30 March - Respect - a new first for the League

After a presentation by the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA's Football Development manager Brian Peck at last night's League meeting, the Blades Super Draw Sunday Sports League has become the first Men's Adult Sunday League in the County to become a Respect affiliated league. The move further cements the League as one of the most progressive in the area and further shows its commitment to continually raise its already high expectations of behaviour by clubs and players.

30 March - Further Fixture changes affecting Division 1 and a referee change to Division 2

A number of games in Division 1 have been changed and the changes are now reflected on the website. The changes are:

4 Apr Ranch v Anston Athletic (was Anston Athletic v Ranch);

6 Apr Heeley Crown v Anvil;

18 April Pitsmoor Royal Oak v Heeley Crown postponed (re-arranged to 22 Apr); Brinsworth Whitehill v Anvil now postponed to a date to be arranged - PLEASE NOTE referee D Evans now appointed to Aston Mayerton v Old Harrow in Division 2;

20 April Heeley Crown v Anvil;

22 April Pitsmoor Royal Oak v Heeley Crown;

25 April Anston Athletic v Ranch (was Ranch v Anston Athletic)

28 March - Error in Referee allocations

Three referees, D March, D Burton & A Hull were incorrectly allocated to three midweek games in Division 1 on 8 April - they were actually part of the allocation for 11 April. They have now been taken away from those midweek games and allocated to Division 1 & Division 2 games on 11 April - sorry for any confusion.

28 March - Macron Cup -  West End make Short work of the holders, while Yew Tree find the Leeks in Ranch defence

Woodhouse West End reached Bramall Lane for a fourth time after an early goal by Jason Short (pictured left being tackled - picture by Mark Rodgers) goal gave them victory over the holders Stannington Village, while Ryan Cockayne and Chris Leek (Pictured right) goals helped Yew Tree see off Division One Ranch to reach their first final.

After losing to Stannington in last season’s final West End looked determined to not make the same mistake and took an early lead when a long clearance by keeper John Badkin found Jason Short and he took one touch past keeper John Grayson before rifling the ball home.

Stannington tried to respond and Ali Mitchell had one disallowed for offside and Dave Kippax cleared one off the line (pictured centre and right - pictures by Mick Moat), but they were finding it difficult to make any headway against the West End defence. Spencer Taylor and Mark Calvin in West End’s midfield were also showing that age doesn’t stop them having a big influence on the game. The second half saw Stannington hit the bar with one terrific effort, but it was West End that made the most of the running and Short missed two great chances to make their victory even more emphatic.

CBC Premier Yew Tree got off to a great start against Division One Ranch when the Ranch full back made it too easy for Mark Woodcock to get past him and his cross was met by Ryan Cockayne to volley in off a post (pictured left - picture by Mark Rodgers). It got worse for Ranch midway through the first half when a long ball from defence was misjudged by player manager Carl Pearce and Chris Leek seized on it to drive past keeper Richard Berry.

Ranch had not really been in the game so they knew they had to pull one back early in the second half to put pressure on Tree and they did just that when a Ben Hartley corner was met by Ian Buckley at the back post to volley home. They then had a penalty shout turned down when Tom Hartley collided with keeper James Marks and Buckley had a header saved and the second attempt cleared off the line. With just a couple of minutes remaining they pushed just about everyone forward and were inevitably caught by a quick break that saw Leek net his second with a smart finish into the top corner. More pictures from the game are shown above and below.

CBC Premier -  Senior double keeps 147 on top, while Service make it six on the trot

Two Craig Senior goals helped CBC Premier leaders Ecclesfield 147 to victory over Handsworth WMC and go five points clear, while up to third are Civil Service after two late goals saw them come from behind to beat Redmires and make it six wins in a row. Laycock Sports also came from behind to claim a precious point at Stocksbridge Park Steels, while The Vine are still stuck in the bottom three after they were held by a Millhouses Thermolast edging towards safety.

Ecclesfield 147 soon had the Handsworth WMC defence under pressure and with Danny Touhey calling the shots, Craig Senior had an early shot well saved by Handsworth’s stand-in keeper Carl Eaton. An Ian Hoyland header then forced an even better save, but when Jayson Reeves’ volley forced another save from the keeper the ball flew into the air and Senior pounced to head home the loose ball.

Senior then quickly doubled his tally when he intercepted an under hit back pass before chipping the keeper and the game was as good as over when Gavin Hunter produced a great solo run and finish. Handsworth had more of the game after the break and pulled one back when Mark Ashton took Sean Simmonite’s pass in his stride to score. George Barnes also went close twice, but despite the best efforts of Mark Barnsley on his return after injury, they couldn’t break through again.

After winning their last five it came as a bit of a shock to Civil Service when bottom club Redmires grabbed a two goal lead through Joe Gray’s shot from the edge of the area and Andy Birks’ header from Dave Knaggs’ corner, but Service grabbed a lifeline just before half time when Matt Meaney scored for the fourth game in a row. Despite lots of pressure in the second half, the Redmires defence stood firm until five minutes from time when centre back Chris Fowler grabbed an equaliser and in the final minute Gareth Griffiths scored to make it six wins on the trot.

Both Stocksbridge Park Steels and visitors Laycock Sports knew that victory would be a big boost to their survival hopes and it looked to be going Steels way when Mark Barraclough and John Ward put them two up, but for the second week in a row, a John Kilcoyne penalty and a late goal from Steve Morris gave Laycocks a share of the spoils to leave both clubs looking nervously over their shoulders.

Division 1 -  Top two nick it, but no wins for bottom five

Pitsmoor Royal Oak stayed top of Division One after a single Craig Graham strike beat second bottom Niagara. Scott Spzajer had gone close before that and although Niagara had two late chances, Graham’s goal proved enough.

Woodhouse Angel kept pace with them thanks to a last gasp Tom Goodall header at Anston Athletic. Adam Russell gave the home side the lead with an overhead kick after Angel’s keeper had spilled a corner, but after half time, Russell changed from hero to villain when he gave away a penalty and was sent off. Kirk Briddon saw his penalty saved by keeper Jon Parker, but he was beaten by a shot Chris Towey hooked over his shoulder. When Parker made two more great saves it looked as if Anston would hold on to a point until Goodall headed home a Wes Pierce corner in the final minute.

A single John Denton header gave fourth place Loxley victory at bottom club Brinsworth Whitehill, but despite Lee Budd’s first goal of the season, Heeley Crown lost ground after Reece Williams strikes in each half gave Handsworth Old Boys victory over them. After falling behind to a Matt Asher’s thirteenth goal of the season early in the second half, third bottom Bulls Head looked to be heading for a much needed win at an Anvil just one place above them when Mark Bryant scored twice in three minutes, but Bull had to settle for a point at after James Wetherall scrambled home a corner.

Division 2 -  Southey go past fifty, while Aston and Colley both win big

Division Two leaders Southey Social took their home goal tally to fifty five as Danny Lindley and Chris Roberts (pictured right) both hit trebles in an 8-1 demolition of Rivelin. Rob Womack started the rout off and it was finished by Todd Guest, while Rivelin’s consolation came from Thomas Bermingham.

Colley are the League’s second highest scorers and they added another five to their tally in their victory at Crookes & District. A Nick Glover double put Colley two up at the break and after the break, Lee Grocock added a third. A Lee Campbell cross was turned in by Paul Smith for Colley’s fourth and sub Ian Sharland scored their fifth, while Crookes replied through Sam Firth and a Karl Fox penalty.

Third place Fairbank-Rhodes fell behind at Oughtibridge Village when Ian Phillips scored in the second half, but Callum Lynch’s goal from close range rescued the point that keeps Fairbank in the third automatic promotion place. Aston Mayerton moved level on points with Fairbank though after hitting Highfield Old Crown for six. Scott McKenna was Aston’s hat-trick hero and Josh Bell, David Sills and Scott Hall netted their others, while Craig Smith hit Highfield’s only consolation.

The Park showed they could still get into the promotion places after a last minute Ben Lee strike gave them a 2-1 victory over Junior Blades. Lee Bridges volleyed The Park into a half time lead, but James Allen’s crisp downward header from a Tom Grapes corner looked to have given the Blades a share of the spoils until Lee’s right foot shot in the final minute was deflected past the stranded Blades keeper.

27 March - Referees for Midweek games

Referees Dennis Williams and Mick Warner have contacted the League to say they are available for midweek dates in April, so clubs, particularly the ones who play near to where Dennis or Mick live, should contact them straight away. Will any clubs successful in getting Dennis or Mick, or any other referees to do their midweek games, please email Keith with the details so he can update the website.

27 March - The Spartans at Bramall Lane

Mick Rooker, Sheffield United's Blades Super Draw promotions manager invited the Spartans to the Blades' recent game at home against QPR. Mick is pictured right with the Spartans. Click on the Spartans banner to see more details and more photos

21 March - CBC Premier -  Villa caught in Spider's web as Redmires stun Stannington and Laycock's hold 147

Woodhouse West End now have the CBC Premier title back in their own hands after two David ‘Spider’ Haley (pictured right heading the ball) goals gave them victory over Hemsworth Villa, while their main rivals Stannington Village slid to a shock defeat at bottom club Redmires and current leaders Ecclesfield 147 were held by Laycock Sports.

Hemsworth Villa made the early running at Woodhouse West End and, in addition to Matt Bray hitting the woodwork, it needed a good save by John Badkin to stop Ian Holmes from giving Villa the lead. West End struck first though when a long ball picked out David Haley to score with a smart finish.

It quickly got even better for West End when, following a scramble in the goalmouth, Haley’s toe poke couldn’t be kept out, but Villa soon responded and Nick Owen crossed for Peter Burgin to reduce the arrears. With Paul Jenkinson providing a solid base at the back, the second half saw Villa press hard for an equaliser, but West End’s defence was proving equally impregnable and they held on for the points. More action from the game is below.

The main challenge to West End’s title was expected to come from Stannington Village, but their shock defeat at Redmires means that even if they win their games in hand, they now need West End to drop points. Although Shane Toulson hit a post for Stannington, defences were on top in the first half, but after the break, Redmires, with some new additions to their squad, showed that their relegation might not be the formality it looked. Sean Downing (pictured left) put them ahead when he headed Chris Cotterill’s corner home and after Adam Brown’s effort had come back off the bar, Andy Birks headed Redmires second and clinch their first home win of the season.

Current leaders Ecclesfield 147also surprisingly dropped points to a Laycock Sports they had beaten resoundingly the week before. Jayson Reeves shot took a wicked deflection to give 147 the lead, but they then pressed the self destruct button as Ian Holland inexplicably headed past his own keeper to bring Laycock’s level. With Glen Bell again starring for 147 they went back in front after the break when Kevin Wraith headed home, but with Scott Wesney pulling the strings for Laycock’s they deservedly took a share of the points with a Steve Morris header.

Civil Service made it five wins on the trot at The Vine with Wes Bamford’s seventh goal in four games. Service took the lead when Bamford put Matt Meaney in to score, but Rikki Davidson’s eleventh of the season had The Vine level at the interval. Service weren’t to be denied though and Bamford won it with a second half strike.

Millhouses Thermolast helped their battle to beat the drop with three points at home against Stocksbridge Park Steels. Tom Higginbottom’s corner was side footed home by Adam Sturch (pictured right) to give Thermolast the lead and although John Ward crossed for Adam Todd to level, Thermolast were back in front when Sturch put Higginbottom through to beat the offside trap and score. Tom Gardiner volleyed a third from the edge of the box before the break and although Mitchell Savage reduced the arrears for Steels, Thermolast made it safe when Danny Stuarts thirty yard shot flew in off a post.

Division 1 -  Oak hit 8 to go back on top

Pitsmoor Royal Oak reclaimed the Division One top spot by hitting eight at Handsworth Old Boys, while Ranch warmed up for next weekend's Macron Cup semi final with a home victory against Brinsworth Whitehill. Loxley stalled Niagara's revival by beating them in a ten goal thriller.

Pitsmoor Royal Oak were stunned when Carl Atkin’s twenty five yard free kick gave Handsworth Old Boys the lead, but Oak hit back quickly to level through Gavin Davis. Scott Spzajer then carved out a second for Nick Fowlston and Spzajer added a third from the rebound after Leon Stock’s effort had been saved. Craig Graham’s diving header added a fourth before the interval and Oak ran riot after the break with both Davis and Spzajer hitting their second before Stocks grabbed two for himself.

Ranch made it four clean sheets out of five at home with a 2-0 victory over Brinsworth Whitehill. After a corner had been knocked down, Ranch’s veteran Ian Cooper (pictured left) volleyed his side in front and they sealed it with a goal straight out of the comedy bandbox with Chris Hall’s mis-hit shot falling to Tom Hartley who produced another mis-kick so bad that it completely wrong footed the keeper. Richard Berry needed to make two late saves to keep a spirited Brinsworth at bay and earn his side that fourth clean sheet.

John Denton knocked home Neil Coyle’s corner to give Loxley the lead at home to Niagara, but the visitors levelled when Geoff Mayfield conceded a penalty, put away by Simon Staniforth. Coyle soon put Loxley back in front with a terrific free kick and Danny Bray added a third before the interval.

Simon Staniforth’s mis-hit shot fell to his brother Tom to reduce the arrears after the break, but another stunning free kick, this time from Anthony Marshall, and a Mick Smith strike had Loxley back in command. James Shepherd then hit a real beauty from twenty five yards before a second penalty from Simon Staniforth left Loxley clinging on until man of the match Josh Delaney raced away to score Loxley’s sixth.

Division 2 -  Leaders held by Aston, but Colley, Fairbank-Rhodes and Junior Blades all win

Division Two leaders Southey Social's run of ten consecutive wins came to an end when a late own goal gave Aston Mayerton a share of the points and Crookes & District were also held at The Park, but Colley, Fairbank-Rhodes, Junior Blades and Red Lion all won.

Aston Mayerton took an early lead when skipper Scott McKenna produced a great leap to plant a header past the keeper, but Southey levelled when Chris Roberts knocked home the rebound after John Mellor’s shot had been saved. Early in the second half a handball in the area allowed Mellor to net his twenty fourth of the season from the penalty spot and with Marcus Pass pulling the strings in midfield it looked as if Southey run of wins would continue.

Aston fought back though and McKenna was denied four times by brilliant saves or blocks, but Aston eventually grabbed a deserved equaliser when a long throw caused confusion in the goalmouth and the keeper could only push the ball into his own goal. More action from the game is below.

Second place Colley turned in an impressive performance to see off a Rivelin side that would have had a great chance of overtaking them if they had won. As it was, once man of the match Adam Jackson had met Nick Glover’s neat flick to put Colley in front, there only looked as if there was one winner. Paul Smith glanced home Lee Grocock’s free kick for Colley’s second before Sheridan put the icing on the cake with a late third.

Colley can be caught by a Fairbank-Rhodes that improved their goal difference no end by trouncing a depleted Birley Moor News. Joe Knight did most of the damage with a double hat-trick, while Andy Baxter with two, Scott Whittington, Michael Holmes and an own goal provided the others.

Junior Blades kept themselves in contention by coming from two down to see off Oughtibridge Village 4-2. The Blades couldn’t deal with two long throws in as many minutes and Ian Phillips headed Village in front before Paul Horton lobbed in the second, but Adam Caywood’s sweet left foot drive pulled one back before the break. The second half wasn’t too old before Caywood grabbed his second to level and once Law put Tim Knappet in to put the Blades ahead there was no stopping them and Matt Cwojdzinski netted their fourth.

Not far behind Fairbank in the scoring charts was Red Lion who returned to form by thumping Highfield Old Crown 9-0. After Joe Griffiths had opened the scoring, Kevin Bly grabbed three, while Lewis Barker, Ryan Barker, Paul Turner, David Harman and debutant Simon Major netted the others.

Both The Park and visitors Crookes & District still harbour promotion hopes but they ended up with the draw that did nether of them much good. After a goalless first half, Ben Lee put The Park ahead, but Crookes levelled with a Sam Firth lob and nearly snatched a winner near the end.

14 March - Macron Cup -  Holders through, but Rivelin give them a real scare

Helped by two Lee Johnstone strikes, Macron Cup holders Stannington Village made it through to the semi finals, but, watched by a bumper crowd, Division Two Rivelin twice took the lead and it needed  two late goals to finally see them off. With a number of Rivelin players having previously played for Stannington it was always going to be a tight affair, but it was still a shock when Paul Ashall gave Rivelin a half time lead, but just after the break Danny Smith crossed for Lee Johnstone to head Stannington level. Undaunted by that former Stannington star Wayne Bird restored Rivelin's lead with a terrific header at the back post.

The holders fought back a second time and when Ali Mitchell was felled in the area referee John Burrows pointed to the spot and although Mitchell's spot kick was saved, the ball fell to Johnstone to calmly net a second equaliser. Eddie Payne had been the match winner in last season's final and he was again on hand to strike Stannington ahead and with almost the last kick of the game, Jack Mylnek added a fourth that was a little cruel on Rivelin.

CBC Premier -  Ecclesfield back on track, West End win, but Handsworth and Villa both beaten

Leaders Ecclesfield 147 finally got their title challenge back on track with victory at Laycock Sports and Woodhouse West End also won at home against Yew Tree, but both Handsworth WMC and Hemsworth Villa were beaten. Bottom club Redmires are left deep in trouble after a single Danny Turner strike gave Millhouses Thermolast victory over them.

After a run of four games without a win, Ecclesfield must have feared the worst when Gavin Hunter lost the ball in his own area and Sam Read fired Laycock Sports ahead, but as soon as Glen Bell ended a four man move with the equaliser, and with the return of Ben Hill giving them solidarity at the back, you could see the confidence flowing back into Ecclesfield's veins. Craig Senior put them ahead and Hunter made up for his earlier error with Ecclesfield's third. Hunter added another soon after the break and although John Kilcoyne netted a second for Laycock's from the penalty spot, there was no stopping Ecclesfield and Senior netted his second before Kevin Wraith hit his first of the season.

Dave Kippax took advantage of a corner not cleared to put Woodhouse West End ahead at home to Yew Tree, but the visitors levelled midway through the first half when Mike Smith shot low into the corner. The second half saw west End have the advantage of a strong wind at their backs and they took the lead again when Kippax's lofted free kick from the half way line was carried over everyone and into the net. West End continued to press and finally clinched it when Anthony Dolan found the bottom corner.

Handsworth WMC's seven match unbeaten run came to an end after a nine goal thriller with Civil Service. After Mark Ashton had missed two early chances for Handsworth, it was Service that took the lead through Wes Bamford. Ashton then made up for his earlier misses by heading Robert Pratt's cross home, but it was Service that went into the break in front after a Matt Meaney strike. After the break Pratt crossed again for Ashton to head home a second equaliser and Service must have feared the worst as they were playing into the strong wind, but they went back in front when Lee Wild skipped past four defenders to score. Bamford then showed why he's in such a hot streak of form with two half volleys to complete his hat-trick, but Handsworth hit back with a typical turn and strike by Liam Simmonite. Carl Bowler then netted his first of the season to leave Service hanging on, but helped by a terrific Carl Whitby save from Sean Simmonite, they managed to do it for a fourth consecutive win.

Hemsworth Villa started brightly against Stocksbridge Park Steels and Nick Owen hit the bar before David Tollerfield had one cleared off the line, but when a needless foul in the area by Jimmy Hughes allowed Adam Todd to put Steels in front, Villa never really looked as if they would get back into it and it was Steels that sealed the game with a Barraclough goal. Action from the game is shown below:

The big six-pointer at the foot of the table saw Millhouses Thermolast just come out on top against bottom of the table Redmires. Although both sides had chances, the closest saw Rob Gardiner's effort for Millhouses hit both posts before staying out. Luke Siggs then cleared off the line after a fumble by the Redmires keeper, but even he and fellow defender James Kirkham could do nothing to stop Danny Turner heading the winner. It proved enough to lift Millhouses out of the bottom three, but left Redmires six points adrift of safety and with a mountain to climb.

Division 1 -  Angel fly to the top as Pitsmoor are held by Loxley

Adam Dickinson made it four goals in two games to help Woodhouse Angel fly to the top of Division One with a win over Ranch, while previous leaders Pitsmoor Royal Oak were held to a goalless draw by Loxley. Heeley Crown were also held by Brinsworth Whitehill, but both Anston Athletic and Niagara boosted their survival chances with big wins.

After hitting the woodwork three times early on, Woodhouse Angel finally took the lead when Kirk Briddon supplied the pass for Gareth Simons to score. Good work by Karl Colley then set Adam Dickinson up to score Angel's second and after the break a Wes Pierce cross was finished off by a towering header from Colley. Dickinson then ran from the half way line to score his second, before Tom Hartley grabbed a consolation for Ranch.

Pitsmoor Royal Oak had already gone three games without a win and even though Loxley had to play with last week's goalscorer Sam Barrett in goal, Oak never really looked like ending that run. Oak's best chances came early in the game, but in reality neither side created anything that looked like ending in a goal. Heeley Crown started well against bottom club Brinsworth Whitehill and took the lead through Ryan Smith, but Crown's defence again showed its frailty and two Jamie Radford strikes put Brinsworth ahead. Daniel Skinner levelled for Crown, but they stared defeat in the face when Radford completed his hat-trick until Skinner's tenth of the season gave Crown a point.

After looking certainties for relegation just a few weeks ago, Niagara are showing they really do have a chance of avoiding the drop after their first away win of the season, 5-1 at Anvil. Chris Smith put Niagara in front only for Matt Asher to wipe it out from the penalty spot, but once Smith had restored Niagara's lead they lever looked like losing it a second time. Simon Staniforth made it three before Craig Foster headed a fourth and Staniforth completed the scoring with his fifth of the season.

Anston Athletic leapt over Bulls Head and out of the bottom three by giving them a nine goal thrashing. Bulls Head were struggling for a starting line up and the youngsters of Anston were in no mood to feel sorry for them and four goals from Simon Herberts along with three from James Lawton and singles by Will Hutchison and Tom Gabbitas made it a rather one sided game.

Division 2 -  Mellor hits five as Southey blast Birley, but the clubs behind them drop points

Division Two leaders Southey Social proved to be the day's highest scorers as John Mellor helped himself to five goals in a thirteen goal thrashing of bottom club Birley Moor News. Chris Roberts and Simon Jebson hit hat-tricks along with singles from Danny Lindley and Todd Guest, but Birley never gave up trying and gained one consolation from Brett Turton.

It extended Southey's lead to thirteen points as the four clubs behind Southey all drew. Fourth place Fairbank-Rhodes looked as if they would complete the double over second place Colley when Joe Knights angled drive put them ahead and Andy Baxter hit a second from the penalty spot after John Tomlinson's cross had been handled in the area. Colley got back into the game when Lee Campbell's shot squirmed under the keeper and he levelled with a wind assisted second. Neil Whitworth then hit the bar for Colley as they pressed for a winner, but with Paul Horton outstanding for the home side Fairbank's just held on to a point.

Third place Crookes & District almost took a very early lead at home against fifth placed Aston Mayerton when Chris Cottyn's volley hit the bar, but it was Aston that claimed the lead when David Sills headed home the rebound after the Crookes keeper had saved his first effort. Cottyn did manage to score after Matt Reay flick on, but Aston went back in front with a brave header from Scott Hall and soon after the break Sills extended their lead with a shot that looped over the keeper. Crookes hit back when Karl Fox maintained his record of goals in every game and they grabbed a point thanks to a Matt Reay strike. Referee Mr Jones earned praise from the teams for letting the game flow.

Junior Blades went joint fourth with victory over Highfield Old Crown. The Blades had numerous chances before Joe Grapes shot was deflected past the keeper to give them the lead and Mark Cwojdzinski double their lead with a free kick before the break. Highfield never really threatened after the break and it was left to tie things up with his second.  Oughtibridge Village ended their run of seven games without a win when a Paul Hawksworth strike late in the game gave them victory against Red Lion. Lion had their chances in the first half, but with Dave Buckley and Danny Hill outstanding, Oughtibridge deservedly took the points.

Although they took an early lead through Ben Lee, The Park's promotion bid took a knock when they were held to a 3-3 draw by third from bottom Old Harrow. With their keeper outstanding, a Jon Abdulla strike and two from Dan Livett appeared to put Old Harrow on their way to three points, but The Park claimed a share of the spoils with a Lee Walker header and a Ryan Marshall equaliser.

7 March - Macron Cup -  West End Love Lee

Helped by two Joel Lee penalties, Woodhouse West End marched into the Macron Cup semi finals with a 4-1 victory at Division One leaders Pitsmoor Royal Oak. It took almost half an hour for West End to make the breakthrough and even then it needed a penalty award which Joel Lee confidently placed past the Oak keeper. Mark Calvin quickly headed a second and another penalty, again put away by Lee gave West End a three goal half time lead. Oak responded with a better second half, but they were undone a fourth time when keeper John Badkin's long clearance found Jason Short and he did the rest. Oak finally got their reward for their efforts when Scott Spzajer pulled one back, but West End's lead never looked like being threatened.

CBC Premier -  Leaders beaten again, while Davidson hits four to lift The Vine

Leaders Ecclesfield 147 crashed to a second successive defeat at Hemsworth Villa and have now taken just two points from their last four games. It looked as if Ecclesfield were going to be back on course when Jayson Reeves gave them the lead from the penalty spot after Paul Bashforth had been brought down in the area, but Villa soon hit back to level when David Tollerfield headed home Nick Owen's corner. Russ Westby then crossed to the back post for Mark Hopkinson to head Villa in front and they extended their lead when Westby's corner was volleyed home by Owen. The Ecclesfield defence came under further pressure as Tollerfield and Pete Burgin then combined to supply the cross for Owen to glance a header home and even a second by Reeves never looked like saving the leaders as Villa cruised to a fourth successive victory. Picture right shows the Ecclesfield defence coming under pressure. More action from the game is shown below:

Handsworth WMC missed the chance for a seventh straight victory and second place when they let a two goal lead slip at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels. The visitors started strongly and were unlucky to hit the woodwork twice early on, but Handsworth gradually began to take control and after Robert Pratt had gone close with a free kick, Liam Simmonite chased a lost cause to take the ball off a defender before feeding Kieran Gallagher to race through and give Handsworth the lead. Simmonite then turned in the area to score for a tenth successive game to give Handsworth a two goal half time lead, but Steels hit back in the second half and after John Ward had reduced the arrears, Mitchell Savage scored to earn them a deserved point. referee AD Morris also earned praise not only for his handling of the game, but also for making the game possible by giving the pitch time to thaw.

Wes Bamford has been trying to convince his manager Richard Smith that he could cause problems playing in a more central attacking role and after being given his chance he proved himself right with two goals to help Civil Service to a third successive victory at home to a Laycock Sports now embroiled in the relegation struggle. Matt Meaney gave Service a second minute lead and just three minutes later Bamford struck his first. With Lee Wild running Laycock's ragged down the right, Bamford added his second midway through the first half before Danny Campbell added a fourth in the second half. The nearest Laycock's came to a reply was when Adam Clarke hit the crossbar.

 Rikki Davidson (pictured left) hit all The Vine's four goals as they pipped bottom club Redmires in a seven goal thriller. Danny Seaman carved the Redmires defence open for Davidson to hit his first and Jamie Moore supplied the pass for his second. Davidson completed his hat-trick with just twenty minutes gone when he made the most of a chance provided by Will Blakeney, but instead of it being plain sailing after that Redmires hit back after half time when Nick Hickson scored with a spectacular overhead kick. The Vine's nerves really started to jangle when Andy Birks pulled a second one back and it was a good job that Davidson then headed home his fourth from Brent Healey's cross as an own goal presented Redmires with a third. Redmires might even have saved a point had Ben Shaw's effort not hit a post, but The Vine held on for three precious points.

Second from bottom Yew Tree twice came from behind to claim a point at home to fellow relegation strugglers Millhouses Thermolast. Thomas Higginbottom beat the offside trap to collect Rob Gardiner's pass and fire Millhouses into a lead in just forty five seconds, but Tree responded on seventeen minutes when Steve Marshall headed home Scott Birch's corner (see picture right). Millhouses went back in front before the break when Danny Stuart hit a real screamer from thirty five yards, but Tree levelled in the second half when Michael Smith scored from another Birch set up. Birch then hit the woodwork twice and Chris Brook forced Mark Davies into one of a number of fine saves, but Millhouses also went close on a couple of occasions and a draw seemed the right result in the end. Further pictures from the game are shown below:

Division 1 -  Angel and Ranch close up on leaders, but Crown slip in nine goal thriller

Adam Dickinson struck twice to help second place Woodhouse Angel to victory over Anston Athletic and move within a point of the leaders, with two games in hand. A single Wes Pierce (pictured right) strike was all that separated the teams at half time and soon after the break Ben Sargeant poked in an equaliser for Anston. They weren't level for long though as Karl Colley and Dickinson opened up a two goal lead for Angel and although Carl Drabble met James Lawton's free kick to slide in a second for Anston, it was Angel and Dickinson that had the final say.

Despite conceding for the first time at home, just a point behind Angel is Ranch after two Richard Berry strikes helped them to a 4-2 victory over Anvil side that also had two 'goals' disallowed for offside. Steve Batty (pictured left) has developed a long throw that Rory Delap would be proud of and not for the first time this season, Berry got onto the end of one to flick home the first and the lead was doubled when Breon Fogarty chested the ball down on the edge of the area before rifling home. Dan Billard pulled one back for Anvil just before the break, but Berry restored Ranch's two goal lead when he found the top corner from Tom Hartley's pass. Neil Shackleton reduced the arrears again, but it was Ranch that made sure of the points when Ben Hartley's good run ended with a pass for his brother Tom to tap home.

Fourth place Heeley Crown lost ground as two Adam Travis strikes helped Handsworth Old Boys to victory over them in a nine goal thriller. Paddy O'Brien and Daniel Skinner goals for Heeley meant the sides went in level at half time, but with other goals from James Oldfield, Will Shipstone and Sam Plant, the Old Boys opened up a lead that proved to be just enough after Skinner and Dale Furniss pulled two back for Heeley.

Fifth place Loxley also dropped points as they needed a goal from sub Sam Barrett to earn them a draw at a Niagara side that finally climbed off the foot of the table. Loxley quickly pushed the home side back and they almost took the lead when Geoff Mayfield's effort was hacked off the line. Ed Wickett should have done better with a chance and they paid for it when Joe Naylor gave Niagara a half time lead very much against the run of play. Loxley continued to dominate after the break, but it needed the introduction of Barrett to get them level. They should have gone on to win it, but four Scott Parkin misses combined with some dogged defending meant that Niagara held on to the point that took them off the bottom.

Division 2 -  Four goal Fox outwits Old Crown, while Edwards treble stops Aston's rot

Although leaders Southey and second place Colley both won to maintain their place as frontrunners, the headlines went to Crookes & District's Karl Fox as he maintained his run of goals in every game since signing with four in his side's 6-1 win at Highfield Old Crown. Two Fox strikes either side of a Matt Reay penalty gave Crookes a three goal half time lead and Highfield's cause wasn't helped when they lost their keeper through injury. Fox grabbed his third soon after the break before Gary Wilkins netted Highfield's consolation, but Crookes continued to dominate and Chris Cottyn found the net before Fox scored his eleventh goal in just five games.

Southey Social quickly found themselves in a game as their hosts Red Lion started strongly and deservedly took a half time lead through Ryan Barker, but the leaders shook themselves after the break and John Mellor soon levelled before Danny Lindley put them ahead. Marcus Pass (pictured right) used his experience to find space in a goalmouth scramble for Southey's third before Mellor completed the scoring.

Colley's home form has been their Achilles heel this season and when two James Mace strikes gave struggling Oughtibridge Village a two goal lead, Colley were staring at a fifth home defeat, but Adam Jackson gave them a lifeline just before the break and soon after the interval Craig Hanson levelled. Paul Smith put them in front for the first time but the visitors responded with an Ian Phillips strike. With Richard Hirst outstanding at the back, it looked as if Oughtibridge would hold on for a point until Lee Grocock hit a real screamer from twenty five yards to win it for Colley.

Ross Edwards was the hat-trick hero as Aston Mayerton ended their poor run with a 5-1 home win over fellow promotion chasers Fairbank-Rhodes. Aston took the lead when Scott McKenna's shot was deflected past the keeper by Ryan Hall's backside and two Ross Edwards free kicks gave them a three goal half time lead. Edwards completed his hat-trick after the break and Thomas Connelly added a fifth before Hilton Stratford grabbed a consolation for a Fairbank side that had had to play much of the game with just nine men.

A last gasp Kev Allen strike gave Old Harrow victory over Junior Blades to end their run of seven games without a win. It didn't start well for them though as Tom Grapes volleyed home a cross from his brother Joe, but just before the break the home side levelled with Paul Goodfellow's first of the season. Zak Fleming-Wright put Old Harrow ahead in the second half, but it looked like their winless run would continue when Tom Grapes crossed for Chris Jones to score at the back post until Kev Allen headed a last gasp winner. Both clubs were full of praise for stand-in referee Tony Grapes.

6 Mar - Fixtures for April now listed

All the remaining fixtures have now been scheduled and are now shown on the fixtures page. Full detail of the arrangements so far and referees allocated so far are shown on the fixtures page - PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE DETAIL ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENTS.