23 Dec 2013 - Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year to everyone - The League would like to wish all players, officials, referees and supporters the very best for a wonderful Xmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. Norton Oaks (left) got themselves into the Xmas spirit early when they held their festive get together at Riley's.

22 Dec 2013 - CBC PREM - The Vine continues to climb, but Bulls Head slowed down - Despite going down to ten men, third place The Vine's climb into the title race continued with victory a 3-2 victory at Ecclesfield Players Lounge. The Vine took the lead when Matt Ellis forced a good save by the Ecclesfield keeper, but the ball rebounded into the path of Matt Ellis and he calmly stroked the ball home. Ecclesfield got back into it with a bizarre own goal when a long throw took a deflection off a Vine defender and into the net. After Ellis had hit a post, the game seemed to swing Ecclesfield's way when Shaun Blythe was given his marching orders, but it was The Vine that struck next with Liam Allott giving them a half time lead and it might have been more had Ellis not had one cleared off the line.

Ecclesfield gave it everything after the break and had three efforts cleared off the line and one disallowed, but with Simon Clarke outstanding as he marshalled his defence, The Vine held firm and hit a killer third on the break when Rikki Davidson (right) raced onto a through ball before finding the bottom corner. Ecclesfield continued to try to get back into it and they did eventually get a second, but it was too late as it turned out to be the last kick of the game. The victory sees The Vine now just three points behind leaders Civil Service and with a game in hand.

Fourth place Bulls Head didn't do as well as two Dave Knaggs (left) goals for Redmires the clubs share the points. Knaggs raced onto a long ball to give Redmires a half time lead, but Bulls Head levelled after the break when Nick Ash was first to a rebound off the Redmires' keeper. Bulls Head then went in front when a move was blocked on the edge of the area and the ball fell kindly to Phillip Jenkins to strike the ball home and they were denied by the woodwork three times as they looked to kill their visitors off. Redmires held firm though and grabbed a share of the spoils when Jon Wall slid the ball in for Knaggs to get his second with a delicate chip over the keeper.

After four consecutive league defeats, an Adam Todd (right) free kick set Stocksbridge Park Steels on the road back to winning ways by completing the double over Handsworth Turf, 3-0. Steels went at their hosts right from the outset and Todd's twenty five yard stunner was no less than they deserved, but despite carving out two or three more great chances, that was all they had to show for their dominance at the break. Turf tried to get back into the game and both Jimmy Hughes and Carl Eaton had chances to level, but Steels deservedly extended their lead with John Beggs expert finish and they completed the win with a third from Mitchell Savage after good work by Beggs and Phil Cookson.

DIV 1 - Aspinall double keeps Norton on top, while Brinsworth celebrate with a McGuiness double and Mellor hits four to stop Ball - While two of their main rivals dropped points, a Robbie Aspinall (left) double helped Norton Oaks 'A' to a 4-2 victory over Anston Athletic to go two points clear at the top of Division One. Aspinall gave Norton the lead when he found himself one-on-one with the keeper and although Alex Mason headed an equaliser for Anston, Norton led at the break with a headed goal of their own by Billy Ireland. Bottom club Anston were giving their hosts a 'real run for their money' though and it wasn't until fifteen minutes remaining that another header from Sam Ireland finally gave Norton some breathing space. Aspinall grabbed his second at the near post to make Norton's lead even more comfortable, but Adam Smith grabbed a deserved second for Anston near the end.

Former leaders Players Lounge Athletic lost more ground as they crashed to their fourth defeat in five games, 5-2 at a Brinsworth Whitehill that maintained its perfect home record to go second in the table. It started well for Lounge as they took the lead with a well struck Brett Gardner free kick, but Brinsworth hit back to level with a Joe McGuiness strike before taking the lead with a Danny Willis goal. Lounge then had a chance to level when they were awarded a penalty, but Alex Evison missed from the spot, but he made up for it a few minutes later to send the side's in level at half time . There was only one team in it after the break though as Brinsworth tore into their visitors. Simon Dungworth marked his debut for them by putting Brinsworth back in front, before McGuiness hit his second to extend their lead and they finished Lounge off with a fifth from Mike Hare.

Title favourites Oughtibridge WM also let points slip as Ranch player/manager Carl Pearce (1st right) struck to earn his side a 1-1 draw. Although Oughtibridge's new signing Danny Clinton was denied a first touch goal by the Ranch keeper after just thirty seconds, both sides found further chances hard to come by in a goalless first half, but Oughtibridge were having the lion's share of possession and did take the lead after the break when Justin Westoby's cross was headed home by James Baker. Sean Lee and Strachan Sampson both had chances to extend it. Ranch kept their shape though and the introduction of Steve Batty (far right) proved to be a turning point and after twice going close they grabbed a share of the spoils when Pearce rose like a salmon to firmly plant his header past the Oughtibridge keeper.

With their ninth win in their last eleven games, Southey Social showed just how much they are one of the form teams as four John Mellor (left) strikes helped them to a 6-1 victory over an Old Blue Ball side they will meet in the Junior Sunday Cup quarter final in January. It started well for Ball when John Morgan's second minute corner was met at the back post by Marc Pearson to head home, but it took Southey just four minutes to level with a Chris Roberts strike. It stayed like that until half time and even after the break, with Southey keeper Andy Guest having to make three good saves to keep Ball at bay there was little sign of what was to come, but when his chances came, Mellor showed Ball how to finish with three in open play and one from the penalty spot after Danny Lindley had been brought down. Lindley scored a sixth with a cool lob over the Ball keeper, but the game had been a lot closer than the scoreline suggests and if Ball can keep tabs on Mellor in their January Cup tie it could go either way.

DIV 2 - Stalemate for top two, while Gillott & Andrews doubles keeps The Pheasant on track, and an Owen treble saves Steelers - The clash of Division Two's top two, Phoenix and leaders Hare & Hounds, turned into a real stalemate and ended goalless. The nearest either side came was in the first half when Hounds hit the bar, and although Joe Troughton and Drew Pearson almost nicked it for Hounds late on, both sides missed chances to have won it.

Both player/manager Lee Gillott and striker Shane Andrews scored twice as title favourites The Pheasant replaced Crookes & District in third place by coming from three goals down to beat them 5-3. Crookes started like 'a house on fire' as Chris Cottyn, Rob Acheson and Mike Dobson strikes saw them race into a three goal lead. It was a sensational start against what was the League's meanest defence, but The Pheasant clawed themselves back into the game when a Victor Parrott cross was finished off by Shane Andrews. Man of the match Gillott then showed his players what to do by scoring his side's second when he met Bingley's long throw with a header that had too much power for the Crookes keeper, before grabbing his second to send the team's in level at the break. The Pheasant took the lead in the second half when Parrott fed Lewis Fothergill and Fothergill then turned provider for Andrews to hit his second. Crookes looked to have a lifeline back into it when they were awarded a penalty as the game went into added time, but Cottyn saw his spot kick superbly saved by Pheasant keeper Stephen Mitchell.

Steelers are now breathing down Crookes's necks after a Blake Owen (right) hat-trick rescued a point for for them at FC Spartak. Owen headed home to give Steelers the lead, but two Jan Horvath strikes and one from Roman Ziga had Spartak 3-1 in front in the second half. Owen netted his second header to give Steelers a chance and he completed his hat-trick with a last gasp penalty to earn his side a point. Colley brought their run of three consecutive defeats to an end with a 2-0 victory at Sharrow Vale. Josh Connor found the bottom left hand corner of the net to set Colley on the way and Faisal Miladi headed a corner home to double their lead before half time. Colley continued to create and miss a glut of chances, but Sharrow battled bravely on and missed some chances of their own.

A Karl Harris double helped Pen Nook come from behind to record a second successive victory, 5-1 at Norton Oaks 'B'. The home side took the lead when Nick Owen crossed for James Lockhart to head home, but Nook levelled when Harris received the ball in the area before turning and shooting into the top corner. Joe Kangley then put Nook in front when he met Danny Saif's low cross. Norton tried to respond and only a terrific save by Nook keeper Paul Clarke stopped them from equalising, but after Saif took the ball on his chest before turning to score Nook's third, Norton's defence crumbled and Harris scored his second before Jake Grimstone completed the scoring.

TAYLOR&EMMET SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP - Old Blue Ball to face Southey Social, while The Pheasant travel to Wyvern - The Quarter Final Draw means we will have at least one semi finalist as Old Blue Ball will face Southey Social, while The Pheasant travel to Sunday Imperial Division One leaders Wyvern.

19 Dec 2013 - January fixtures & referees now listed - The fixtures and referees for January are now listed in Latest Fixtures. Clubs should confirm the games with the referees and opponents immediately.

8 Dec 2013 - CBC PREM - The Vine get Allot against The Park, while Redmires win at last - Liam Allott scored two and made two as The Vine put a big dent in The Park's title hopes by inflicting a 7-1 defeat on them - their heaviest defeat for four years. Rikki Davidson crossed for Danny Seaman to head The Vine into the lead and Davidson pounced on a loose ball to double his side’s lead before the break. The second half saw Craig Woolley set Liam Allott up for The Vine’s third and although Adi Tomlin reduced the arrears when he was first to the ball after Mark Townsend’s shot came back off the bar, there was no stopping The Vine and Seaman scored his second from an Allott cross. Allott was again the provider for Matt Ellis to net his first and after Allott netted his second Ellis grabbed his second to complete the scoring.

Woodhouse Angel’s title bid also came off the rails as Chris Peel scored twice in a 5-1 defeat by Bulls Head. Daniel Bonnick opened the scoring with a swooping header and Nick Ash also headed Bulls’ second when he was first to the ball after Peel’s shot rebounded off the keeper. After the break Peel netted his first with a wonder volley and although Matt Parkes set up Lee Marshall to pull one back for for Angel, Peel smashed home his second and Greg Broomhead crossed for Dave Stacey to get Bulls fifth with a diving header to thwart any thoughts of a comeback.

Leaders Stannington Village made no mistake though as two goal in two second half minutes gave them a 2-0 victory over a Stocksbridge Park Steels that finished with ten men. It wasn’t plain sailing though as Steels’ George Orrell squandered two good chances and Steels had their keeper dismissed while the game was still goalless. The goals came when Lee Johnstone’s cross was headed back by Dean Jepson for Sean Flynn to toe poke the ball home and the second came when Flynn’s cross was scrambled home by Jepson with a little help from a defender.

Civil Service stayed level on points with Stannington as man of the match Andy Bath (right) scored two in a 4-0 victory at Ecclesfield Players Lounge. After a goalless first half Service had the game won with three goals in the first ten minutes of the second half. Bath nipped in to open the scoring when Paul Bashforth’s header back to his keeper wasn’t strong enough and after Danny Wattam finished off the move of the match to double Service’s lead, Bath got onto the end of Paul Billard’s inch perfect pass to score his second. Wattam set up Stacy Shariff made it four near the end.

Mikey Taylor (left) scored twice as Redmires finally secured their first league win of the season at Handsworth Turf’s expense. Turf almost took the lead in the first minute when Ryan Foster almost connected with Ty Wilson’s cross and Kieran Hemming forced a good save out of the Redmires’ keeper, but Taylor showed them how to finish from Ben Palmer’s cross to give Redmires the lead and after that the score never looked in doubt. Dave Knaggs crossed for Joe Keighley to make it two , before Keighley returned the favour for Knaggs to hit Redmires’ third. Taylor then started a finished a move to make the final score 4-0.

DIV 1 - Dodd double sees off the leaders - Matt Dodd scored twice as Oughtibridge WM kept their perfect record in the league when they came from behind to complete the double over Division One leaders Players Lounge Athletic. Justin Westoby went close for Oughtibridge and Dodd hit the bar, but it was Lounge that took a first half lead with a David Ibbotson strike. Oughtibridge got themselves back into the game when Sean Lee set Dodd up to score his first and just like their first meeting a couple of weeks ago Dodd struck Oughtibridge’s winner from the penalty spot to put them just a point behind Lounge with three games in hand.

Brinsworth Whitehill are also just a point behind Lounge after they also had a 2-1 victory over Anston Athletic. Despite Scott Rushden’s first goal of the season for Anston it was Brinsworth that took the points with a goal from Lewis Watson and a real screamer from Reece Badger that was worthy of winning any game. Norton Oaks ‘A’ are just a further point behind after Robbie Aspinall scored his seventh goal of the season to give them victory at Aston Swallownest. Although Norton also hit the woodwork twice Aspinall’s seventy first minute strike turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Fox & Hounds also made up ground on the leaders with a 4-1 victory over Ranch. Harry ONeil hit his fifth league goal to put Fox in front, but it was cancelled out by Shannon Marshland. Richard Firth restored Fox’s lead with an expertly taken free kick and they extended their lead with a right foot bullet from Gary West, before ONeill finished of a terrific passing move to complete the scoring. Southey Social climbed out of the bottom three with a narrow 3-2 win over Loxley. John Mellor and Lee Wilson goals gave Southey a two goal half time lead and the game seemed over when James MacDonald struck their third in the second half, but Loxley pulled one back when Tom Rodgers headed home and they had the Southey defence on edge when James Swanton struck Loxley’s second. Stand-in keeper John Dento almost levelled it when he went up ield for a set piece in the final minute, but the Southey defence held on.

Old Blue Ball’s promotion hopes took a hit when two goals in the last three minutes gave Cobden View a 3-3 draw with them. Cobden View took the lead when Joe Taylor’s left wing cross flew over everyone into the net and although Cobden were threatening to add to it, a quick break by Ball say Callum Chambers equalise before half time. Ball seemed to have the points tied up when Tom Thornton and Matt Law strikes gave them a two goal lead with, but with just three minutes remaining Mike Walker was brought down in the area and Jamie Simpson scored his eleventh of the season from the penalty spot, and in the final minute Walker scrambled home the equaliser after the ball had hit the post.

DIV 2 - Hare & Hounds hold on to top spot as top four all win - Division Two leaders Hare & Hounds also looked to be on their way to a comfortable victory at Steelers, but in the end they were left clinging onto the three points. Hounds took the lead when Joe Troughton pressured a defender into turning the ball into his own net before Adam Caywood and George Rudd combined to allow Rob Hayes to slide in at the back post to give them a two goal half time lead. The second half saw Caywood produce a cheeky back heel to give Hounds a three goal lead, but Steelers hit back with goals from David Fox and Sam Wright to give the leaders a very uncomfortable finish to the game.

The three sides below them all had more comfortable wins though to keep the title race on the boil. Brad Hardy’s back header gave second place Phoenix the lead against Pen Nook and they made it two when Nicky Shaw finished off a good move. It was three before the break with a Nathan Darwent penalty and a Luke Slaughter header made it four before Karl Howden made it five with his first goal for eleven years after they were awarded a second penalty.

Rob Acheson was the hat-trick hero as third place Crookes & District won 4-0 at Chapeltown RBL. After giving Crookes an early lead, Acheson’s second had an element of luck about it when he deflected a Chris Cottyn shot past the keeper. He completed his hat-trick after the break with a shot that struck a defender on the way into the net before Mike Dobson completed the scoring when he jinked past two defenders before beating the keeper.

Fourth place The Pheasant started slowly and visitors Colley twice missed good chances to take the lead, but when The Pheasant’s Shane Andrews was given an opportunity he showed them how to finish to put his side ahead. Andrews quickly added a second before setting up his brother Carl for the home side’s third. Lewis Fothergill added a fourth before the break and Matt Turner half volleyed their fifth and Dylan Parrott their sixth before Faisal Miladi scored a consolation for Colley from the penalty spot.

Intake Old Boys put themselves back into the promotion race with a 5-0 victory at FC Spartak. Intake took the lead when Matt Hunter’s shot cannoned off the keeper onto John Reader’s knee and into the net, and Hunter was again the provider when Liam Parnell converted his cross. Hunter then poked home his side’s third after Spartak failed to clear and their fourth came when Dan Nelson transferred the ball from one foot to the other before firing the ball in off a post. Not to be outdone Ben Sargeant finished the scoring with a mazy run and shot that went in off both posts.

Norton Oaks ‘B’ ended their run of six games without a win with a 5-1 victory over a Sharrow Vale that had beaten them just two weeks earlier. Dom Jolly set Josh Stafford up for Norton’s first before Joe Beachell twice set Jamie Marshall (right) to add two more. Tom Wray pulled one back for Sharrow before half time, but after the break Jolly set up Ash Holland to score Norton’s fourth before Joe Lawson completed the scoring with a free kick after Marshall was brought down just outside the area.

5 Dec 2013 - Rudd Hares to the top of the scoring charts - Division Two leaders Hare & Hounds George Rudd (right) currently leads the twentytwo goalscoring charts with eleven, but just a goal behind him is Division One Cobden View's Jamie Simpson and a further goal behind him is Steelers Blake Owen and Crookes & District's Matt Cowen, both from Division Two. A further goal behind are the CBC Premier's top scorers, Stocksbridge Park Steels' Scott Birch and The Vine's Matt Ellis, and level with them is Division One Players Lounge Athletic's Danny Clinton and a second Steelers scorer, Kaiden Simpson. For the full list of each team's top scorers see the Leading Goalscorers in the RESULTS section.

4 Dec 2013 - MACRON CUP - Unlucky Southey get Birched as Steels hit back - Scott Birch scored a hat-trick as Stocksbridge Park Steels came from a goal down at the break to beat an unlucky Division One Southey Social. Southey's bad luck began before the game had even started when keeper Andy Guest suffered an injury during the warm-up and had to be replaced by Matt Hanwell, who had only come along to watch the game. Southey put that misfortune behind them to dominate the first half and Rob Womack deservedly volleyed them into the lead from the edge of the area after twenty minutes. Southey continued to push the home side back, but couldn't add to their tally. It was a completely different story after the break as Steels took control.

It started to go wrong for Southey when a disputed corner taken by Kev Davies was headed home by the unmarked Scott Birch to draw Steels level before a Mitchell Savage corner was headed home by Davies. Adam Todd crossed for Tom Cadzow to fire in a shot that was blocked on the line until Birch followed up to force the ball home and with the second half barely fifteen minutes old Birch completed his hat-trick with a trademark simple finish to make it 4-1. More bad luck came Southey's way when a long clearance by Steels keeper Stephen Marshall sent Todd clear and when Hanwell came to challenge him he slipped and suffered a suspected dislocated knee, leaving Todd with a simple tap-in for his one hundredth goal for the club. Hanwell was replaced by James MacDonald and he was beaten by Phil Cookson at the second attempt following a Birch free kick to make the final score 6-1, which didn't really reflect the effort made by the visitors. Stocksbridge will now face last season's finalists Ecclesfield Players Lounge for a semi final place on 15 Dec at Stocksbridge.

1 Dec 2013 - MACRON CUP - Redmires Knagged through and they are joined by The Park and Civil Service - Dave Knaggs (right) scored four and Jon Wall three as Redmires inflicted a first defeat of the season on Division One Oughtibridge WM to reach the semi finals for the first time in twenty years. Jon Wall’s early opener for Redmires was cancelled out when Callum Hawley’s cross was headed home by David Sheakey and although Dave Knaggs restored Redmires lead, Oughtibridge levelled a second time when Sean Lee flicked on for Tom Fletcher to strike from the edge of the area. The turning point came at the start of the second half when Oughtibridge’s Matt Dodds saw red and soon after Joe Appleyard conceded a penalty and the floodgates opened. Knaggs scored three more and Wall two, while Matt Garnett completed the scoring with Redmires’ eighth

They are joined by The Park, who won their all-CBC Premier clash with Handsworth Old Boys 3-1 to reach the semi finals for the second time in three seasons. Both teams struggled to make any headway in a goalless first half, but ten minutes after the break a long throw was met by the head of Mark Townsend to put The Park in front. Just two minutes later Ryan Cambell’s shot proved too hot for the Handsworth keeper to hold and Adi Tamlin turned the loose ball home. Handsworth were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty, but Chisanga Nshindano hit the bar with his spot kick and The Park took full advantage to increase their lead with a Callum Harrison (left) strike. Nshindano did find the net when Handsworth were awarded a second penalty, but it was too little too late.

 Winners of two seasons ago, Civil Service, also reached the semi finals for a fourth time in six seasons with a 4-2 victory at fellow CBC Premier The Vine. A quick throw in by Andy Bath allowed Ben Brown (right) to put Civil in front and their lead was doubled when Paul Billard met a Wes Bamford cross to score. Bamford was again the architect as brown netted his second to give Civil a three goal half time lead and they had the tie won soon after the break when Bath headed Gaz Griffiths free kick home. The Vine did their best to get back into the tie and Danny Seaman met Matt Ellis’s cross to pull one back and Liam Allott scored a second with a free kick, but Civil made sure there was no further damage to their lead.

CBC PREM - Stannington back on top, while Villa grab a point - In the league, Stannington Village came from behind to beat Ecclesfield Players Lounge 2-1 and return to the top of the CBC Premier. With Gavin Hunter causing Stannington all kinds of problems it was Ecclesfield that took a first half lead when leading scorer Craig Senior celebrated his two hundredth appearance for the club by scoring his two hundred and twenty eighth goal, but Stannington got just the boost they needed at the start of the second half when Bill Green’s cross was only half cleared and John Saville stabbed the ball home. Stannington kept up the pressure and won it when Lee Johnstone (left) fired the ball home.

Hemsworth Villa's revival continued as a last minute Pete Burgin penalty saw them take a point at a Handsworth Turf just one place above them. Turf took the lead when Ryan Taff outpaced the Villa defence to score and they doubled it when Joe France’s long throw was flicked on by Carl Bowler to Carl Eaton who in turn laid it off for Perry Jackson to score. Villa keeper James Dean (right) then made two terrific saves from Danny Leesley to keep his side in the game and his side was handed a lifeline when Pete Burgin was felled in the area and although skipper Ricky Parsisson’s weak spot kick was saved by the keeper Parsisson was able to touch home the rebound.

Turf continued to dominate the game in the second half and restored their two goal lead when Taff netted his second from Ben Shackshaft’s cross, but Villa slowly began to get themselves back into the game and reduced the arrears when Pete Burgin got to the by-line and crossed for Sam Britton to head home. Dean then made another save at the feet of Leesley before Tom Staniforth put a chance to level over the bar. Villa manager gambled by playing three at the back and pushing Jack House up front and the gamble paid off in the final minute when House was brought down in the area and referee Steve Clarkson pointed to the spot again. Burgin took the responsibility this time and fired the ball into the top corner to make it 3-3 and keep Villa in touch with the sides above them. Action from the game is below, the last photo shows the point saving penalty:

DIV 1 - Clinton double sees Lounge extend lead at the top, while Fox & Hounds crash to first defeat - A Danny Clinton double saw Players Lounge Athletic take the points in a seven goal thriller at Aston Swallownest and extend their lead at the top of Division One to four points. Skipper Brett Gardner’s free kick was headed home by Antony Holmes and it was Gardner again that sent Johnny Conley racing down the wing before cutting inside to double their lead. Aston hit back though and after David Sills had pulled one back, Danny Wilcox marked his debut with an equaliser, but Lounge went back in front before the interval when Clinton used his pace to beat a defender to score his first. After the break another clinical finish by Clinton restored Lounge’s two goal lead and although Sam Thorpe netted a third for Aston, Lounge managed to see the game out. Action from the game is below:

Fox & Hounds missed their chance to climb into the top three when they crashed to their first defeat of the season at Southey Social. Fox were left doubly deflated as the game’s only goal appeared to come off the hand of Southey striker John Mellor, but the referee ruled otherwise and third from bottom Southey closed up on the teams just above them.

Brinsworth Whitehill took third place instead when a Ross Johnson strike gave them a narrow victory over Loxley. Nicky Hare gave Brinsworth a half time lead before Johnson netted their second in the second half. Loxley’s Steve Mayfield showed great strength to pull one back for Loxley and they almost snatched a point when they hit the bar, but Brinsworth held on.

Ranch continued their good form with a 2-0 victory over Cobden View. Ben Hartley (right) found his brother Tom before making a late run into the box to receive the ball back from him to give Ranch the lead and their victory was confirmed when Chris Hall’s long throw was headed on by Carl Pearce for Shannon Marshland to volley the ball home

DIV 2 - Leaders held as Oaks hit back, while Pheasant stop Phoenix from rising -

Division Two leaders Hare & Hounds missed the chance to go three points clear when they let a two goal lead slip and had to settle for a draw against Norton Oaks 'B'. Hounds took early control and almost took the lead when Daz Mitchell crashed his shot against the bar and the Oaks keeper brilliantly saved his follow up, but Hounds’ pressure finally told when Richard Brailey’s cross found George Rudd in the area and he turned and volleyed home the opener. Rudd then turned provider for Adam Cawood to give his side a two goal half time lead, but it was a different story after the break as Oaks hit back. Josh beachell crossed for Dom Jolly to head Oaks’ first and they levelled when Ash holland’s shot came off the bar and with keeper Ewen Laycock and defender John Ledger leaving the ball for each other Oliver West nipped in to equalise. Laycock then had to make a terrific save to stop Oaks going in front, but Hounds also nearly snatched it at the end.

Second place Phoenix missed the chance to go top when they crashed to their first home defeat at home to The Pheasant. Sam Barker and Shane Andrews gave The Pheasant a two goal half time lead. Dean Williamson scrambled the ball home from a corner to make it three after the break and although Ross Brown raced onto Josh Aston’s through ball to pull one back for Phoenix, The Pheasant, with keeper Shannon Melia making an outstanding debut for them, held on.

Crookes & District stay third after a Chris Cottyn (left) treble helped them to a 6-1 victory over Pen Nook. Cottyn and Gareth Morley gave Crookes a two goal lead at the break and Cottyn scored his second before Matt Cowen added Crookes’ fourth. Cottyn was then brought down in the area and picked himself up to complete his hat-trick from the spot and although Alex Minto scored a consolation goal for Pen Nook, Crookes had the final say when Cottyn chased a lost cause before pulling the ball back for Rob Acheson to tap the ball home.

Kaiden Simpson and Leighton Buck doubles saw Steelers stay in touch with 4-2 victory over Chapeltown RBL Chapeltown kept themselves in the game with goals from Matt Grant and Ky Ugrader’s sixth in four games, but Steelers held on to stay firmly in the promotion race.