

Civil Service had a tough looking tie against Rotherham League side Thrybergh WMC but managed to pull off a good win. Thrybergh scored after about five minutes but then had a man sent off after half an hour and from the penalty Adam Firth equalised. Two substitutions were made to look good when both of them scored in the second half Andy Bath hitting a good shot into the bottom corner. Matthew Meaney made the game safe for Service towards the end to send Service through to face Arbouthorne EA who put out Stannington Village by a narrow 2-1 scoreline. Village had taken a lead in the first half when a cross from Joe Barker was steered in by Sean Flynn. Arbourthorne fought back to equalise although Stannington were generally on top they suffered a cruel setback when EA scored two minutes into injury time. A plucky effort from Village.

In the Junior Cup Brinsworth’s efforts to join Anston in the next round came to nothing as they went down 2-1 to AFC Titans. Brinsworth led in the first half when Jamie Radford chested the ball down between two Titans and rifled the ball in and things looked good when keeper Lewis West saved a penalty. In the 2nd half Titans equalised when a back pass was intercepted after five minutes and the game swung to and fro until Titans just won the day with a great goal.

The League games proceeded in earnest and in the Premier leaders Ecclesfield 147 looked to have an easy task against bottom team Redmires but things on paper do not always run to form and Ecclesfield soon realised this was not going to a pushover. In a tight first half defences were on top and Redmires perhaps had the best chances, but 147 could have taken the lead but for a brilliant save by keeper Karl Taylor. After the break it was Redmires who broke the deadlock when a pinpoint Ben Shaw corner was headed home by Nick Hickson. 147 came back and were awarded a penalty when Andy Birks was adjudged to have brought down Gavin Hunter in the box and Jayson Reeves gave Taylor no chance from the spot. This gave 147 the spur they needed and it looked all over when Matt Clark drove them into the lead. However Redmires were not done with and went close on several occasions before Ben Shaw latched onto a great through ball from Dave Knaggs to beat the keeper on his near post.

Hemsworth Villa came back from the break with a comfortable win over Laycock Sports. Villa led 3-1 at half time thanks to a Dave Tollerfield strike from outside the box, with Nick Owen bagging a second. Laycocks made it 2-1 when a mix up in the Villa defence led to an own goal being scored. Tollerfield made it 3-1 and Nick Owen made a great run to cross the ball to Peter Burgin who lifted the ball over the keeper at the far post. . Owen then made a goal for himself as he cut in from the left and slid his shot past the keeper to give Villa a resounding if flattering scoreline.

Handsworth WMC kept up their good run with a comfortable win over Millhouses Thermolast who could have gone down by a bigger score but for some good goalkeeping by Mark Davies. Millhouses did take the lead in this match following a pass by Will Dunwell which allowed Thomas Higginbottom to slot past the keeper but then Liam Simmonite played in debutant Mark Ashton for WMC’s first goal and it was WMC who scored a second through Scott Abramski who headed home Keiran Gallagaher’s corner. After the break WMC really turned the pressure on and after several narrow misses they went further ahead when Simmonite headed in another corner from Gallagher. Another Gallagher corner resulted in a further goal for WMC when Danny Leesley volleyed in to complete the rout.

In the other game in the top division Yew Tree and The Vine fought out a hard battle on a sticky pitch and the result was probably a fair one with the spoils even at full time. Yew Tree opened the scoring when Mike Smith headed home a Scott Birch free kick and this was equalised when Will Blakeney headed home a cross from Danny Seaman. Just half time The Vine took the lead when a cross from Rikki Davidson was headed in by Seaman. Davidson had a chance to kill the game but the Yew Tree keeper made a great save to deny him and in the 85th minute Chris Leek headed home a Philip Cookson cross to make the game all square. Pictures from the game are below:

In the First Division Loxley caused an upset by beating high flying Woodhouse Angel after Angel had taken the lead in the first half through a trialist but Simon Mirfin slid home a penalty to equalise. In the second half with Steve Mayfield having a great game Loxley gradually got on top and it was no surprise when Josh Delaney pounced to give them a much needed win.

The leaders Pitsmoor Royal Oak were shocked when lowly Bull’s Head took the lead against them and led at half time thanks to a great volley from Steve Vale following a free kick by Matt Coates, but with both teams reduced to ten men following sendings off in the second half it was the leaders who showed that will to win and began to dictate play. A great cross saw Chris Clowe score from close in and from then on it was one traffic and a penalty 15 minutes from time saw Craig Graham score. Oaks third was a slightly lucky goal when a cross from Leon Stocks looped over the keeper and keeps Oak in pole position.

Anvil kept up their challenge with a win away at hitherto unbeaten at home Handsworth Old Boys thanks to a great solo goal from Matt Asher who ran through the Old Boys defence and coolly slotted home to put Anvil one up at half time. Old Boys were having some attacks of their own and hit the woodwork twice but in the second half Daniel Hirst finished off a four man move and a Nathan Hanson penalty wrapped up the points and credit must be given to the Anvil keeper Paul Brookes who pulled off several excellent saves.

In Division 2 Southey continued their domination of the league with a 4-1 defeat of Oughtibridge Village who fell behind to a John Mellor penalty at half time. Village battled back to equalise through Paul Hawksworth following as good passing move but bit by bit and with Danny Lindley pulling the strings Southey got on top and added further goals by Mellor Chris Roberts and Marcus Pass. Village can be proud of their keeper Matt Lutterel who had an outstanding game.

Probably the closest game in the division was between Aston Mayerton and Rivelin who had a few players missing. Rivelin opened the scoring with a tremendous strike from Scott Smith straight into the top corner and this was equalised when Scott Mckenna chased a lost cause, got the ball and crossed for David Sills to tap in. Following a good passing move Scott Hall slipped the ball through for McKenna to crack the ball home. David Scott scored with an 18 yard shot to level but Aston won the day when Josh Bell hit the winner from the penalty spot.

Lowly Crookes and District were grateful to new signing Karl Fox for a first half hat trick against SU Junior Blades , the pick of his goals being the second when a fine ball from Liam Jacobi gave Fox an easy task to score. Blades were not out of it though and following some near misses they managed to pull one back through Adam Cawood.
Colley continued their good season with another win this time away at Old Harrow with goals from new signing Nicholas Glover and a wonderful free kick from man of the match Adam Jackson. Kev Allen was outstanding for Old Harrow.

After a goalless first half The Park overcame a resilient Fairbanks Rhodes thanks to goals from Shannon Marsland and Greg Ramsden. The win saw The Park climb out of the bottom three, while the defeat was a real blow to Fairbank's promotion hopes and they fell out of the top three.

In the only other match, Division One Anston Athletic, with goals from Anthony Bayou (2) Ben Sargeant, James Lawton and Tom Gabbitass, were too strong for Division Two Birley Moor News. After Anston had opened up a two goal lead, a Ho Shing strike in the first half briefly gave Birley a glimmer of hope, but three further goals in the second half saw Anston run out easy winners with and through to a second round tie against another Division Two side, Red Lion.

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