17 May - DIVISION 1 - George is Ruddy good as Hare & Hounds end the season on a high - George Rudd (left) scored twice as Hare & Hounds won the final game of the season, 3-1 against Loxley, for a win that saw Hounds climb to a season high position of third from bottom to ensure they will once again be playing Division One football next season. Hounds needed just one point from this game to overhaul Ranch and although Loxley's Mick Smith skyed four decent chances early on, victory for Hounds always looked on when top scorer George Rudd fired in a quite superb opener on twenty two minutes. Strike partner Stef Rankine chested the ball down on the edge of the area for Rudd to swivel and hit a left foot half volley high into the Loxley net. Loxley's attackers were restricted to half-chances and both Tom Storey and Anthony Marshall shots looked more likely to threaten low flying aircraft rather than the Hounds goal.

Hounds took advantage to extend their lead mid-way through the second half, with Rudd threading the ball through a flat back four for Stefan Rankine to poke home. Rankine senior was between the posts and he was forced into two athletic saves - one high and one low to his left - before Hounds sealed the win towards the end. This time Stef Rankine fed Rudd who poked the ball beneath the despairing keeper and beyond the reach of the lunging last defender. Loxley grabbed a goal back with a minute to go, when a ball was driven hard and low into the crowded box and it hit Jon Rhodes before it looped into the net Man-of-the-match for Hounds was skipper Daz Mitchell, whose tireless and combative display was an inspiration to those round him, and evidence of Hare's determination to stay up, while Loxley skipper Tim Pitt was Loxley's top performer. Ranch shouldn't worry too much as it looks fairly certain that only the bottom club, Dam House Bar, will be relegated.

3 May - DIVISION 2 - Hallam FC receive the Division 2 Runner-up Award & Joe Howsham takes the Leading Scorer Award - Hallam FC receive the Division 2 Runner-up Award & Hallam FC's Joe Howsham takes the Leading Scorer Award - see pictures right

30-Apr - CBC PREMIER - Oughtibridge lose thriller at Civil, so Redmires are Runners-up, while Stannington win - Oughtibridge WM's chances of landing the Runner-up spot ended with a defeat in a sensational eleven goal thriller at Civil Service. The result means that Redmires will be the League Runner-up for a second time. After a barren run stretching back to mid February, Civil Service finally got back to winning ways in an eleven goal thriller against Kitlocker Cup winners Oughtibridge WM. Yet it didn't start well as Civil. In the seventh minute, Ross Brown was in the right place to tuck away a rebound after a Mark Townsend shot had hit the post, then within a minute Townsend netted from the spot after Carl Ledger had brought down Justin Westoby. Danny Wattam reduced the arrears with a close range finish that was too hot for Arran Lamb to handle and midway through the first half Civil levelled when Gary Eades netted his twelfth of the season with a well judged chip over Lamb. From the re-start, Oughtibridge went straight down the pitch and Adi Tomlin's through ball was volleyed home by Townsend. Yet an incredible first half ended all square when Lamb could only parry a Wes Bamford shot and Civil skipper Ben Brown put away the equaliser.

Civil went ahead ten minutes after the break, as Paul Billard netted from close range after a well judged Gavin Wills free kick and Civil extended it with sixteen minutes to go, as Bamford cut inside and fired an unstoppable shot across sub keeper Paul Cadman. Oughtibridge pulled one back within two minutesafter Matt Dodd was brought down in the area by Wattam and Townsend tucked away his second penalty to complete his hat-trick. Four minutes remained when Josh Corker sent Wattam away to round Cadman for Civil's sixth and although Strachan Sampson netted a fifth for Oughtibridge with two minutes to go, Civil held on for a thrilling win. Action from the game is below, pictures courtesy of Ian Revitt.

Champions Stannington Village completed their season with a 2-1 victory at a Brinsworth Whitehill and equalled a League record by conceding just twelve goals. Sami Eric broke the deadlock when a shot from Gav Davis was parried out and Eric hooked it into the bottom corner. It stayed like that until the second half when a through ball from Lee Johnstone found Dean Jepson and he knocked it past the advancing keeper. Brinsworth pulled one back through Tom Coker, but Stannington had plenty of glorious chances to increase their lead. Jack Mylnek volleyed over from five yards, before Dean Jepson hit the bar with one effort and then missed with a header from inside the six yard box  Eric blasted over from ten yards when well placed and John Saville had a shot well saved. Shaun Flynn had a shot tipped over the bar and then in the final minute Ben Cook scuffed a penalty well wide with his left foot.

DIVISION 1 - Bingley Brace rubber-stamps Runner-up spot for The Pheasant  - Scott Bingley netted his first two goals of the season as The Pheasant (pictured right) rubber-stamped their Division One Runner-up spot with victory at a Hare & Hounds. The defeat means that Hounds must now must get at least four points from its two remaining games to avoid finishing in the bottom two. The Pheasant took an early lead through Dylan Parrott before Bingley netted his first of season. Parrott made it three before George Rudd pulled one back for Hounds just before the break. The second half started with Hounds missing a couple of glorious chances to reduce the arrears further and The Pheasant made them pay as two Joel Evans strikes took the game beyond Hounds. Carl Andrews makes it six and Bingley netted his second, before Rob Troughton netted a second consolation late in the game. Action from the game is below.

26-Apr 2015 – KITLOCKER CUP - Fletcher slices through Stannington to give the Cup to Oughtibridge - Two first half goals by the Sheffield Trophy Centre Man of the Match Tom Fletcher (right, celebrating his second goal with Justin Westoby) saw Oughtibridge War Memorial beat new League champions Stannington Village and stop them completing the double.

Oughtibridge War Memorial 2 Stannington Village 0

On a Sunday afternoon bathed in sunshine, a magnificent crowd of more than six hundred at Bramall Lane saw the Blades Super Draw League Kitlocker Cup Final saw two first half Tom Fletcher goals enable Oughtibridge War Memorial to upset the odds by beating a Stannington Village that had just claimed the League title for a third successive season 2-0. Stannington started as firm favourites to lift the League Kitlocker Cup and complete a League and Cup double for a third time, especially as they had had a comfortable 2-0 victory over Oughtibridge to clinch the title the week before, but it was Oughtibridge, playing in their first ever final at Bramall Lane, that were quickest off their marks and they almost went in front when Justin Westoby weaved his way past a couple of defenders only to fire over the bar. Tom Fletcher was next to have a chance, but he couldn't find the target, but he soon made up for it. A quick move out of defence got the ball to Jamie Smith who made space for himself to get in a shot that keeper Nathan Ryan did well to parry, but the ball fell kindly for Fletcher who made no mistake to give Oughtibridge a deserved lead.

With Oughtibridge skipper Joe Appleyard marshalling his defence superbly, Oughtibridge continued to look the more likely to score and when Ian Collins picked out Strachan Sampson's run a second goal looked on, but the defence got back to smother the chance. With Fletcher and Smith causing the Stannington defence all sorts of problems a second looked likely and it came when Matt Cundy released Fletcher into space on the left and although he still had plenty to do, he drove into the penalty area before hitting a low show on the angle past Ryan (pictured left). Inevitably, Stannington responded and leading scorer Jack Mylnek headed just wide from Aaron Worsfold's cross. They went even closer when Josh Coulson's crossfield ball found Gavin Davis, who cut inside before hitting a shot that brought a terrific save out of Oughtibridge keeper Paul Cadman to keep his side's two goal lead at the break.

The second half saw Stannington begin to have much more of the ball than they had had in the first and Oughtibridge were again indebted to keeper Cadman when he saved a Mylnek shot with his feet. Soon after a good cross in by Sami Eric was met with a firm header by Cory Mann that was on its way into the top corner until Cadman got a hand to it to turn it away. Ben Cook also sent Shaun Flynn away down the left a couple of times, but twice Matt Dodd was in the right place at the right time to turn the ball away from danger.

It wasn't all Stannington though. With Cundy working hard in midfield and Fletcher and Smith again giving the Stannington back line problems, Oughtibridge also had chances. James Baker won a challenge with Stannington skipper Lee Johnstone before sending Westoby away, but he fired his shot wide and Ross Brown and David Sheakey combined to create a chance for Sampson only for his shot to also go wide. Those misses didn't matter though and when referee Paul Matthewson blew the final whistle the celebrations for Oughtibridge's first ever Cup win could start after skipper Joe Appleyard collected the trophy from Sheffield United's Super Draw Promotions manager Mick Rooker, who also presented the Sheffield Trophy Centre Man of the Match Award to Oughtibridge's two goal hero, Tom Fletcher.

Oughtibridge WM: Paul Cadman, Matthew Dodd, James Baker, Joe Appleyard (C), Ian Collins, David Sheakey, Strachan Sampson, Matt Cundy, Jamie Smith, Tom Fletcher, Justin Westoby Subs: Sean Lee, Nick Galloway, Ross Brown, Josh Ranson, Arran Lamb

Stannington Village: Nathan Ryan, Aaron Worsfold, Ben Cook, Dan Green, John Saville, Josh Coulson, Rob Shelley, Lee Johnstone (C), Jack Mylnek, Gavin Davis, Bill Green Subs: Cory Mann, Shaun Flynn, Joe Barker, Sami Eric, Shane Hinshelwood

Referee: Paul Matthewson Assistant Referees: Will Cavanagh, Tony Clubb 4th Official: Nick Mason

Fletcher's first goal and other action from the game is shown below:

CBC PREMIER - Second place is Taylor made for Redmires, while the keeper Burgin scores Angels winner! - In the CBC Premier, two Mikey Taylor (right) strikes saw Redmires complete a come back from two down to beat Stocksbridge Park Steels to go second and they now look firm favourites to land the Runners-Up trophy for a second time. Steels got off to the perfect start when Scott Birch's superb ball through the Redmires defence found Callum Brown and he produced a cool finish. Steels look set to cause a shock when Birch stunned Redmires with a terrific finish to double Steels lead with just five minutes gone. Redmires were given a lifeline back into the game when they were awarded a penalty and although the keeper saved his spot kick, Matt Reay tucked away the rebound. They were level by half time when Andy Bath tucked away a Dale White cross and with confidence restored, they took the lead after the break when Mikey Taylor guided his shot into the far corner. Taylor then clinched the three points when he beat the keeper with a powerful shot for his second of the game.

Goalkeeper Greg Burgin (left) was Woodhouse Angel's unlikely match winner, but it was for his goal scoring rather than his shot-stopping that he earned his plaudits when his long punt upfield deceived the Civil Service keeper and went straight in for the only goal of the game. Angel should have taken a first half lead when a handball in the area was spotted by referee Paul Rogers, but Gareth Simons, normally lethal from the penalty spot, hit a weak effort that was easily saved by Civil keeper Joe Gant. The second half saw Gant again in action again and this time it needed a much better save to keep his side level. A great whipped in cross from the right by Mark Coggin was met by a bullet header from Johno Williams, but Gant somehow produced a save Gordon Banks would have been proud of and two defenders made sure that Williams couldn't force home the rebound. Burgin moment of glory came with just six minutes remaining when his long clearance deceived Gant and flew into the net. After that, Civil, with Wes Bamford and Danny Wattam working their socks off, threw everything they could muster at Angel, but they were hampered by an injury to Greg Dumpleton and the Angel defence held on without too many scares.

DIVISION 1 - Shackshaft treble helps Turf land the title, while Hounds edge towards safety  - A Ben Shackshaft's hat-trick helped Handsworth Turf come from a goal down to beat  third place Norton Oaks A 5-1 to clinch the Division One title. Turf's title dreams seemed to be under threat when Danny Reet put Norton Oaks ahead, but Turf levelled when a Tom Crosby shot was steered in by Shackshaft. Turf's chances were then given a huge boost when referee Jack Hall deemed a challenge by Norton's Sam Ireland as dangerous and shown him the red card. They quickly capitalised on it when Kieran Gallagher put Turf ahead and only two terrific saves stopped Danny Leesley adding to it. The second half saw Shackshaft turn just inside the area before firing home for his second and after great work by Mario Esposito, Shackshaft completed his hat-trick with a header at the back post. The scoring was completed when Tyrone Wilson cut the ball back for Esposito to tap in before Turf's celebrations at their Division One title and Sunday Junior Cup double began. Below is Liam Richardson receiving the cup, the team with the trophy and manager Adam Johnson with the trophy.

Hare & Hounds chances of escaping the drop was helped after twice coming from behind to take a point from a 3-3 draw with Intake Old Boys. Intake took the lead when Hounds' John Ledger was adjudged to have wrestled down Russell Hobson on the edge of the box and Hobson picked himself up to score from the spot. Both George Rudd and Stef Rankine had failed with chances to level when one-on-one with the outrushing Intake keeper and instead it was Intake that extended their lead when Paul Turner was left with too much time and curled the ball past the despairing dive of keeper Ewen Laycock. 

Hounds got back into the game two goals in as many minutes on the hour mark. First, Joe Troughton found brother Rob with a cross field ball outside the box and he drilled a fierce low shot into the far corner, then Stef Rankine touched a forward ball beautifully into the path of George Rudd, who advanced to coolly steer his shot beyond the keeper. Both sides were still making chances and after referee Michael Warner had disallowed one Intake strike, they retook the lead when the ball dropped nicely for Ryan Barker on the edge of the area and his volley flew past Laycock. Hounds applied relentless pressure after that and with just four minutes remaining got their reward when Stef Rankine's mazy run finished with a cross to Joe Troughton, who sidestepped his marker to drive in a deserved equaliser. Hounds went for the kill after that, but had to settle for a point.

DIVISION 2 - A Jordan Marshall treble sees Taxis up to second as Hallam are held – After John Matterson had given Sharrow Vale a shock lead City Taxis hit back with a Jordan Marshall hat-trick and single strikes by Ben Birtles, Aaron Marshall and Callum Hemingfield to win 6-3 and go second. Matterson scored a second for Vale to level things up before half time, but the game was as good as over when Bede McMillan netted Vale's third.

Taxis rivals Hallam had the chance to clinch the Runners-up spot, but it will now go down to Hallam's final game of the season after they were held to a 1-1 draw at new champions Phoenix. The home side had much the better of the first half but it stayed goalless after several good saves by Hallam keeper James Walsh, the best of which was a penalty save from the normal lethal Nicky Shaw. Hallam started the second half much better and this time it was the Phoenix keeper Kieran Osbourne's turn to save a penalty from Gadour. Phoenix took full advantage by going straight down the field with a flowing move that opened up the Hallam defence and Bradley Clarke set up Kieran Goff to beat Walsh and put Phoenix ahead. Hallam responded and although Osbourne made more saves to keep them at bay, a mix-up in his defence allowed Jack Waddle (right) to nip in and go round him to equalise with Hallam's ninety ninth goal of the season. After that both teams went for the win in a game that had been a real credit to both of them, but neither could get the winner and Hallam had to settle for the draw that means they need at least a point from their final game at Fox & Hounds Rangers to finish second and another goal to reach the magic three figure total.

Chapeltown RBL finished fifth after a Keenan Gibson double helped them complete their season with victory over Fox & Hounds Rangers. Chapeltown had to start with fourth choice keeper Paul Milner in their goal and a mistake by him handed Dan Hartley a gift to give Fox the lead. It was soon wiped out though as a Danny Cardwell long throw caused confusion in the Fox goalmouth and man of the match Keenan Gibson pounced at the back post to level the scores. Chapeltown took the lead in the second half when Ben Palmer left the keeper helpless with an unstoppable shot from thirty five yards, but Fox quickly hit back and drew level with a Nathan Driver strike after he had been set up by Nathan Hartley on his impressive debut. Chapeltown weren't to be denied a happy end to their best ever season and Palmer pounced to score his tenth of the season from close range.

23-April 2015 – CBC PREMIER - Bath sinks Civil as Redmires get set for Runners-Up spot - Andy Bath (left) scored the clinching goal against his former club as Redmires beat Civil Service 3-0 to climb into the CBC Premier Runners-Up spot. Redmires opener came when Jon Wall picked out Mikey Taylor at the far post in the first half and after the break, Matt Reay doubled their lead with a towering header from a Wall free kick. Wall was again involved when he combined with Taylor to set up former Civil striker Bath to round things off with a contender for the goal of the season with a left foot volley into the top corner.

DIVISION 2 - Colley stalemate guarantees them fourth place – Colley played out a goalless draw with Fox & Hounds Rangers, but the point was enough to guarantee that Colley will finish fourth and they will now have to wait to see if there will be any more than the three automatic promotion places.

19-April 2015 – KITLOCKER CUP - Kitlocker Cup Final, Sunday 26 April at Bramall Lane, Kick-off at 3:30 pm - A reminder to everyone that it is the Blades Super Draw League's Kitlocker Cup Final at Bramall Lane, next Sunday, 26 April, with a 3:30 pm kick-off. It will see Stannington Village trying to complete the League and Cup double for a third time against an Oughtibridge War Memorial playing in its first final. Oughtibridge led the CBC Premier table for a long period on the back of a 37 game unbeaten run of league games, but Stannington eventually reeled them in to take the title. Entrance to the game is just £5 for adults and free for accompanied children under 16.

19-April 2015 – CBC PREMIER - Stannington retain the title, while The Vine are safe - Stannington Village clinched the CBC Premier title for a third successive year with a 2-0 victory over an Oughtibridge WM they will meet again next Sunday in the League Kitlocker Cup Final at Bramall Lane. Knowing that victory wouls see them lift the title, Stannington were quick off the blocks and had a good early chance when Gavin Davis fired over the bar, but he soon made up for that miss when he controlled Rob Shelley’s pass before swivelling and volleying into the far top corner from a tight angle. They almost doubled their lead when Jack Mylnek crossed for Bill Green, but he narrowly missed the target.

Green did better in the second half when he doubled Stannington’s lead. After a good move down the right, it was again Shelley that crossed the ball in and although the ball cleared to the edge of the area, Green blasted the ball back into the top corner. After that Oughtibridge changed formation and with Tom Fletcher and Mark Townsend working hard in midfield, they came into the game more, but Stannington defended solidly to gain their ninth clean sheet of the season and take the title for a fourth time in style. Pictured is Stannington with the trophy.

At the other end of the CBC Premier table, The Vine made sure they are safe with two wins in three days against two of their relegation rivals. Doubles by Rikki Davidson, Liam Allott and Matt Ellis, together with a Phil Miskell strike gave them a 7-3 win at Bulls Head. Next up was Brinsworth Whitehill and although The Vine fell behind when Ryan Watson set up Ross Johnson to hit a real scorcher into the top corner, The Vine levelled before half time when Craig Woolley played in Davidson to score. The Vine’s winner came after the break when Steve Wilkinson crossed for Christian Nixon to head his first of the season. Brinsworth tried to respond, but the nearest they came was a Johnson effort that hit the bar and Brinsworth must now beat new champions Stannington in their final game of the season to get out of the bottom two. 

DIVISION 1 - Norton are up, but a late penalty puts Turf title celebrations on hold, while Greenwood leads Pheasant to victory - Norton Oaks A clinched promotion from Division One as Danny Clinton and Sam Ireland goals gave them a narrow 2-1 victory at bottom club Hare & Hounds, but the destination of the Division One title is still not mathematically certain after leaders Handsworth Turf surrendered two points to a late David Sills penalty (right) for Aston Swallownest. Norton tore into the Hounds and got their two goals in the first ten minutes. Danny Clinton tapped in from a Robbie Aspinall cross and Sam Ireland headed home from a Danny Reet free kick to put them in charge, but Hounds were fighting for survival and Jake Schofield’s through ball left Joe Troughton one-on-one with the keeper but he scooped his shot too far right. Both Rob Troughton and Stef Rankine also missed decent chances before the break.

Hounds kept up the pressure in the second half and eventually pulled one back when Adam Cawood swept a left foot shot through a crowded area to give Norton an uncomfortable last sixteen minutes. Joe Troughton missed another chance for Hounds and  Daz Mitchell headed a clear cut chance over.  Reet hit the angle of post and bar in a rare Norton attack and Norton survived a frantic penalty appeal in the last minute, but they held on to clinch the third automatic promotion place. Hounds did enough to suggest that they could yet climb a couple of places in the table.

Handsworth Turf had the chance to clinch the title at home against Aston Swallownest and they had a chance to get in front in the first minute when Ben Shackshaft squared the ball to Ollie Grady, but his shot just cleared the goal. They went even closer when a Tom Crosby corner was only half cleared and Craig Cansdale hit a twenty yard shot against the bar. Five minutes later Danny Leesley also hit the bar from the edge of the area and Scott Hall in the Aston goal made sure the sides went into the break level with vital saves from Shackshaft, Mario Esposito and Perry Jackson.

Hall started the second half with another great save at the feet of Esposito and Shackshaft headed over. Hall then parried a Kieran Gallagher’s shot and although the rebound fell to Tom Smith, his shot was cleared off the line by an Aston defender. Turf finally got their noses in front when Jackson’s pass released Gallagher to race clear and lob the keeper (the first four pictures below), but they had to put their title celebrations on hold when a rash challenge by Cansdale saw the referee point to the penalty spot and David Sills crashed the penalty past Liam Richardson in the Turf net to give Aston a 1-1 draw. More action from the game is below - pictures by Mick Moat.

Turf’s draw means that The Pheasant can still draw level on points with them and although their goal difference is much lower than Turf’s, they gave themselves a slim chance of nicking the title as a Chris Greenwood (left) hat-trick helped them to a 9-0 victory over Dam House Bar. Dylan Parrott scored two, while the others came from Craig Mawhood, Josh Statham, Shane Andrews and Dean Williamson. Both Turf and The Pheasant now have one game left and although Turf currently have a much better goal difference, a defeat for Turf and another big win for The Pheasant could swing it Pheasant's way.

Loxley's promotion bid ended as Craig Senior (right), playing in a rare midfield role, still got forward enough to score a hat-trick to help Ecclesfield Players Lounge to a 4-3 victory over them. Loxley struck first when Anthony Marshall scored from close range, but they were pegged back by Senior’s first. Marshall then gave  Loxley a half time lead with a shot that was too powerful for the keeper to stop. Senior cancelled it out a second time in the second half, but only a terrific save by Ecclesfield keeper James Abramski stopped Mick Smith putting Loxley back in front. Instead it was Ecclesfield that went in front as Senior completed his hat-trick and Hunter increased their lead with a very rare header. Callum MacRury pulled one back for Loxley, but it was little consolation to them as they knew their promotion dream was over.

DIVISION 2 - Norton Boul-ed over as Hallam go second, while Colley and Chapeltown both win – Ex-Blades striker Michael Boulding hit four and Joe Howsham (pictured left) three – the tenth time he has scored three or more in a match this season - as Hallam FC completed their home games with their biggest win of the season 10-0 over Norton Oaks B to climb up to second in Division Two. David France gave Hallam a fourth minute lead and Boulding soon added another with a terrific strike. Addie Gadour added another, while Howsham’s first two and Boulding’s second made it 6-0 at half time. Hallam continued to play some delightful football in the second half and after Jack Waddle added their seventh before Howsham completed his hat-trick. Boulding completed the scoring with two more and if Hallam take three points from their final two games they will collect the Runners-up trophy and medals.

Colley stayed fourth as a Matt Meaney (right) double helped them to a 4-0 victory over Fox & Hounds Rangers. Colley started off on the front foot and took a tenth minute lead when Meaney fired home from the edge of the area and just a minute later he added his second with a right foot shot from wide on the left curled into the far corner with the help of a slight deflection. The contest was as good as over by half time after Aaron Ellis drilled home an unstoppable shot from twelve yards in off the underside of the bar. The second half was a more even contest, but Colley  grabbed a fourth when Curtis Gregory beat three defenders before cutting in and scoring superbly from the edge of the area. Meaney then thought he had completed his hat-trick only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Chapeltown RBL stayed hot on Colley’s heels though with a narrow 3-2 victory at Laycock Sports. Chapeltown, who had to play leading scorer Ben Palmer in goal, raced into a two goal lead with a bullet header by Tom Wright and a Danny Cardwell penalty after Cardwell had bee brought down in the area. Paul Adams pulled one back for Laycocks in the second half, but winger Joe Moorhouse restored Chapeltown’s two goal lead. Scott Lyons reduced the deficit just just one again and only a terrific save by Palmer stopped Laycocks getting a share of the spoils. Both Colley and Chapeltown play Fox & Hounds in their final game of the season and while Chapeltown must win it, Colley need only a point to guarantee finishing fourth.

5 April 2015 - CBC PREMIER - Oughtibridge get tangled by The Vine and Stannington go top  - A Matt Ellis (left) strike saw relegation haunted The Vine score a shock 1-0 victory over title chasing Oughtibridge WM. Will Blakeney was back controlling midfield for The Vine after a three month injury absence and after Mark Townsend had gone close for Oughtibridge it was The Vine that consistently pushed the home side back. Rikki Davidson twice went close and Steve Wilkinson was also just wide with a shot from the edge of the area, with Oughtibridge’s only other reply in the first half being a Jamie Smith header over the bar. The second half saw Smith have a goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper and with Craig Woolley and Joe France not putting a foot wrong in defence, it was The Vine that continued to dominate and both Danny Seaman and Ellis should have given them the lead when through one-on-one with the keeper. They weren’t to be denied for long though and got the win they deserved when Phil Miskell put Ellis through for him to fire the winner past the keeper. Action from the game is below - pictures by Ian Revitt.

That result allowed Stannington Village to take over at the top thanks to a 2-1 win at Stocksbridge Park Steels. Stannington took the lead when the ball was slipped through to Joe Barker (right) on the right side of the box and he hit it into the far corner. They almost doubled it when a corner was only half cleared and Josh Coulson volleyed against the post and Gavin Davis headed wide from eight yards after Ben Cook’s perfect run and cross. Stocksbridge hit back in the second half and levelled the scores with a Ben Shepherd free kick that gave the keeper no chance, but they then gifted the winner to Stannington when George Orrell’s poor back pass was seized upon by Davis to score the winner.

Jon Wall scored two as Redmires stayed in the title chase with a 5-2 victory over bottom club Riverside. It was Riverside that struck first though when Danny Stead took the ball forty yards before sliding the ball to Callum Chambers for him to score from the edge of the area and with Adam Martin outstanding in their goal it looked like they would hold their lead until half time, but just five minutes before the break, Redmires grabbed an equaliser when Mikey Taylor supplied the opening for Jon Wall to apply a terrific finish. That gave the initiative to Redmires and three goals in the first ten minutes of the second half set them up. Matt Reay bundled home the first from a corner and the second was a Taylor strike after Joe Keighley put him through. The third came when Ben Graney picked out Wall for him to score his second of the game with a real thunderbolt. Reay set Graney up to add a fifth for Redmires before Christian Rowe scored from thirty yards for a late second for Riverside.

DIVISION 1 - Turf close in on the title, but Norton, Intake & Loxley all drop points  - Handsworth Turf are just one win away from the Division One title after a 3-0 victory over Ecclesfield Players Lounge. Danny Wilson clipped the bar and a James Leesley shot was well saved by the Ecclesfield keeper in a first half dominated by defences. Turf came out all guns blazing in the second half and after Perry Jackson had gone close with a header from Tom Crosby’s cross, Ben Shackshaft hit the post with another header from another Crosby cross. The deadlock was finally broken when Shackshaft turned well to get his shot away and although it was parried by the keeper, Wilson was on hand to head the rebound home. More pressure brought a second when Shackshaft and Leesley combined to allow Tom Smith to rifle the ball into the top corner and the scoring was completed when Leesley knicked the ball off a defender before running through and beating the keeper.

Norton Oaks A missed the chance to go second as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Swallownest. It started well for Norton when they took the lead with a Danny Reet penalty, but Aston grabbed an equaliser when Andrew Pearson ghosted in unmarked to head home. Norton were then rocked further back when Danny Wilcox took advantage of a loose ball in the area to prod home to give Aston a half time lead. After the break Robbie Aspinall tapped in Norton’s equaliser and Norton had several other good chances to win it after that, but they couldn’t take them and only a good save by the Norton keeper stopped David Sills winning it for Aston.

Two more promotion contenders to also drop points was Intake Old Boys and Loxley after their 1-1 draw with each other. After a goalless first half it was Loxley that grabbed the lead when Karl Taylor’s long throw was headed on by Steve Mayfield for man of the match Callum MacRury to score from close range. Intake responded by putting the Loxley goal under intense pressure and they got the goal they deserved when a cross was headed down for Daniel Humberstone to smash the ball home.

DIVISION 2 - Hallam end Phoenix's record, while Colley & Chapeltown both win, but Norton shock Fox  – Joe Howsham (scoring his three goals in the first three pictures below) hit a hat-trick as Hallam ended the League's last unbeaten record by beating Division Two leaders Phoenix 6-1. Phoenix knew a draw would give them the title, but they were blown away by a fast start by the home side. Harley Scholey put Hallam in front before two Joe Howsham strikes made it 3-0. A Kieran Cull cross allowed Dale Savage to head one back for Phoenix before the break, but that was as near as they got as the second half saw Howsham complete his hat-trick along with a second for Scholey and one for Addie Gadour to keep Hallam’s title hopes alive. All pictures below by Mick Moat.

Colley held on to fourth place, but they left it late when twice coming from behind to defeat Cobden View 4-3. After a goalless first half it Colley were shocked when Mansell and Cottingham strikes gave Cobden a two goal lead. Colley responded and pulled the first back with an Aaron Ellis strike from the edge of the area, before levelling with a Chris Fowler (right) free kick. They were still celebrating when a Cottinbgham cross led to Matthiu netting his first for the Cobden to put them back in front, but Fowler again equalised for Colley when he tapped home after a Curtis Gregory shot had been parried. With time almost up Colley threw men forward and they got the winner when gregory’s cross was headed home by Matt Meaney at the far post.

Chapeltown RBL had no such problems to keep their hopes of finishing fourth alive as Sam Walch hit a hat-trick in a 10-1 win over Crookes & District. Walch with two and singles from Neil Boote, Tom Wright and Gavin Burbeary gave RBL a 5-0 half time lead and after the break, Walch completed his hat-trick before Tom Rollitt and a Liam Gibson double made it nine. Crookes bravely kept going and got a very deserved goal with a terrific Jonathan Cross strike, but it was RBL that had the final say when veteran Paul Milner celebrated his birthday by scoring their tenth. Fox & Hounds hopes of a top four finish took a severe blow when they suffered a 1-0 defeat by Norton Oaks B. The games only goal came when a Joe Beachill cross was tapped home by Ben Cawthorne.