Blades Super Draw League Honours

CBC Premier    Champions – Stannington Village, 2^nd Bulls Head

Leading scorer - 23 - Craig Senior, Ecclesfield Players Lounge

Division One    Champions – Woodhouse Angel, 2^nd – The Park, 3^rd – Handsworth Old Boys

Leading scorer - 19 - Lee Webber, Hemsworth Villa

Division Two    Champions – Loxley, 2^nd – Norton Oaks, 3^rd – Cobden View

Leading scorer – 34 - Danny Clinton, Players Lounge Athletic

Macron Cup     Winners – Stannington Village, Runners-up - Ecclesfield Players Lounge

Merit Cup         Winners – SUJB Old Boys, Runners-up – Crookes & District 

The team of the year in the Blades Super Draw League has to be double winners Stannington Village (right), but CBC Premier runners-up Bulls Head also had a terrific first season in the top flight.  Stocksbridge Park Steels did well to finish third after a poor start to the season, while Ecclesfield Players Lounge added a Bramall Lane Macron Cup Final appearance to their fourth place finish. With twenty three goals, Ecclesfield’s leading scorer Craig Senior also topped the CBC Premier charts for a remarkable fourth time in six seasons.

Woodhouse Angel led Division One virtually all season and take their place back in the top flight after an absence of two seasons and runners-up The Park are back after an absence of six years. Handsworth Old Boys are also back in the top flight for the first time since 2005 thanks to James Abramski’s remarkable penalty save in the final minute against Hemsworth Villa in the final game of the season. Villa’s Lee Webber was the divisions top scorer with nineteen goals.

After relegation the previous season, Loxley bounced back at the first attempt, but they only took the Division Two title with victory in the final game of the season. Norton Oaks finished second, but only after a Rich Gilham strike gave them a 1-0 victory in a special decided against Cobden View after the two sides finished with identical records. Players Lounge Athletic’s leading scorer Danny Clinton hit thirty four goals to claim the League’s Golden Boot Award and collected his pair of boots from sponsors twentytwo, the local football specialists.

17 May - Clinton tops the bill - With 34 goals, Division Two Players Lounge Athletic's Danny Clinton has landed the twentytwo leading scorer Golden Boots Award and is pictured left collecting his reward from twenytwo owner Chris Whalley. Ecclesfield Players Lounge's Craig Senior is the CBC Premier's top scorer for the fourth time in six seasons with 23 goals, while Hemsworth Villa's Lee Webber takes the Division One award with 19 goals. Full details of the leading scorers for each team is shown in the Leading Goalscorers section.

16 May - MACRON CUP FINAL - Coulson double gives Stannington the double  - Stannington Village made it a League and Cup double with a 2-1 win after extra-time over a battling Ecclesfield Players Lounge. Pete Fidler's side followed up their Premier Division title success with a hard-fought Bramall Lane triumph to complete the double for a second time. It was a double too for midfielder Josh Coulson who got both goals, the extra-time winner an absolute cracker and worthy of winning any final.

Ecclesfield started the quicker of the two and after some last ditch tackles had denied both Gavin Hunter and Andy Baxter, they almost went ahead when Dale Hirst and Gavin Hunter combined to get the ball to Craig Senior, but his shot with the outside of his foot thundered against the bar. Andy Baxter then had a shot saved and Joe Knight struck a volley over the top from 12 yards following a long throw. Nathan Ryan was decisive when punching away a Ryan Keeney free-kick amidst a group of players and Ecclesfield skipper Mark Groves fired over . It took Stannington 35 minutes to muster a shot on target, Dean Jepson's effort straight at Chris Greenwood. However, they made their next one count three minutes before the break. Coulson carried the ball from midfield, took a return pass from Jack Mylneck and stabbed a low effort from 16 yards inside the far post (see picture left below).

Boosted by the goal, Stannington immediately improved on their first half performance after the break and within a couple of minutes Mylneck glanced a header just wide from a Shaun Flynn cross. At the other end, Keeney's dangerous free-kick was touched behind importantly by Nathan Ryan. Stannington should have increased their lead after a mix-up at a goal kick but Greenwood rescued his side by denying Mylneck who was clean through. From the resulting corner, Adam Grainger struck a 30 yarder not far wide. But Ecclesfield began to get back into the game, with Gavin Hunter's surging runs causing the Stannington defence real problems and with 20 minutes to go, Ecclesfield were back level. Good work on the left by Keiron Webb saw him go past his man and pull the ball back for Gavin Hunter to produce a smart finish from 12 yards high into the net.

Stannington stormed back and pressed strongly for the winner with Lee Johnstone curling a free-kick just wide. Then Sami Eric poked wide from a good position from Johnstone's pass. John Saville thought he'd won it with a header from a corner only for Greenwood to produce a fine, flying save and in stoppage time, Coulson had an opportunity to win it but Greenwood again proved up to it.

Ecclesfield strove to find something more in extra-time and it needed a great recovering tackle from skipper Johnstone to stop Tom Bartholomew when he was breaking clear 25 yards out. The decisive moment came in the 102nd minute. Danny Turner - later named as the Sheffield Trophy Centre Man of the Match - got up to head the ball away but, with some tiring legs, there was a bit of space now and it was Coulson who got to the loose ball first and decided on a first time shot from around 25 yards. He connected perfectly and the ball flew in giving Greenwood no chance.

Brilliant skill by Jepson in beating two players set up the chance of a clincher for Stannington in the 107th minute only for Greenwood to deflect his effort wide. Ecclesfield showed great spirit and were almost rewarded with two minutes left when Webb struck a fine effort from 18 yards, it looked in only for keeper Ryan to produced a magnificent save high to his right, touching the ball onto the bar and over. It was to be Ecclesfield's last throw before Stannington ran down the clock. The game was well handled by Tom Bramall one of Sheffield's young up and coming referees.

The Squads: ECCLESFIELD PLAYERS LOUNGE: CHRIS GREENWOOD, DALE HIRST, MATT CLARKE, MARK GROVES (C), DANNY TURNER, RYAN KEENEY, JOE KNIGHT, MITCHELL ROBINSON, CRAIG SENIOR, GAVIN HUNTER, KEIRON WEBB, ANDY BAXTER, DANNY HOPE, TOM BARTHOLOMEW, SCOTT TOUHEY, WILL TURNBULL, SCOTT WHITTINGTON, PAUL BASHFORTH

STANNINGTON VILLAGE: NATHAN RYAN, DANIEL GREEN, BENJAMIN COOK, WILLIAM GREEN, JOHN SAVILLE, ADAM GRAINGER, TOM DONLON, LEE JOHNSTONE (C), LUKE MITCHELL-STANLEY, DEAN JEPSON, SHAUN FLYNN, JOSHUA COULSON, ROBERT SHELLEY, JOHN ALCOCK, JACK MLYNECK, SAMI ERIC, SIMON SMITH, JOE BARKER, JOHN GRAYSON

REFEREE: TOM BRAMALL ASSISTANT REFEREES: PETE HENGER, PAUL MATTHEWSON 4TH OFFICIAL: STEVE CLARKSON

14 May - DIV 2 - Norton Oaks pip Cobden View in 2nd place decider  - A single first half Rich Gilham goal (left) gave Norton Oaks victory in the decider for the runners-up spot. The play-off was needed after the two sides had ended the season with identical records and this game proved just as close. took the lead about 15 minutes in when Rich Gilham (right), playing centre midfield, played a one two with Jack Moorhouse and ran clear of the defensive line before striking low into the net. Both teams tried to keep possession and played mostly on the deck in what was a good standard and hard fought match in good spirits. Other than a strike from outside of the box which Andy Dawson blocked with a sliding tackle, Cobden were limited to half chances and the Oaks defence looked strong. Norton had a few strikes from distance that were fairly comfortable for the keeper and soaked up pressure whilst attacking on the counter in the last 10 minutes.

12 May - DIV 1 - Abramski the hero as Handsworth take third place - Handsworth Old Boys (pictured right) went into their game at Hemsworth Villa knowing that a point would give them the third automatic promotion place and a victory would see them pip The Park to second place, while for Villa it was simple - a win would see the finish second, but any other result would see them finish fourth. It started well for Handsworth and they took a deserved lead through Dalton Kershaw first half goal, but after the break Villa struck back to level with Lee Webber's nineteenth goal of the season, a goal that meant that he finished as Division One's leading scorer. Both sides were finding it hard to create any real clear cut chances, but in the final couple of minutes it looked like Villa would take that final automatic promotion place when referee Ian Cox awarded them a penalty, but Handsworth keeper James Abramski (pictured left) pulled off a remarkable save from Russ Westby's spot kick and Handsworth held on to take that place instead. That result means that The Park finish the season as runners-up.

DIV 2 - Loxley take the title, while Brinsworth & Fox finish 5th & 6th - Loxley went into their game at Junior Blades knowing that just a point would see them lift the title and it went even better than that as they came away with a 2-1 victory. After being fed by Anthony Marshall, Geoff Mayfield volleyed Loxley into the lead, only for the Blades to hit back straight away when a free kick found Adam Cawood at the back post and his header back across the goal was headed home by George Rudd for his sixteenth of the season. Loxley went back in front five minutes before half time when Dick Pearson brought Marshall down in the box and Tim Pitt stepped up to hit his twelfth of the season from the spot. The Blades were hampered for the second half when an injury meant they were reduced to ten men, but they gave a really spirited performance and forced the Loxley defence into a couple of desperate clearances, but Loxley knew that even if the Blades did equalise, a point would still be good enough for Loxley to take the title and with Richard Dale winning most things in midfield, their defence held on for a 2-1 victory - to enable their celebrations to begin (see picture left).

Fox & Hounds pipped Players Lounge Athletic when they fought out a 3-3 draw with fifth placed Brinsworth Whitehill. Chris Brown scrambled the ball home to give Fox the lead and they should have doubled it when Martin Rodgers gave away a penalty, but Russ Barker's spot kick was brilliantly saved by Brinsworth keeper Nicky Littlewood and it wasn't too long before Brinsworth levelled through Adam Robinson and then went in front with a Lewis Watson strike. Gary West then levelled for Fox, but Brinsworth were back in front with Joe McGuiness's seventeenth of the season. Fox weren't done though and Richard Firth hit a twenty yarder that went in off the underside of the bar to give them the point they needed to finish sixth.

12 May - Clinton tops the bill - With 34 goals, Division Two Players Lounge Athletic's Danny Clinton (left) has landed the twentytwo leading scorer Golden Boots Award, and Ecclesfield Players Lounge's Craig Senior is the CBC Premier's top scorer for the fourth time in six seasons with 23 goals. In Division One, Hemsworth Villa's Lee Webber takes the Division One award with 19 goals. Full details of the leading scorers for each team is shown in the Leading Goalscorers section.

5 May - CBC PREMIER - Eric treble sees Stannington finish in champion style  - New champions Stannington Village (pictured right) completed their season in style as Sami Eric hit a hat-trick for a 3-1 victory over runners-up Bulls Head. Eric's first two came from his right boot, while his third came from his left. Chris Peel hit Bulls consolation goal.

DIV 1 - Ranch round up the champions, while Villa slip sees The Park go up - New champions Woodhouse Angel suffered a rare defeat in their final game of the season at a rejuvenated Ranch, while The Park are promoted with Angel after Hemsworth Villa were beaten at home by Oughtibridge Village. It now means that the third automatic promotion place will be decided when Villa face Handsworth Old Boys next weekend. If Villa win it they will pip Handsworth to the final promotion place, but a draw or a win for Handsworth will see them up. Victory for either Villa or Handsworth would also see them take the runners-up spot and push The Park into third place, while a draw would see The Park finish second and Handsworth third.

After Lee Webber had given Hemsworth Villa the lead, Oughtibridge Village were soon level as the outstanding Justin Westoby crossed for James Baker to slot home, Village were soon 2-1 up when Strachan Sampson played Westoby through to brilliantly finish. The second half saw  Villa's keeper Karl Scholey make three terrific saves, but he was eventually beaten when the excellent John Heritage put Sean Lee through to score. Westoby then capped an outstanding display with the goal of the day where he played a delightful volley pass from a goal kick to Adam Wood before Wood played it back to him to fire home.

After a goalless first half, Oliver Whittaker gave Ranch the lead against the new champions and although Matt Parks netted his eighteenth of the season to level things up, Ranch went back in front when Carl Pearce's forty yard ball found Ben Hartley and he scored from the edge of the area. Angel responded by putting the Ranch defence under pressure, but they were caught on the break as Jack Clarkson netted a third for Ranch.

DIV 2 - Chapeltown claim a rare victory, while Phoenix are penalised by the Law  - Rob Portman's header gave Chapeltown RBL a rare victory at Sharrow Vale, while a Danny Law penalty gave Junior Blades a point after they had twice been three down.

Matt Hall gave Chapeltown a first half lead only to see it cancelled out by Ashley Chome's header after the break. Vale then had another effort disallowed and had a good shout for a penalty, but it was the visitors that took home the points when good approach work by Brett Simms and Andy Hodkin enabled man of the match Portman to grab the winner with a towering header.

Matt Jebson, Brad Hardy and a Dan Commander goal had Phoenix three up a minute into the second half at Junior Blades and although Dick Pearson pulled one back for the Blades, they were three down once again when Commander scored his second. The Blades didn't give in though and George Rudd headed their second before Jake Schofield grabbed a third and their comeback was completed when they were awarded a last minute penalty and Danny Law fired home from the spot.

2 May - CBC PREMIER - Title joy for Stannington  - A Sean Flynn (left) goal after an hour saw Stannington Village beat Civil Service 1-0 and land the title after finishing runners-up for the last four seasons.

DIV 1 - Villa close in on a promotion place  - Two Lee Webber (right) goals helped Hemsworth Villa to a 4-1 win at new champions Woodhouse Angel. Pete Burgin nicked the ball off a defender before crossing for Webber to tap Villa into the lead. Tom Goodall then levelled for Angel following a free kick, but Villa were back in front before the break when Mark Hopkinson got down the right before delivering a great cross for Burgin to head home. After the break Burgin sent Alex Yule down the left and his cross was met at the near post by Webber to score his second. Lat in the game Yule crossed for Mark Hopkinson to head a fourth for Villa to leave them just two points behind second place The Park, but with two games in hand

30 Apr - DIV 1 - Colley find it Hall too Silly  - Two goals each from Scott Hall and David Sills saw Aston Swallownest beat Colley 4-2. Hall and Sills gave Aston a two goal half time lead an although Colley levelled with Josh Connor and Daniel Ferguson strikes it was Aston that finished their season with a win after another one each for Hall and Sills.

28-Apr - CBC PREMIER - Bull leave Service in Ashes  - Nick Ash (left) plundered a hat-trick as Bulls Head moved within two points of the CBC Premier leaders with a 7-1 thrashing of last seasons champions Civil Service. Bull took the lead when Alan Mowforth’s free kick was deflected past the Civil keeper, but Service were having a good share of the game and levelled with a Danny Fowler strike. It stayed like that until half time, but the second half saw Bull go into overdrive.

Nick Ash headed Bull back into the lead with a header from a corner and quickly added his second after being set up by Mowforth. Ash then completed his hat-trick with a shot from the edge of the area and he looked like scoring a fourth until he was brought down in the area. Mowforth stepped up to score his second from the spot before another attack saw Mark Bryant round the Service keeper and score their sixth. Bull then scored a magnificent seventh when Joe Windle volleyed home.

Ecclesfield Players Lounge’s Macron Cup Final preparations didn't go quite as well as they had in midweek when they were beaten by Redmires. Redmires took a first half lead when Matt Groves’ back header fell short of his keeper and Mikey Taylor nipped in to score and although Ecclesfield levelled when Craig Senior took advantage of Dan Bathie’s miscued clearance to net his twenty third of the season, Redmires won it with a Jon Wall solo goal.

DIV 1 - Title joy for Angel. but Webber and Kershaw trebles see Villa and Handsworth snapping at The Park's heels  - Woodhouse Angel (right) became the first team this season to secure a title when a 2-2 draw against Aston Swallownest confirmed them as Division One champions. Matt Parks gave Angel a first half lead and although Aston hit back after the break to level through David Sills, Parks restored Angel’s lead. Sills grabbed his second to level a second time and only a great save by the Angel keeper stopped him completing a hat-trick. Angel almost won it themselves though, but a fantastic double save Scott Hall meant they had to settle for a draw.

Who goes up with Angel is still very much up for grabs. The Park could have secured their place if they had got just a point from their final game of the season at promotion rivals Hemsworth Villa, but they were blown away by a rampant Villa. The home side went ahead after just four minutes when Alex Yule challenged the keeper for a cross and the ball fell for Lee Webber (left) to tap in. Webber was involved just five minutes later when he played a one-two that allowed Peter Burgin to score. Webber grabbed his second just five minutes later and he completed his hat-trick after just twenty minutes when he scored with a free kick after Yule had been fouled.

Ali Mitchell took advantage of a mis-kick by Villa keeper Chris bell to pull one back for The Park before half time and soon after the break Jordan Belcher grabbed a second, but with Rob and Johnny Smith outstanding in the heart of the Villa defence, The Park couldn’t make any further headway and it was Villa that scored the game’s final two goals – both headed in by Andy Hibberd from Russ Westby crosses. That result means that The Park’s promotion chances now rest on Villa and Handsworth Old Boys not overtaking them when they play their games in hand on them.

Handsworth won the first of them when a Dalton Kershaw hat-trick helped them to a 4-2 victory over Oughtibridge Village – a result that ended Oughtibridge’s own promotion bid. It looked like Oughtibridge would be the one’s taking home the points when a Strachan Sampson header and a Sean Lee strike twice gave them the lead before half time, but the second half saw Kershaw complete his treble along with one from Chris James to give Handsworth the points.

Another team that have decided to call it a day at the end of the season is Niagara and they also signed out with a victory, 5-2 over Ranch. Simon Staniforth (right) hit two, one of them from the penalty spot and Brendan Burns also scored from the penalty spot along with goals from Ben Dronfield and Craig Foster, while Oliver Whittaker scored both Ranch goals – one of them from inside his own half when he spotted the Niagara keeper off his line.

DIV 2 - It's stalemate at the top for Cobden and Norton, but Loxley it's a different Storey for Loxley  - Division Two is heading for a play-off between Cobden View and Norton Oaks to decide who will be either the runners-up, or even the champions, after they completed the season with identical records. Cobden View entertained a Chapeltown RBL side they had beaten 6-0 just a week earlier and another big win looked on the cards when an Andy Jukunbowski cross was headed into his own net by Dave Hattersley to give Cobden the lead, but although Mike Walker collected Jordan Jones cross to lob the keeper for Cobden’s second, the goal flood didn’t come and it was Chapeltown’s Sam Walch that pulled one back for his side. Although that meant a very nervy finish for Cobden, they held on for a 2-1 win.

Norton Oaks travelled to a Fox & Hounds that had fought out a seven goal thriller with them earlier in the season and another 4-3 win for Oaks meant they finished with an identical record to Cobden View. Chris Brown, Steve Davis and Gary Wright gave Fox the lead three times, but each time Rich Gilham (left) levelled to take his season’s tally to twenty two. Oaks knew they had to win to stay in the title race and their winner came when Jack Moorhouse hit an absolute cracker from thirty yards, but little did they know that they and Cobden will now have to play-off against each other.

Both Cobden and Norton could be pipped for the title though by Loxley who followed up a midweek draw with long time leaders Anston Athletic with a 1-0 victory over Phoenix. Loxley's winner came very late in the game, when Tom Storey raced away before bending a shot across the keeper into the far corner. That has left Loxley needing just a point from their final game at Junior Blades on 12 May, but that might not be that easy though as Junior Blades kept up their unpredictable season with a 3-1 win at Miners Arms. Dan McLean gave Miners the lead, but the Blades levelled before half time when Daz Mitchell headed home Matt Halliday’s free kick. Two more headers in the second half gave the points to the Blades as Jake Schofield and Halliday took advantage of two Danny Law long throws.

25-Apr - CBC PREMIER - Pitsmoor sign off with a win, while Service slammed by Ecclesfield  - Pitsmoor Royal Oak played their final ever game and it was perhaps fitting that their skipper Leon Stocks (left) scored their last ever goal midway through the second half to give them a 1-0 victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels. Civil Service's hopes of a runners-up spot disappeared with a 4-0 defeat by Macron Cup Finalists Ecclesfield Players Lounge. Gavin Hunter gave Ecclesfield a half time lead and after the break Danny Turner converted a Ryan Keeney cross to make it two, before Andy Baxter added a third and Joe Knight a fourth.

DIV 1 - The Park have a stroll at Colley  - The Park are now just one win away from promotion after winning 9-2 at Colley. Lee Bridges took just thirty two seconds to put The Park ahead and he doubled it five minutes later. Ali Mitchell added a third before Josh Connor scored for Colley, but another from Mitchell and one each for Mark Townsend and Dan Robinson gave The Park a 6-1 lead at half time. Jordan Belcher made it 7-1 before Colley's second came from the penalty spot from Ridha Miladi, but The Park weren't finished and Jack Ridge scored before Townsend hit his second and The Park's ninth.

DIV 2 - Oaks are up, but Mason's first of the season keeps Loxley off the top  - A Josh Stafford tap-in and an Andy Dawson penalty gave Norton Oaks (right) a two goal half time lead against Junior Blades and although George Rudd pulled one back for the Blades after the break, Oaks held on to guarantee a top three finish along with current leaders Cobden View. Loxley missed their chance to guarantee promotion and go back to the top when Anston Athletic's Alex Mason scored his first goal of the season in the last few seconds to give his side a 2-2 draw. Anston took the lead in the first half when John Thompson's long punt downfield was headed past his own keeper by Mick Smith, but Loxley levelled after the break when Anston keeper Adam Russell dropped the ball and Tim Pitt tapped in. Geoff Mayfield then scored a terrific header from a corner and it looked like it would be enough until Mason's last gasp goal.

Players Lounge Athletic's chances of a top six finish took a hit when they let a lead slip and lost 2-1 at Phoenix. The normally reliable Danny Clinton missed a whole series of chances for Athletic before Reuben Wood rifled the ball home from twenty yards to show him how to do it. Phoenix evened things up with a Dan Commander goal and they then won it with a Brookfield strike.

23 Apr - Clinton still tops the bill - Division Two Players Lounge Athletic's Danny Clinton (left) is still leading the way for the twentytwo leading scorer Golden Boots Award, and Ecclesfield Players Lounge's Craig Senior is continuing to lead the CBC Premier goalscoring charts. Both of them look set to stay at the top, but in Division One, although Woodhouse Angel's Matt Parks still leads the way he has several others breathing down his neck. Full details of the leading scorers for each team is shown in the Leading Goalscorers section.

22-Apr - MACRON CUP - The Bramall Lane Macron Cup Final date set for 16 May - We are able to confirm the date for the Macron Cup Final at Bramall Lane for Thursday 16 May when Ecclesfield Players Lounge will meet fellow CBC Premier side Stannington Village. The game should be a real cracker between two former holders of the trophy.

22-Apr - Spartans wave the flags at Bramall Lane - The Spartans were invited to be the Blades official flag bearers at United's recent game with Swindon Town. The lads all enjoyed United's hospitality and had a great day.

21-Apr - MACRON CUP - Village people clip Angel's wings - Dean Jepson scored twice (pictured right is Dean's second goal) as CBC Premier leaders Stannington Village proved to strong for Division One leaders Woodhouse Angel beating them 5-1.

CBC Premier leaders Stannington Village were looking to take a step nearer to a possible double when they faced Division One leaders Woodhouse Angel at the HSBC Sports Ground. The game started with a moment of controversy in the first ten seconds when a long ball down the middle saw Stannington Village keeper Nathan Ryan come very close to handling the ball outside his area. The game continued at a frantic pace and referee Matt Tyers had to show a couple of yellow cards to cool things down.

Woodhouse Angel came close to opening the scoring when Liam Kay’s deflected shot bounced on top of the bar, but the corner was cleared by Stannington and their quick break resulted in a corner to them that saw them almost take the lead. When the corner was swung in a desperate goal line clearance fell to Nick Coulson, but his shot was also hacked off the line.

Stannington were doing all the pressing and another corner saw a Dan Green header tipped over by Angel keeper Spencer Starkes. When the next corner came in John Saville’s header was handled by Chris Towey and referee Tyers immediately pointed to the spot, but Lee Johnstone’s weak spot kick was easily saved by Starkes (left). Stannington continued to press though and their opener eventually came when John Saville’s shot was turned in by fellow defender Dan Green (right). Angel tried to respond and Matt Parks had a shot blocked, Liam Kay shot over and Kirk Briddon shot wide, but Stannington also went close when Ben Cook hit the side netting.

The second half started with Stannington doubling their lead when Rob Shelley beat the full back and his cross was headed on by Shaun Flynn for Jack Mylnek to head in at the back post. Angel almost pulled one back immediately, but keeper Ryan pulled off a terrific save to deny Dave Kippax, but they were soon to fall further behind when Bill Green’s long throw caused confusion in the Angel defence and Ben Cook rose almost unchallenged to head home Stannington’s third.

Angel were then presented with a foothold back in the game when Stannington’s Bill Green was penalised for a high foot in the area and although keeper Ryan went the right way, Gareth Simons spot kick had too much power for him and found the net. Almost immediately, Angel then pressed the self destruct button when Chris Towey saw red for his comments to the referee and with him went Angel’s hopes.

Stannington made the most of the extra space when Shaun Flynn beat the full back on the right and his cross was met by a sensational volley into the top corner by Stannington’s leading scorer Dean Jepson. That kept his record of goals in every round and he took his tally to six in the competition when, after good work by Sami Eric, Jepson collected the ball on the edge of the area before curling his second into the bottom corner to complete the scoring. Stannington will now meet Ecclesfield Players Lounge in the final at Bramall Lane in May.

STANNINGTON VILLAGE: Nathan Ryan, Daniel Green, Benjamin Cook, William Green, John Saville, Adam Grainger, Tom Donlon, Lee Johnstone, Luke Mitchell-Stanley, Dean Jepson, Shaun Flynn, Joshua Coulson, Robert Shelley, John Alcock, Jack Mlyneck, Sami Eric

WOODHOUSE ANGEL: Spencer Starkes, Mark Coggin, Thomas Goodall, Nick Hague, David Kippax, Chris Towey, Liam Kay, Gareth Simons, Liam Parnell, Matthew Parks, Kirk Briddon, Chris Askey, Luke Browse, Lee Marshall, Ryan Sheppard

REFEREE: Matt Tyers ASSISTANT REFEREES: Jamie Bates, Richard Middleton, Ian Dyson

CBC PREMIER - Mowforth double keeps Bulls Head in title hunt, while Ecclesfield pip Oak  - Alan Mowforth (pictured right) scored Bulls Head's first and last goal as they narrowly beat Redmires to stay in the title hunt, while a late Gavin Hunter strike sees Ecclesfield Players Lounge pip Pitsmoor Royal Oak.

Bulls Head knew nothing less than a win would keep them in the CBC title race, but it was visitors Redmires that had a half time lead thanks to a Hegel Noubissie strike. Bull levelled soon after the break though when James Kirkham was penalised for handball in the area and Alan Mowforth scored from the spot and they got their noses in front when Joe Tiffin’s ball allowed Nick Ash to score, but it was then Redmires turn to be awarded a penalty and Jon Wall scored from the spot at the second attempt.

With the Bull keeper Matt Coates the busier of the two keepers it looked like their title dream would be over, but he wouldn’t be beaten and his work was rewarded when Mowforth grabbed Bulls Head’s winner from the edge of the area to leave Bulls Head just five points behind the leaders with two games to go.

The day’s other CBC Premier game saw Ecclesfield Players Lounge just pip relegation haunted Pitsmoor Royal Oak 3-2. Ryan Keeney released Craig Senior for him to round the keeper and score his twentyfirst of the season and soon after a Joe Knight cross saw Senior score number twenty two. Senior missed a great chance for his hat-trick before the break and after half time it looked as if Ecclesfield would pay for the miss when first Andy Dawson beat three defenders to score Pitsmoor’s first, before they levelled when Callum Hawley set up Stacy Sharif for a simple tap-in. Ecclesfield weren’t to be denied though and when the keeper found Paul Bashworth’s shot too hot to handle, Gavin Hunter picked up the pieces to win it.

DIV 1 - Belcher double helps The Park up to second, while Colley end their long winless run - A Jordan Belcher double was the backbone of The Park's victory at Aston Swallownest that saw them climb up to second in the Division One table, while Colley beat Old Blue Ball to end their ten match winless run.

After a run of six draws in seven games, The Park got back to winning ways with two wins in four days and are now up to second in the Division One table. After ending leaders Woodhouse Angel’s unbeaten home record they followed it up with a 4-0 victory at Aston Swallownest. Jordan Belcher (pictured left) gave The Park a first half lead and he doubled it after the break. Aston’s cause wasn’t helped by injuries and after good work by Mark Townsend, Ali Mitchell made it three before Townsend completed the scoring with a long range effort.

Bottom club Colley ended their ten match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Old Blue Ball to give them a chance to catch the two teams directly above them. Joe Zipfel hooked the first over his shoulder after just ten minutes and five minutes later a cross to the back post was poked home by Dan Green.

DIV 2 - Walker treble helps Cobden get a View from the top, as rivals faulter - Division Two has its third new leaders in as many weeks as a Mike Walker hat-trick helped Cobden View to a 6-0 victory at Chapeltown RBL and the top of the table. Dan Skidmore opened the scoring when he sent the keeper the wrong way after Cobden were awarded a penalty and Walker hit his first to give Cobden a two goal half time lead. Jordan Jones almost made it three when his shot came back off the bar, but he then supplied a perfect free kick for Dave Hunt to head home via the crossbar and keeper. Walker then had a simple tap-in for his second and he completed his hat-trick when he headed home a Hunt corner. Man of the match Jones then completed the scoring with a thirty yard scorcher.

Previous leaders Loxley lost top spot after they were on the receiving end of a six goal blast by Miners Arms. Jake Grimstone, Dan Saif and Paul Randall put Miners three up after just fifteen minutes and although Tim Pitt pulled one back from the penalty spot, man of the match Joe Kangley restored Miners three goal advantage before the break. Pitt scored a second penalty after the break, but Dan Saif and an own goal completed the rout.

Another of the former leaders, Anston Athletic also suffered defeat when they lost 2-1 at home to Fox & Hounds. Things looked good for Anston when Tom Gabbitas put them in front, but Fox levelled before the break when left back Adam Chambers found the net. The second half was a tight affair with both sides having chances, but it was Fox that snatched the points when right back Ian Rumley proved he wasn’t going to be outdone by hitting the winner. Another promotion hopeful, Brinsworth Whitehill, also dropped points when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Phoenix. Mickey Hare and a Liam Favell double scored for Brinsworth, while Brad Spencer also scored two for Phoenix along with one for Dan Commander.

18-Apr - DIV 1 - The Park clip Angel's wings - Thanks to a Calvin Thomas goal, The Park beat the leaders Woodhouse Angel to leap into one of the automatic promotion places. The goal came in the first half when Adam Battle headed the ball for Thomas to strike. Aston Swallownest's revival continued as David Sills scored twice in a 4-1 win at Colley. Sam Llewellyn and Billy Evans scored Aston's others, while Joe Zipfel netted Colley's goal before half time.

DIV 2 - Loxley go top, but Norton and Brinsworth stay in the hunt - Mick Smith and Tom Storey goals gave Loxley a 2-1 victory over Phoenix to take them to the top of the table. Phoenix gave it a real go though and Dan Commander's goal made sure that it was a tense finish for Loxley. Up to second is Norton Oaks after their 4-1 at Sharrow Vale. Rich Gilham and Billy Ireland headers put Oaks two up before Tom Wray squared the ball for John Materson to pull one back for Vale, but Oak made it safe in the second half with another from Gilham and one from Jamie Marshall. A Lee Hill double and one each for Joe McGuiness, Steve Hopewell and Liam Favell gave Brinsworth Whitehill a five goal lead before David Mitchell and George Rudd pulled two back for Junior Blades. That win keeps Brinsworth in the title race and just three points separates the top five..

16-Apr - DIV 1 - It's stalemate for Oughtibridge and The Park, but joy for Angel - Both Oughtibridge Village and The Park missed the chance to leap into the automatic promotion places when they produced a goalless draw with each other. Oughtibridge's chances were hampered even before the kick off when keeper Adnett had to be replaced by central defender Buckley before the kick-off. After Jordan Hauge and Adam Wood had gone close for Oughtibridge, Buckley made a great save from Mark Townsend. Both sides had good chances after the break, but good goalkeeping and wayward finishing kept the game goalless. That result means that Woodhouse Angel cannot finish any lower that third and are therefore promoted.

14-Apr - CBC PREMIER - Bull leave it late to stay in title race, but Service lose out - Reigning champions Civil Service’s hopes of retaining their CBC Premier title disappeared altogether as Stannington Village took another major step towards taking it off them by holding Service to a draw. After a tight start it was Stannington that took the lead when Joe Barker crossed and skipper Lee Johnstone brought the ball down before playing it into the path of Dan Green for him to score. Service responded and level before half time when Chris Fowler crossed to his brother Danny Fowler and he celebrated his first start for a year due to injury by hitting the equaliser.

The second half saw Service, with Ben Brown running midfield almost single-handedly and Danny Fowler running himself into the ground, have just the better of things, but they couldn’t get the goal they needed to keep their title hopes alive and with Stannington always dangerous, both keepers needed to make saves. In the end Stannington held on to the point that means they need just a single point from their last two games.

The only team that can now stop Stannington winning the title is second place Bulls Head and after being two down against The Vine with little more than ten minutes remaining, their chances looked to have also gone, but four goals in the last ten minutes saw Bulls Head win it to stay in the title race. A Chris Shirtcliffe long throw in the first half was met by Dan Simpson for him to score his first goal for the club and when Rikki Davidson tapped the rebound home after the keeper could only parry Ricky Gregory’s shot, Bulls title chances looked to have gone, but when man of the match Ali Berry crossed for David Stacey to hit Bulls first their was no stopping them.

Tom Corker levelled with a real rasper and a Berry long throw was headed home by Kerry Dixon to give Bull the lead. Bulls Head clinched the points when another Berry long throw was headed home by Lee Smith and although their title chances are still dependent on them winning their last three and Stannington losing both their last two, they will continue to push Stannington all the way. The only downside in the victory was an injury to John Ward.

Stocksbridge Park Steels stayed in the hunt for the Runners-up spot with victory at Southey Social. Phil Cookson (left) crossed for Joe Cloves to put Steels ahead and when Adam Todd hit the bar, Richard Gill headed the rebound into the empty net to double, but Southey roared back and after Danny Lindley had reduced the arrears, Craig Wild hit a terrific strike to level. Just before half time though, Todd put Phil Cookson in to restore Steels lead and after many missed chances in the second half Todd clinched the points for Steels with a shot into the bottom corner.

Redmires also stayed in the hunt for the Runners-up spot with victory over Handsworth Turf. Jon Wall put Redmires in front after half an hour and had it not been for an inspired performance by Turf keeper Jamie King, Redmires would have been out of sight. Turf held on though and levelled when, under pressure from Ben Shackshaft, Dave Knaggs sliced the ball into his own net. After the break, Turf’s Andy Stevens hit the post direct from a corner and Tom Smith, Jimmy Hughes and Shackshaft all went close for Turf, but it was Redmires that snatched the points when Mikey Taylor’s shot went in off the post.

DIV 1 - Sill-y season hit s Handsworth, but Villa fail to take advantage - A David Sills (right) treble saw Aston Swallownest stun second place Handsworth Old Boys, but Hemsworth Villa had to settle for a point at Old Blue Ball. Ranch kept their good run going with a draw against Colley.

The Division One promotion race was blown wide open as David Sills hit a hat-trick to help Aston Swallownest end their eleven match run without a win by beating second place Handsworth Old Boys. A Ross Edwards free kick was met by Sills to head his side into a half time lead and although Jamie Moore briefly levelled for Handsworth, another Edwards free kick saw Sills score his second to restore Aston’s lead. Edwards was again involved with Sills third when his cross was neatly dummied by Nathan Warren for Sills to smash home. Edwards almost capped his performance with a goal when he hit the bar, but it didn’t matter as Aston comfortably held on.

Hemsworth Villa failed to take full advantage though and they had to settle for a point at Old Blue Ball. Villa should have taken the lead when Alex Yule set up Mark Hopkinson, but he missed the ball completely. When Hopkinson returned the favour to Yule, Yule showed him how to finish to put Villa in front (left) and Villa almost doubled it when Hopkinson went closer than he did the first time when he crashed the ball against the bar. Ball still had outside promotion hopes of their own and with Liam Ryan a rock at the centre of their defence, they levelled when Callum Chambers was brought down in the area and he picked himself up to score from the spot. After the break both Andy Hibberd and Lee Weeber ballooned good chances over the bar and Ball almost won it when Christian Rowe’s shot went just over.

Ranch kept their good run going with a draw against Colley. Breon Fogarty gave Ranch a half time lead when his corner gained some wind assistance to go straight in, but if that was lucky there was even more luck about Colley’s equaliser after the break as Carl Pearce’s clearance hit Daniel Ferguson and rebounded into the net. Joe Zipfel then produced a great solo run and finish to put Colley in front, but just like they have done so many times recently, Ranch kept plugging away and grabbed a share of the points when Tom Hartley headed home.

DIV 2 - Loxley hit back to stay on course for the title, and Cobden go level at the top, but Oaks & Brinsworth lose ground - Loxley became firm favourites to land the Division Two title when they came from behind to beat Players Lounge Athletic 5-1. Players Lounge were looking for a victory that would help their own promotion bid and when Alex Evison combined with Danny Clinton to give them the lead it was looking good, but just before the break, Richard Dale, skippering the side in Tim Pitt’s absence, burst through to level for Loxley. After the break the normally reliable Clinton missed two good chances and when John Rhodes put Loxley ahead, it seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors. With Steve Mayfield now keeping the prolific Clinton quiet, Tom Storey added a third for Loxley and Mick Smith a fourth, before Smith then set up Josh Delaney to score their fifth.

Still above Loxley at the moment is Cobden View after a Dan Skidmore double beat Junior Blades. Jamie Davies’s first half run and cross was headed home by Skidmore and after the break Jordan Jones crossed for Skidmore to head his second and put Cobden level on points with leaders Anston Athletic.

Norton Oaks and Brinsworth Whitehill both lost ground though when they could only draw with each other. Mark Turton spun in the box to put Norton ahead, but when their defence on the ball too long Lee Hill nipped in to level for Brinsworth before half time. After the break it was Brinsworth’s turn to go in front with a Liam Favell strike, but they had to settle for just a point when Andy Dawson crossed for Josh Stafford to equalise for Norton.

Crookes & District kept their good run going as a Rob Acheson double helped them come from behind to beat Chapeltown RBL 5-2. Sam Walch gave Chapeltown an early lead, but they didn’t hold onto it for long, with Matt Cowen levelling for Crookes. Lee Wharton then put Crookes ahead and Acheson netted his first before half time. Chapeltown keeper dave Adams was doing his best to keep Crookes at bay, but ten minutes into the second half  Acheson added his second and although Webster grabbed a second for Chapeltown, Crookes with Greg McLennan outstanding, never looked like losing their lead and Chris Cottyn completed their win when he headed home their fifth.

Fox & Hounds as good as ended Phoenix's promotion hopes with a 3-0 victory over them. Lee Roome netted his eighth goal in seven games to give Fox the lead and after Russ Barker doubled their lead, Lewis Turton completed the scoring.

11 Apr - Bradwell Skips call it a day - Injuries have meant that Bradwell Skips have played for much of the season with a depleted squad, but after suffering two further injuries in tonight's game at Ranch, they have indicated that they would be unable to complete their season and have reluctantly withdrawn from the League. All results, points etc have been withdrawn from the records

CBC PREMIER - Service slip leaves title hanging by a thread - A Mark Woodcock penalty saw Stocksbridge Park Steels beat reigning champions Civil Service and Stannington now need to just draw with Service next Sunday to take the title from them. A sluggish start saw Service fall behind when a good run and cross by Jack Outhwaite was met by a good header from Adam Todd. That spurred Service into life and after Andy Bath had hit the bar he then hit the equaliser. After the break, Service continued to push for the winner they needed, but Steels always looked dangerous on the break and one such break was only stopped by a Ben Sanderson foul on Outhwaite and Mark Woodcock fired home the penalty to give Steels victory and leave Service needing to beat Stannington twice and win both their other games and hope that Stannington drop points when they meet Bulls Head.

DIV 1 - Matt finish keeps The Park at bay, while Chambers double keeps Ball in the hunt  - The Park had to settle for their fifth draw in six games as Handsworth Old Boys' veteran striker Matt Hodgett (right) grabbed a second half equaliser to keep Handsworth six points clear of the visitors. Tony Gurnhill's run and cross from the left was met by Mark Townsend to give The Park a half time lead, but Handsworth claimed the vital draw that keeps The Park at bay with Hodgett's second half goal.

A Callum Chambers double helped Old Blue Ball to victory at Niagara to stay on the fringe of the promotion race. John Morgan and Kurt Crapper also netted for Ball to give them a 4-0 victory and end their six match winless run.

DIV 2 - Loxley on right Rhodes for the title, while a double McGuiness keeps Brinsworth in touch - A John Rhodes treble helped Loxley to victory over Chapeltown RBL to make them new favourites for the title. Anthony Marshall and Steve Mayfield bagged Loxley's other in a 5-0 win. A Joe McGuiness double helped Brinsworth Whitehill to a 4-1 victory over Fox & Hounds. Micheal Hare and Jed McGowan added two more before Lee Roome grabbed a consolation for Fox.

9 Apr DIV 2 - Oaks lose out to Crookes - A Gareth Morley goal saw Norton Oaks's promotion bid suffer a setback at Crookes & District. It came in the first half when he scrambled the ball home off a defender following a corner.

31 Mar - MACRON CUP - Heads it's Ecclesfield through to Bramall Lane - First half headed goals by Danny Turner (left) and Joe Knight set Ecclesfield Players Lounge on the way to victory over Handsworth Old Boys and a second visit to Bramall Lane, where they will face either Stannington Village or Woodhouse Angel.

CBC Premier and former holders Ecclesfield Players Lounge were looking to secure a second visit to Bramall Lane for the Macron Cup Final when they met Division One promotion chasers Handsworth Old Boys in the bright sunshine at the HSBC Sports Ground, Dore.

After a slow start when both teams seemed to be sizing each other up, it was Handsworth that were the first to force a corner. It was easily cleared by the Ecclesfield defence and they quickly forced a corner of their own. Handsworth keeper James Abramski tipped that one away for another corner and this time Ryan Keeney’s corner was met at the far post by Ecclesfield central defender Danny Turner and he planted his header into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.

Boosted by that Ecclesfield went close to a second when Abramski saved from Craig Senior after he was put through, and only the offside flag saved Handsworth when Senior volleyed home Joe Knight’s cross. Gav Hunter then scooped a loose ball wide and put another effort just over the bar. Handsworth responded by finding Dalton Kershaw down the right and his cross towards Mario Esposito was cut out just in time by Turner.

Jack Hall then fired just wide for Handsworth and another dangerous Kershaw cross was turned away by Dale Hirst, but just when Handsworth thought they had got back into the game, just before half time, they found themselves two down. Matt Clark’s long throw was headed on by Senior and Joe Knight nipped between two defenders to plant his header past Abramski (pictured right).

Handsworth started the second half by changing their shape and throwing another man forward and with skipper Shane Rollinson driving them forward it almost brought an immediate reward when Esposito turned his defender, but his cross just eluded everyone and went wide. Chris James then hit a snap-shot wide, but Ecclesfield looked dangerous on the break and skipper Mark Groves shot just over.

Jon Packman and Kershaw combined for Kershaw to cross for Rollinson but his shot brought a good save from Ecclesfield keeper Chris Greenwood. Greenwood was soon in action again when Kershaw was felled on the edge of the area. The quick free kick fell to Kane Brown but Greenwood sprang off his line to block the shot with his legs. Handsworth continued to press and a Joe Walker cross was headed just wide by Kershaw.

Handsworth pushed even more men forward in search of a goal and it was almost inevitable that Ecclesfield would take advantage of the gaps at the back. Groves broke up a Handsworth attack and played a quick pass into the Handsworth half and Gav Hunter raced through unchallenged to knock the ball past the onrushing Abramski before walking the ball into the empty net to ensure Ecclesfield’s return to Bramall Lane. More action from the game is shown below.

TEAMS

ECCLESFIELD PLAYERS LOUNGE

Chris Greenwood, Dale Hirst, Matt Clark, Mark Groves (C), Danny Turner, Ryan Keeney, Joe Knight, Mitchell Robinson, Craig Senior, Gavin Hunter, Keiron Webb Subs: Danny Hope, Danny Touhey, Tom Bartholomew, Scott Touhey, Paul Bashforth

HANDSWORTH OLD BOYS

James Abramski, Liam Shipston, Alex Hull, Jack Hall, Scott Abramski, Trevor Dolling, Dalton Kershaw, Shane Rollinson (C), Mario Esposito, Chris James, Joe Walker Subs: Ross Coates, Kane Brown, Jon Packman, Joe Totty, Danny Franklin

REFEREE: Adam Burgess

ASSISTANT REFEREES: Stuart Hague, Arron Mallender

CBC PREMIER - Village go ten points clear, while Redmires drive Oak up the Wall - Skipper Lee Johnstone set Stannington Village on the way to victory over Pitsmoor Royal Oak to go ten points clear at the top of he CBC Premier. Johnstone’s free kick looked more like a cross but it eluded everyone before finding the net to give Village a first half lead, but Oak almost levelled when Leon Stocks had a good chance. The second half started with Oak doing the pressing and Stocks shot just wide, but Village were always dangerous on the break and when Joe Barker laid the ball into the path of Dean Jepson he doubled their lead.

Redmires guaranteed their place in the top flight as two Jon Wall goals set them on their way to victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels. Both Wall’s goals were with free kicks, but Steels pulled one back before half time when Adam Todd headed home a Kev Davies cross. That was as close as they got though as after the break Redmires restored their two goal lead when Matt Brown finished off a five man move. Brown then turned provider when his cross was headed home by Nick Hickson to make the final score 4-1.

DIV 1 - Wood you believe it - Angel are beaten! The Park back on track -

Adam Wood scored one and made one as Oughtibridge Village ended Division One leaders Woodhouse Angel's unbeaten record. Angel had to go into the game understrength and Oughtibridge soon took advantage when Wood headed home after Sean Lee’s shot had cannoned off the bar. Man of the match Justin Westoby added number two with a smart turn and finish. Wood then turned provider for Lee to score Village’s third and Westoby nearly added a fourth only for his shot to come back off the post.

After a run of four successive draws a Mark Townsend strike saw The Park get back to winning ways by beating promotion rivals Hemsworth Villa. Lee Webber almost gave Villa the lead only to have his shot cleared off the line and it was Thee Park that took the lead when Townsend was brought down in the area and David Nash stepped up to score from the spot (pictured left). After the break Webber did find the net to put Villa level and he almost added a second. Villa looked the more likely winners and Russ Westby had a header ruled out for offside, but the points went The Park’s way when Townsend scored from an acute angle. More action from the game is shown below.

Ranch are off the bottom after their good form continued with veteran Ian Cooper sealing their victory over Aston Swallownest. Oliver Whittaker set up Ben Hartley for Ranch’s opener before Ben’s brother Tom laid on a second for Andy Longmore. After the break Tom Hartley added a third and Chris Hall a fourth before Cooper headed home their fifth. Two brothers also scored in Niagara’s 3-2 victory at Colley. Tom Staniforth headed Niagara in front before Scott Wesney set up Matt Edwards for their second. Tom’s brother Simon added a third before the break and he almost added a fourth when he rattled the bar. Colley hit back after the break though and Josh Connor pulled one back before Neil Whitworth headed their second. They then threw everything at Niagara, but couldn’t find another way through.

DIV 2 - Anston hold on at Phoenix, while Cobden View Skid to victory and Norton scrape home -

Tom Gabbitas's goal proved to be the winner as Division Two leaders Anston Athletic ended Phoenix’s four match winning streak. Phoenix had much of the play in the first half and only John Thompson’s goal line clearance kept it goalless at the break. James Saxelby gave Anston the lead soon after the break before man of the match Tom Gabbitas volleyed a second and only the Phoenix keeper stopped his side falling further behind. Kieran Cull scored to put Phoenix back in the game and only an Adam Booth save stopped them grabbing a point.

Second place Cobden View were pushed even harder and it needed a Dan Skidmore strike for them to come from behind to beat Crookes & District. Crookes took lead with a Mike Dobson strike and although Skidmore set up Mike Walker for an equaliser, Crookes were back in front before the break with a second Dobson goal. Rob Acheson almost scored a third for Crookes, but it was Cobden that scored next when Jordan Jones headed home Mark Hoyle’s corner before Jones crossed for Skidmore to head their winner.

Third place Norton Oaks also had a close call before Rich Gilham’s second of the game gave them a 3-2 victory over Chapeltown RBL. Jamie Marshall fired Oaks in front and it looked all over when Gilham doubled it before half time, but Chapeltown roared back and pulled one back with a Dan Hiner free kick that would have beaten any keeper. Driven on by their man of the match Matt Hall, Chapeltown levelled with a Liam Gibson goal, but just when it looked as if they would stall Oaks’ promotion push, Gilham popped up to with the winner.

A John Rhodes double helped Loxley to a 6-0 victory at Sharrow Vale and up to fourth in the table. Steve Mayfield opened the scoring and Carl Taylor and a Rhodes header made it three by the interval. Man of the match Neil Coyle kept Loxley going and after Rhodes had added his second, Dominic Ambler converted Craig Crownshaw’s cross with a complete miss-kick that left the keeper bamboozled, before Mayfield completed the scoring with his second.

Players Lounge Athletic came from behind to keep their promotion bid going with a narrow win over Fox & Hounds. Chris Hunt gave Fox a half time lead, but after the break Lounge levelled when Anthony Holmes’ shot looped over the keeper. Scotty Lees gave Lounge the lead from the edge of the area and Evison doubled it when he burst through before delicately chipping over the keeper. Gary West pulled one back for Fox, but Lounge held on for their fourth win in their last five games.

Mark Barraclough took his tally to eight in his last four games with a hat-trick to help Miners Arms to a 5-2 victory at Junior Blades. Miners took a half time lead when Kyle Wright was adjudged to have handled in the area and Joe Kangley scored from the spot, but after the break another penalty, this time for the Blades saw Danny Law level. Barraclough struck his first to put Miners back in front, only for George Rudd to drag the Blades level a second time and had they taken more of the chances they created they may well have won it, but there was no way back for the Blades after both Barraclough and Kangley netted their second and Barraclough completed the scoring with his hat-trick goal.

4 Apr DIV 1 - Villa stay on course, while Ball is held at Ranch - A Russ Westby (left) free kick clinched victory for Hemsworth Villa at Colley to move into the top three. Lee Webber gave Villa the lead, but Colley levelled when Adam White's shot came back off and post and Chris Roberts tapped the ball home. Pete Burgin restored Villa's lead and Westby's terrific free kick clinched the points for the visitors.

Old Blue Ball's outside promotion hopes disappeared when Adam Hadfield's last minute header earned Ranch a point.  Callum Chambers gave Ball the lead and although Carl Pearce nipped between two defenders to level for Ranch, Ball led at half time after they were awarded a penalty and Chambers scored his second from the spot. A tight second half saw Ranch's stand-in keeper Richard Berry make a terrific save to keep them in the game and his work was rewarded in the final minute when Tom Hartley's floated free kick was headed home by Hadfield.

DIV 2 - Ireland double lifts Norton Oaks, while Loxley stay on right Rhodes and Phoenix give another Command performance - Two Billy Ireland (right) goals saw Norton Oaks come from behind to win at Players Lounge Athletic and into the top three. Alex Evison tapped home after a Danny Clinton shot was parried to give Lounge the lead, but Ireland levelled for Oaks with another tap-in. Coel Fulton's energy in midfield was causing Lounge problems and after an exchange of passes gave him space on the edge of the area he fired Oaks into a half time lead. The second half was dominated by Oaks and Rich Gillam pulled the ball back for Ireland to score his second, before Gilham lashed into the top corner for Oaks's fourth.

 A Johnny Rhodes double saw Loxley home against title rivals Cobden View. Steve Mayfield gave Loxley the lead before Rhodes grabbed his first, but after the break Mark Hoyle headed Cobden back into the game. Rhodes grabbed his second to keep Loxley in charge and although Hoyle raced onto a long ball to score a second for Cobden, Loxley deservedly held on for a crucial victory. Phoenix stayed in touch as Dan Commander scored twice in their victory at Chapeltown RBL Jack Slaughter gave Phoenix the lead before Commander's double and although Chapeltown's stand-in keeper Dave Adams did his best to keep the score down, he couldn't stop Matt Jebson adding a fourth.