21 Dec - January Fixtures and Referees now listed - The fixtures for January, including the appointed referees, are now listed, please confirm all the games with your referee and opponents by letter, or email, immediately and follow it up with a phone call at least 5 days before the game is due to be played.

21 Dec - New secretary for Phoenix - Division Two Phoenix now has a new secretary - Brad Hardy. His full details, including his address, mobile number and email address are now shown in the Cubs section of the website.

16 Dec - CBC PREMIER - Service held up by late Senior strikes, while Woolley double lifts The Vine - On a day when six of the top seven all drew, the one winner was The Vine who climbed to fourth as a Craig Woolley (right) double helped them to a home victory over Redmires. It was the visitors that started the better of the two, but The Vine’s defence held firm and their work was rewarded when Woolley put them ahead with a bullet header from a corner. Redmires responded though and were level before half time when Jon Wall finished off one of the best moves of the game.

The Vine started the second half in more determined fashion and after Rikki Davidson had shot wide with one chance, he supplied the cross for Danny Seaman to restore The Vine’s lead and Seaman then combined with Woolley for Woolley to score his second and make the result safe.

Civil Service also looked likely winners until two late Craig Senior (left) strikes gave Ecclesfield Players Lounge a share of the spoils. Service took the lead after just five minutes when Paul Billard headed home a Josh Corker corner and Wes Bamford twice missed good chances to extend their lead. They weren’t having it all their own way though and Ryan Keeney almost levelled when his shot cannoned off the bar and Andy Baxter then had a shot well saved by the Service keeper Karl Whitby.

Service, with Gaz Griffiths outstanding, looked to have clinched victory when Danny Wattam extended their lead with just ten minutes remaining, but Ecclesfield had shown a great work ethic throughout the game soon pulled one back when Craig Senior pushed home a Kieran Webb cross. One of the highlights of the game was the terrific battle that Senior had had with John Charles, but their was nothing Charles could do to stop Senior grabbing the equaliser when the ball fell to him after Whitby had initially saved a shot from Matt Clarke. Service almost snatched the three points at the end when Ben Brown shot just wide, but a draw was a just reward for the effort both side had put into a game well refereed by Craig Grundy.

Another drama filled game saw Southey Social and Bulls Head share eight goals. It was Bulls Head that drew first blood when a long ball over the top caused confusion in the Southey defence and Chris Peel scored. They weren’t ahead too long though as Southey defender Lee Wilson scored with a cheeky back-heel from a corner, but Bulls Head were back in front before half time when Alan Mowforth ran half the length of the pitch before beating two defenders and the keeper.

The second half wasn’t too old when Southey levelled a second time with a Curtis Gregory strike and they took the lead for the first time when Rob Womack and John Mellor combined to give Dave Wheeler the chance he gratefully finished off. It was Bulls Head’s turn to equalise when Tom Cocker turned the ball home following Ali Berry’s long throw, but Southey looked to have won it when Womack put them back in front. It would have been hard on Bulls Head had they not taken something from the game, so it was nothing less than they deserved when Lee Smith turned home another Berry long throw. Both sides also agreed that referee Paul Cooper (right) had very much helped to make it the thrilling game it was.

For the second time in a few weeks, leaders Stannington Village were held by Stocksbridge Park Steels. Steels’ Adam Todd hit the bar in the first half and in the second half John Ward brought a great save from Stannington keeper Nathan Ryan. Ryan also blocked a Mitchell Savage effort on the line, but Stannington also had chances and almost snatched it in the final minute when Barry Middlemiss hit the bar, but the game ended goalless.

DIV 1 - It's simple for Simon to lift Niagara, while Ball and Old Boys draw - Another game to end goalless saw Division One’s second place club Old Blue Ball held by fourth place Handsworth Old Boys. Josh Jones and Oliver Matthewson were rocks at the centre of the Ball defence, but they were also indebted to a terrific performance by keeper Adam Martin. Handsworth came closest to breaking the deadlock when they hit a post and they also had an effort cleared off the line.

A Simon Staniforth (left) double saw Niagara take the points against Aston Swallownest and climb away from danger at the foot of the table. Staniforth put Niagara ahead in the first half, but they were pegged back after the break when David Sills fired home. Aston were having a much better second half and they looked likely winners until Josh Bell had to go off with a hamstring injury and Niagara took full advantage as Staniforth scored his second to win it for them.

DIV 2 - Walker strike wins battle of the top two, while Oaks go second  - Cobden View extended their lead at the top of Division Two when a single Mike Walker strike gave them victory at an Anston Athletic that started the day just one place and two points behind them. The nearest either side came in the first half was when Cobden’s Dan Skidmore headed wide and it was Skidmore’s shot in the second half that was initially saved by the keeper, but the ball fell kindly for Walker to push home the rebound. Anston couldn’t make any impact on the leaders well drilled defence and it was Cobden that almost doubled their advantage when Jordan Jones missed a late chance.

Overtaking Anston into second place is Norton Oaks after they came away from Miners Arms with a 4-1 victory. Billy Ireland (right) pulled the ball back for Matt Ilett to give Oaks a first minute lead, but Miners hit back and levelled with a Mark Dobbs header. Oaks were back in front before the break when Andy Dawson hit a twenty five yarder in off the bar and in the second half they ran out comfortable winners as Rich Gillam cut inside to hit a third and Ireland turned in the area before firing low into the corner.

Up to fourth is Fox & Hounds after a Gary Bacon double helped them to victory at Sharrow Vale. Lee Roome an Ian Rumley hit Fox’s others as they made it three clean sheets out of their last four games. Liam Fable and Joe McGuiness both hit doubles as Brinsworth Whitehill ended their run of three defeats with a 5-3 victory over Chapeltown RBL. Andy Robinson hit Brinsworth’s other while Dan Hiner scored on his debut for Chapeltown. Rob Portman and Liam Gibson hit Chapeltown’s others, while another debutant, Mark Butcher was outstanding for them.

A Danny Clinton (left) treble saw Players Lounge Athletic to a 3-1 victory at Crookes & District. Alex Evison set Clinton up for the opener in the first half and Clinton should have doubled the lead before the break when he missed a penalty. He made up for that miss in the second half when he hit a wonder strike before completing his hat-trick when he was left one-on-one with the keeper. Crookes got some reward for their efforts when Chris Cottyn headed home a Lee Wharton cross in the final minute.

JUNIOR CUP - End of the Road as both Villa & Phoenix bow out - The League’s last two survivors in the County FA Cups, Hemsworth Villa and Phoenix, both bowed out to Rotherham sides. Lee Webber and Ryan Powell strikes (Ryan's goal is pictured first left below along with other action from the game) had put Villa right back into their tie with a Feathers side that had been reduced to ten men, but they were twice caught out on the break as they pushed everyone forward in search of an equaliser and Feathers ran out 5-2 winners. Phoenix’s Dan Commander hit a hat-trick at Pewter Pot, but it wasn’t enough to save them from a 5-3 defeat.

11 Dec - Referees for 16 December now listed - The County FA has allocated the referees to us for this coming Sunday 16 Dec and they are now shown in the Fixtures section of the website. Home clubs must contact the referee immediately to confirm the details with them.

9 Dec - MACRON CUP - Old Boys  & Ecclesfield Players Lounge through to semi finals - Division One Handsworth Old Boys twice came from behind to beat Norton Oaks and reach the Macron Cup semi finals for the first time. Division Two Oaks got off to a flyer when Billy Ireland put them ahead after just twenty seconds, but Handsworth didn’t panic and were level at half time thanks to a Dalton Kershaw strike. The second half saw Oaks again take a quick lead when Jamie Marshall fired home, but when Oaks lost Steve Scott to injury the impetus switched to their visitors and Kershaw hit his second of the game to even things up again.

Handsworth got their noses in front when Chris James (1st picture on left below) scored from just inside the penalty area and they doubled their lead when Jack Hall headed home. Oaks fought back with a Coel Fulton strike, but a second Hall header ended any hopes of a comeback. It could have been even more emphatic when Handsworth were awarded a penalty, but Oaks keeper Jamie Hallatt’s save wasn’t enough to stop Handsworth going through.

A second quarter final saw former Macron Cup holders Ecclesfield Players Lounge have a comfortable 4-1 victory at Division One Niagara. Joe Knight set up the opener for Andy Baxter to score and Kieran Webb soon doubled Ecclesfield’s lead. Webb and Mark Groves were dictating the game for Ecclesfield and they added a third before the break with a trademark goal from Craig Senior. Senior then added a fourth after the break and although Simon Staniforth scored for Niagara, it was just a consolation.

CBC PREMIER - Bateman double knocks Southey off the top - In the CBC Premier, a Dan Bateman (left) double helped The Vine defeat Southey Social and knock them off the top of the table as a Dean Jepson double helped Stannington Village to victory over Handsworth Turf and back to the top. The Vine was able to welcome back three defenders that had been missing through injuries, but one of them, Sean Blythe, was still looking rusty when he gave the penalty away that allowed Jamie Roper to give Southey the lead. With the defenders back, it allowed Dan Bateman to go back into his normal midfield role and on the stroke of half time he levelled for The Vine, slotting hom after Rikki Davidson had beat two defenders and crossed.

After the break, The Vine went ahead when Bateman headed home a Danny Seaman corner before Seaman added a third from another Davidson cross. Although Southey then had a player dismissed, they still rallied and reduced the arrears with a Craig Wild header to give The Vine some uncomfortable moments before the end.

Pitsmoor Royal Oak keeper Adam Fairbrother almost opened the scoring when his wind assisted clearance almost caught the Bulls Head keeper out, but he scrambled back to keep the ball out. Luke Parwana shot wide when well placed and Gavin Davis then had a shot saved by the Bulls Head keeper. After dominating the play, Pitsmoor then fell behind when Delroy Elliott conceded a penalty and Alan Mowforth scored from the spot. Pitsmoor continued to press though and after Davis had hit the inside of the post, the pressure finally paid off when Sean Hutchinson scored in spectacular fashion, After the break it was Bulls Head’s turn to have more of the pressure and it was Fairbrother that needed to make the saves, but it was Pitsmoor’s Davis that almost snatched it at the end. Stocksbridge Park Steels were drawing at Redmires when the game was abandoned due to high winds.

DIV 1 - Parnell's late stunner extends Angel's lead , while Bush win at last - Woodhouse Angel needed two late goals to come from behind against Oughtibridge Village and extend their lead at the top of Division One to four points. Oughtibridge took a deserved lead through Marcus Pass and they thought they had doubled it until Dave Hudson’s effort was ruled out for offside, but Angel kept plugging away and Matt Parks equalised with ten minutes remaining before Liam Parnell (right) won it for them with a goal worthy of winning any game.

An own goal and strikes from Matt Dickinson, Stuart McGregor and Simon Flaherty saw Hollin Bush record their first win of the season at Aston Swallownest, who’s only reply came from Nathan Warren,  while Matt Meaney and Dan Green doubles helped Colley to a 6-1 victory at Bradwell Skips. Carl Lomas and Joe Zipfel hit Colley’s others, while Nick Wells hit Bradwell’s only consolation.

DIV 2 - Leaders held, while Danny's the boy for Players Lounge - Division Two leaders Cobden View twice came from behind to rescue a point at home against Miners Arms, Miners opener by Mark Dobbs was cancelled when Mark Hoyle crossed for Jordan Jones to take the ball in his stride to score, but Miners re-took the lead with a Robert Harwood goal. Miners lead would have increased had they not had a goal disallowed, but it was Cobden that levelled a second time when Hoyle crossed for Paul Griffiths to shoot and although his shot was blocked by the keeper, the ball fell kindly for Mike Walker to score.

Rob Russell's first ever goal for second place Anston Athletic proved to be the winner against a plucky Sharrow Vale. James Saxelby scored at the second attempt to open the scoring and a goalkeeping error allowed James Lawton to tap home Anston’s second before half time. After the break, Ben Bowling pulled one back for Vale, but Russell restored Anston’s two goal advantage soon after. They needed it as well as Vale scored a deserved second through Tom Wray, but Anston held on.

Danny Parker (left) scored five as Players Lounge Athletic twice came from behind to beat Brinsworth Whitehill 6-3. Jack Oakland put Brinsworth ahead and although that was cancelled out by Parker before half time, Brinsworth went in front again after the break with a Joe McGuiness strike. Parker levelled a second time after playing a one-two with Scott Harrison and Parker scored twice more to put Lounge in control. McGuiness then scored his second to reduce the arrears, but Parkers fifth and one for new signing Chris Coy made the points safe for Lounge.

A Dan Commander double along with singles from Nicky Shaw, Ross Brown and Josh Aston saw Phoenix to a 5-1 victory over Crookes & District, with their consolation coming from Mike Dobson. John Rhodes shot for Loxley that hit a post was the nearest either Loxley or their visitors Fox & Hounds came to scoring until Loxley keeper Lee Crabtree's late penalty ensured the game ended without a goal. George Rudd and Adam Whittaker goals gave Junior Blades a two goal lead at Chapeltown RBL before Chapeltown’s man of the match Luke Webster pulled one back, but the second half saw Rudd complete his second double in as many games before Danny Law made the points save from the penalty spot

2 Dec - MACRON CUP - Both Ties Postponed - The frost put paid to both Macron Cup Quarter Finals and they will now be re-scheduled for a date in January.

CBC PREMIER - Queens tied up by Roper as Southey go top, while Ecclesfield let it slip - On a day when the freezing conditions put paid to most of the games, Southey Social took advantage of their all-weather pitch to go top of the CBC Premier when a Jamie Roper double helped them to victory over Queens Ground. John Mellor gave Southey the lead before Roper grabbed his first. Roper then scored his second direct from a corner before Shane Andrews put Southey four up. Gavin Dunn pulled one back before half time and Adrian Tomlin scored a second for a much improved Queens in the second half, but they never really threatened to stop Southey from taking the three points.

Ecclesfield Players Lounge’s all-weather pitch also allowed their game to go ahead, but they missed their chance to go joint top when they let a two goal lead slip from their grasp against Stocksbridge Park Steels. Craig Senior got onto the end of Gavin Hunter’s cross to put Ecclesfield ahead, but Steels were level by half time after Mitchell Savage played Scott Birch in and he chipped the keeper. With Andy Baxter calling the shots, Ecclesfield took charge in the second half and they regained the lead when Joe Knight crossed for Senior to head his second.

Soon after, Ecclesfield doubled their advantage when Scott Whittington raced onto a long ball before beating the keeper, but this seemed to sting Stocksbridge into action and after a few near misses, Savage again put Birch in to score his second. Despite more Steels pressure it looked as if Ecclesfield would hold on, but with just seconds remaining, Steels forced a corner that wasn’t cleared and in the scramble Kevin Davies (right) produced a brilliant finish to give his side a point.

DIV 1 - Chambers bounces Ball into second place, while Hall super show slows Villa - Old Blue Ball forced their way into the Division One promotion places as Callum Chambers scored four in a 5-1 win at Hollin Bush. Rees McAndless hit Ball’s other goal, but as well as Chambers goals, they were equally indebted to the midfield dominance of John Morgan and the saves of keeper Adam Martin. Martin was beaten once by Cole Starkes and if Bush had had more of a cutting edge, the result may have been a lot closer.

Hemsworth Villa’s title chances took another blow when a penalty miss saw them fail to win at home for a third time and they needed an Alex Yule strike to claim a point against Aston Swallownest. Aston had slightly the better of a first half and David Sills (left) deservedly headed them in front from a corner. Villa’s keeper got his hands to the ball but the referee adjudged the ball to have crossed the line.

The second half saw Villa come on strong and after Aston keeper had made a string of saves he was finally beaten when Russ Westby crossed for Alex Yule to head home. Yule then missed a glorious chance to put Villa ahead, but an even better chance went begging when Mark Hopkinson was tripped in the area and Villa were awarded a penalty. Up stepped the normally reliable Westby, but he put his shot too near to keeper Hall and he saved to earn his side a point.

DIV 2 - Blades get Rudd of the green to climb out of bottom three - Two of Division Two’s bottom three met at Ridgeway, where a George Rudd (right) double saw Junior Blades to victory over Sharrow Vale. When Vale needlessly gave the ball away, the ball was played forward to Chris Sharp and his flick-on was perfect for Rudd to meet and give the Blades a half time lead. The Blades had other good chances when Matt Halliday blazed over and Jake Schofield header was too weak to trouble the keeper and after the break it looked as if they would pay for those misses.

Vale began to create chances of their own and when a right win cross was floated over, Tom Harris rose highest to put Vale level. Vale then found themselves pushed back again and after Rudd had missed a header and a one-on-one chance with the keeper, his persistence finally paid off when he chased what looked like a lost cause and hesitation by the Vale keeper allowed him to his the Blades winner.