1 APRIL - Norton Oaks A resigned - The League was sorry to receive the resignation of Division 1 Norton Oaks A. Because they had already played 75% of their League games this season it means their opponents for their two remaining games - Mosborough Reds and Civil Sports A will be awarded 3-0 victories. PS - this is NOT an April Fool's joke.

31 MAR - TWENTYTWO CUP SEMI-FINALS - It's an all-Division One final as Earl prove too much for Crookes and a late Mawbey strike for Forum - For only the second time in League history, the League Twentytwo Cup Final will not feature a Premier Division side after a late Callum Mawbey strike saw Division One leaders Forum beat CBC Premier side Handsworth Old Crown and a Tom Nolan penalty clinched victory for Royal Earl over fellow Division One side Crookes.

After a shaky start, Royal Earl took the lead after 20 minutes when a through ball from Mike Towey found Steve Brammer and he dinked the ball over keeper Paul Clements. Gareth Simons’ shot looked like it would double the lead, but this time Clements tipped the ball over the bar. After the break Clements made an even better save to deny Callum Westney before Michael Towey was also denied by Clements, but he wasn’t denied for long as he met the corner with a thumping header to double Earl’s lead - pictured left.

Crookes fought hard to get back into the game and Liam Cartledge headed over at the back post before Matt Cowen missed an even better chance when shooting wide. They did get some reward when Mike Murphy shot home from the edge of the area with five minutes remaining, but as they piled men forward they were caught on the break and Conor Chapell was brought down in the penalty area (pictured right) allowing substitute Tom Nolan to smash home the penalty and clinch the tie. More action from the game is below.

The teams: Crookes FC: Paul Clements, James Hambling, Michael Murphy, Simon Mirfin, Philip Parkin, Peter Smith, Andrew Parkin, Chris Tunstall, Joel Purkiss, Liam Cartledge, Matthew Cowen Subs: James Reed, James Knowles, Robert Jerrison, Micah Bishop, Matthew Roney

Royal Earl: Callum Fielding, Richard Tootle, Connor Chapell, Oliver Beaumont, Callum Westney, Spencer Goff, Gareth Simons, Michael Towey, Steven Brammer, Jonathan Williams, Sam Fewkes Subs: Thomas Nolan, Ryan Hindley, Thomas Furniss, Christopher Wood, Joshua Ranch

Forum’s day got off to the worst possible start when skipper Joseph Thompson had to withdraw when his wife went into labour! When the tie got going both teams cancelled each other out in the first half, but after the break a Lee Thompson through ball found Matty Ord and he crossed for Forum’s leading scorer Antony Holmes to put his side ahead.

It looked as if that would be the only goal, but Handsworth aiming for a third successive final snatched an equaliser when a through ball was flicked on by Matt Ellis and Tom Smith applied the finish past keeper Jamie Smith. With extra time looming, Forum threw on sub Callum Mawbey and it turned out to be an inspired move when he found himself in space before coolly chipping the ball past Hansdworth skipper Tom Crosby to send Forum to their first Twentytwo Cup Final. Action from the game is below and pictured right are Forum's scorers Antony Holmes and Callum Mawbey.

The teams: Handsworth Old Crown: Thomas Crosby, Daniel Leesley, Michael Golland, Luke Fletcher, Carl Bowler, Ben Shackshaft, Harry Johnson, Shane Rollinson, Russell Hobson, Matthew Ellis, Liam Greenfield Subs: Callum Berke, Kieran Gallagher, Samuel Marsden, Tom Smith, Bjorn Taylor

Forum: Jamie Smith, Robert Cupit, Andrew Harrison, Joshua Gibson, Matthew Ord, Lou Jackson, Lee Thompson, James Pemberton, Antony Holmes, Sam Bebbington, Jahvan Sherratt Subs: Joseph Kazmierkiewicz, Joseph Butler, Nathan Reid, Callum Mawbey, Philip Nshindano 

31 MAR - CBC PREMIER - Title race down to two after Village win at Redmires, but it's the drop for Intake - Two Andy Dawson strikes helped Wadsley Bridge Pheasant take another step towards the title with a 3-1 home win over Oughtibridge WM. Pheasant started quickly and took the lead when Dawson's quickly taken free kick beat the keeper, but Oughtibridge then began to have a larger share of possession and equalised before half time with a terrific Adam Thomas strike. Pheasant made some changes at the break and they soon brought their rewards Adam Askwith’s flick in box put them back in front. Skipper Dawson then scored his second with a deflected shot and although Thomas hit the bar, Pheasant held on to leave them just one more win away from the title.

Stannington Village kept up the chase though with a crucial 1-0 away win at a Redmires that cannot now catch the leaders. in what always going to be tight game SVFC had an early chance through a Lee Johnstone free kick which found Bill Green, but he headed straight at the keeper. Dean Jepson was through shortly after and forced a good save from the Redmires keeper, and the game ebbed and flowed with both sides giving everything.

The eventual winner came late in the game when Stannington skipper Lee Johnstone (left) played a neat one-two with Charlie Hobson before firing low into the bottom corner. Redmires piled forward after that, but Stannington held on to win on what has been a bogey pitch for them in the last few years. The win means Stannington hold on to their title for another week at least and although Redmires title hopes are over they can be proud of their efforts this season.

At the other end of the table, Intake Old Boys' stay in the top flight was ended when they were beaten 6-4 at home by Wickersley Youth. Wickersley started the game well and deservedly took the lead through Kris Lee-Green, but Intake squandered a great chance to level when Jack Heald missed from the spot after Chamberlain had been fouled in the area. They did manage to level when Dom Naughton headed home from an Axell long throw, but Brad Carroll hit a quick fire double to put Wickersley back in charge. Intake pulled one back through Heald, but Carroll completed his hat-trick to restore Wickersley’s two goal advantage before half time. Carroll hit his fourth after the break, Intake got right back into the game when Naughton completed his hat-trick with two goals in five minutes. Intake went all out to get the equaliser, but it was Wickersley that had the final say when Adam Daughtrey got their sixth in the last minute.

31 MAR  - DIVISION 1 - Civil are safe, while Cotts keep up the pressure on Crookes - Civil Sports A secured their place in Division One for another season with a 4-0 home victory over Mosborough Reds. Andrjez Gordon-Hides headed Civil in front just before half time and they secured the win that guarantees they stay up with three goals in second half from a Wes Bamford penalty and two from Tapiwanashe Nyasvimbo.

Cotts continued their chase for promotion as two Michael Blythen (right) goals helped them to a 4-0 home victory over Ranch to go level with third place Crookes. Cotts never looked in trouble with Blythen scoring his first after a mistake by their a Ranch defender and they doubled their lead before half-time when Ryan Simmonite curled a thirty yarder into the top corner. They completed the win in the second half with Blythen’s second and a Theo Wilson penalty. 

31 MAR - DIVISION 2 - Whites are up, but Boynton look set to take the title - Luke Walker netted four as third place Mosborough Whites clinched promotion with a 6-3 home win over fourth place Colley. Despite having just a bare eleven, Colley struck first when Regan Dempsey climbed highest to head them in front. Whites got back into it after Levi Williamson made sure when a Luke Walker (left) shot was trickling towards the line and although Dempsey scored again with another header to put Colley back in front, Whites levelled again before half time when Walker planted one into the top corner from 25 yards.

The second half saw Walker fire home after being slid in by Jordan Riley and he completed his hat-trick soon after. Dempsey then completed his hat-trick to give Colley a chance, but a bizarre own goal restored Whites two goal lead before Walker broke through the centre of the pitch, sat the keeper down with a dummy and rolled in his fourth to complete the scoring.

Whites chances of landing the title look slim though after four goals from Jake Ballinger (right) helped Boynton Sports to an 8-0 win at Beighton Magpies. Boynton dominated the game from the very first minute when John Heritage nipped in at the front post from a Ballinger cross. Ballinger then added a quick fire double of his own with two superb finishes and should have had a third from a Heritage pull back but fired over. He did complete a first half hat trick five minutes later as Boynton finished the half 4-0 to the good.

After the break Boynton continued to dominate and Marc Peacock got his first with a cool finish into the bottom corner before Ballinger added his fourth moments later with another superb finish. Substitute Jermaine Modest then scored directly from a corner before another Modest corner was flicked on by Ballinger for Peacock to nod home his second. Boynton are now just a point behind leaders Sheffield Sixs and with two games in hand on both Sixs and Whites look favourites for the title.

Woodhouse Juniors didn't do their chances of finishing fourth any good with a 3-2 defeat at Wadsley Horse & Jockey. Leon Dearns, Joe Beachall and George Scott all scored for Jockey in the first half and although Woodhouse scored in each half through Billy Wakefield and Dan Lockwood it wasn’t enough.

The day’s final game saw Woodseats Chantrey climb out of the bottom three with a 2-1 home win over Cadbury. A real howler by the Chantrey keeper gifted the chance for Cadbury’s Josh Grant to put his side ahead and that’s how it stayed until midway through the second half. Cadbury lost their centre half to injury and Chantrey took full advantage with assistant manager Ben Raynes flicking the ball through for Luke Simmonds to equalise. The winner came soon after when Simmonds wrestled the defender off his shoulder to play the ball across for Charlie Hawkins to put the ball home.

29 MARCH - Sin Bin Training - Please see below, detail of Sin Bin training courses to be run by the County FA, including one at Ice Sheffield next Wednesday 3 April. You have to book a place in order to attend and we strongly recommend that you get someone from your club to attend.

SENT TO ALL LEAGUES & DISTRICT FA’s   The County FA has now finalised a list of workshops which are available to support peoples’ knowledge around Temporary Dismissals (sin bins) which is coming into effect from the 2019-20 season for all grassroots football (this includes mini-soccer and youth football, men’s football (from Step 5 and below) and women’s football (Step level TBC).

Attendance at workshops is via registration only, through the relevant booking link on the County FA website - http://www.sheffieldfa.com/news/2019/mar/20/sin-bin-workshops   They do not plan on running additional workshops but will have a recorded presentation available for anyone who is unable to attend a workshop.   Should you have any questions about any of the above information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the County FA.

24 MAR - CBC PREMIER - Pheasant have a magnificent 7, but Redmires and Stannington stay in touch - Wadsley Bridge Pheasant had seven different scorers in a 7-0 victory at Chapeltown RBL and they need just two more wins to regain the title. It was a comfortable win for Pheasant in end, but they made a nervous start and missed chance after chance until Daz Antcliffe with his first goal of season from about 25 yards out and an Ash Simpson goal calmed nerves to lead 2.0 at half time. After the break, Aaron Statham and Dylan Parrott added the third and fourth before Jordan Livett despatched a penalty after he was brought down. Adam Askwith made it six and a fine header by Ben Brown completed the scoring. There was plenty of credit to Chapeltown who kept battling till end and their keeper in particular, who pulled some excellent saves.

Second place Redmires stayed in touch though with a narrow 2-1 home win over Oughtibridge WM. Redmires created lots of chances in the first half with Danny Reet going closest when he hit a post, but Oughtibridge had more possession and they finally took a deserved lead just after the break when Ollie Black finished off a great team move. Redmires fought back and equalised when Chris Cottyn (right) hit a right footed strike into the top corner and they won it with a Danny Reet thunderbolt free kick from 40 yards.

Current champions Stannington Village also remained in the chase after Lee Johnstone and Alex Torr goals also gave them a narrow 2-1 victory at Norton Sportsman. Stannington took the lead when from a throw in Shaun Flynn found Lee Johnstone (left) and he finished well from the edge of the box and a  second goal before half time came when a through ball by Lewis Dickinson found Alex Torr and he finished well into the far corner.

Norton put in a great second half performance and pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go when sub Danny Rogers tapped in a Sonny Wilson cross. They thought they had equalised with five minutes remaining when Jack Waymouth’s shot hit the underside of the bar and came down, but the referee ruled that it hadn’t fully crossed the line and Stannington held on.

Woodseats Club completed their season with a 2-2 home draw against a Handsworth Old Crown that still isn’t completely safe. A Matt White goal gave Woodseats a deserved half time lead, but Crown hit back after the break and goals from Russell Hobson and Callum Burke put them on course for the win that would have guaranteed their place in the top flight, but Sam Read beat the offside trap to level for Woodseats, leaving Crown still needing a point to be absolutely safe. .

24 MAR  - DIVISION 1 - Earl are promoted, but Crookes and Cotts suffer defeats - Royal Earl confirmed their promotion to the top flight as Steve Brammer and Michael Towey doubles helped them to a 6-1 victory over fourth place Cotts. Earl took the lead with a Paddy Carrig goal from a corner and Steve Brammer added a fine second before half-time. Earl kept the pressure on and further goals from Steve Brammer, Mike Towey 2 and Sam Smith gave them a well deserved win, despite Michael Blythen netting his 16^th goal of the season for Cotts. 

Cotts still have a chance of a top three finish as third place Crookes lost out in an eleven goal thriller at Ranch, a result that took the tally of goals in Ranch home games to an amazing 66 in just 9 games.  Doubles by Matt Jacobs, Mikey Vella and Alex Cowlishaw always had Ranch in front, but a Liam Cartledge treble, an Andy Parkin strike and one from Chris Tunstall kept bringing Crookes level, until Cowlishaw’s second from 25 yards finally settled the game.

The other Division 1 game saw Southey win 3-1 at Mosborough Reds. After early pressure from Mosborough saw them create a few opportunities, Southey caught them on the break and Carlton Carty opened the scoring with a 20 yard screamer. Dean Foreman (left) kept Southey in front with a brilliant last ditch tackle before Todd Guest saw his header from a corner well saved by the Mosborough keeper. Mosborough’s pressure was finally rewarded just after the break when Jack Hotchin equalised with a header from a corner, but that seemed to wake Southey up and a 20 yarder from Adam Danks restored their lead, before a great finish by Jarrod Lomas extended their lead. After that the outstanding Mosborough keeper and the woodwork kept Southey from adding more goals.

24 MAR - DIVISION 2 - Sixes and Boynton are up and Whites are almost there - The top two of Sheffield Sixes and Boynton Sports both won to confirm their promotion to Division 1 next season and, despite not playing, Mosborough Whites are as good as there as their goal difference is so much better than the only team that could catch them, Woodhouse Juniors. Sixes came from behind to win 4-3 at Wadsley Horse & Jockey. Although Sam Civil opened the scoring for Jockey inside 10 minutes, two goals in five minutes from Danny Barnsley (right) and Harry Buxton put Sixs in front, but Jockey levelled with a George Scott penalty on the stroke of half time. Liam Davies put Sixs back in front with a penalty ten minutes after the break and Connor Lomax made it 4-2 on 70 minutes. Reece James pulled one back for Jockey, but Sixs held on to confirm promotion. 

Despite a goalless first half, Boynton Sports confirmed their promotion with a 5-1 victory at Woodhouse Juniors with the help of a Marcus Gordon (left) hat-trick. Marc Peacock and Enos Huly hit Boynton’s others, whilst Dan Lockwood hit Woodhouse’s consolation

Despite having a depleted squad and no recognised keeper, Colley grabbed a narrow 1-0 win at home to Beighton Sports. Chances were at a premium and the game was goalless until midway through the second half when Chris Belshaw hit the game’s only goal. With the wind at their back, Colley had numerous chances to increase their lead, but the woodwork and poor finishing meant that the game ended 1-0.

The day’s final game saw Shakey literally Battle to a 2-1 victory at Woodseats Chantrey thanks to goals from Adam & Jack Battle. Adam was first to strike after just seven minutes and it quickly got worse for Chantrey when they had a defender dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity. To make matters worse for Chantrey Jack Battle netted Shakey’s second from the free kick. Chantrey’s ten men came out all guns blazing after the break, making, but missing, several chances in the first few mins, but they eventually got the goal their pressure deserved when Brad Leather put Luke Simmonds through to score. Chantrey continued to make and miss chances after that so Shakey held on.

24 MARCH - Civil Sports B resigned - The League was sorry to receive the resignation of Division 2 Civil Sports B. Because they had not yet played 75% of their League games this season it means that all their results and goals scored by them and their opponents will be removed from the records and tables.

22 MARCH - Fixtures and Referees for APRIL 2019 now added - The Fixtures and Referees for APRIL have now been added to the website. Home clubs should contact their opponents and Referees where shown ASAP.

17 MAR - Training for Pitch Maintenance - The County FA has asked that we publicise a Level 1 Winter Pitches: In Season (Maintenance) course scheduled for 27th March 2019 at SGP Thorncliffe. The course will run from 10am to 4pm and the cost per person is £100. The key subjects – assessment, sequencing of work and aeration to mowing, aeration and line marking, plus more – are studied through a progressive one-day IOG Learning course. With delivery from an industry expert, experience an educational hands-on training day featuring a productive presentation, plus turf care theory and practical working demonstrations. By attending this course, you will learn what is involved in preparing and maintaining a surface that allows for maximum playbility, and in addition, receive a Certificate of Attendance.  For more information about the course or to book your place, please follow the link below.   https://eventspace.thefa.com/sheffieldfa/participant/arrangement.aspx?id=270404

17 MAR  - COUNTY FA SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL - Cartledge hat-trick as Crookes come from two down to nick it after extra time at Southey -  Crookes needed the help of a Liam Cartledge (left) hat-trick and extra time to come from two down to win at fellow Division One side Southey Social to reach the final of the County FA Sunday Junior Cup. In an even first half, Southey lost Byron Mullen early with a pull, but his replacement Jack Dickens provided the cross that a Crookes defender deflected past his own keeper to give Southey a half time lead.

After the break Southey went two up when Ryan Whitney was first to the ball after the Crookes keeper spilled a Kieran Hopkinson free kick. Crookes reduced the arrears when Chris Tunstall fired home from the edge of the area and then levelled when they were awarded a hotly disputed penalty that allowed Cartledge to net his first. Both teams went all out for the winner, with Jarrod Lomas almost getting it for Southey with the last kick of the ninety minutes.

Crookes took control in the first period of extra time with three goals. Cartledge put his side ahead for the first time with a terrific header before Andy Parkin doubled their lead. Cartledge completed his hat-trick to put Crookes 5-2 and in the second period of extra time Chris Tunstall netted Crookes’ sixth before Carlton Carty hit Southey’s third with the last kick of the game. Crookes will meet Rotherham's AFC Schoolboy in the final after their 3-2 victory over Sheffield Legends.

17 MAR - CBC PREMIER - Thomas five as Wickersley hit Woodseats for six to go fourth - The bad weather meant only one game was playable in the CBC Premier Division and it proved to be a successful one for Wickersley Youth as Jordan Thomas (right) scored five times to inspire them to a 6-2 win over Woodseats Club whom they now leapfrog into fourth place in the standings. Brad Carroll notched Wickersley’s other, with Liam Bryan and Lewis Whitaker netting for Woodseats.

17 MAR  - DIVISION 1 - Cotts promotion bid hits the Pitt at Cobden -  There was also only one game played in Division One and Cotts suffered a jolt to their promotion aspirations as they slipped to 2-1 loss at Cobden View. View took the lead when Sam Porter latched onto a through ball and finished confidently with his left. Cobden’s teenage keeper Ryan Jones saved a Cotts penalty kick but the away side were back on parity when experienced striker Michael Blythen level. Yet View took the points home when Porter crossed and former Loxley stalwart Tim Pitt (left) headed in the winning goal.

17 MAR - DIVISION 2 - Whites and Sixes draw, but Boynton win to become title favourites - Division Two’s big game ended in a share of the points as the top two shook hands on a 3-3 draw. Visitors, and leaders, Sheffield Sixs looked good for the points at second place Mosborough Whites as they headed into the final twelve minutes two goals to the good through Simon Howe and Danny Barnsley despite having Damon Ashall dismissed ten minutes before half time. However hosts Mosborough Whites hit three goals in six minutes to go ahead through Kingsley Lewin, a towering Julian Lawrence header and Jack Bennett. But Sixs got themselves a point in time added when Brad Nicholson (right) scored their third.

That draw was good news for Boynton Sports as they closed within one point of the top two and with games in hand after a 5-0 home success over a Wadsley Horse & Jockey side that gave the promotion high flyers a real game despite the scoreline. Ross Thompson (left) hit a double for the winners who also found the net through top scorer Jake Ballinger, man of the match Simon Marsden and Marcus Gordon.

Colley’s promotion charge stayed alight after a 5-2 win at home to a Brinsworth Phoenix they had failed to beat in nine previous attempts. Doubles from Matt Meaney and Danny Parker (right), his second being a splendid effort after he had won the ball in the centre circle and fired home from fully forty-five yards out, whilst Chris Belshaw netted the other after some unselfish play from Parker whilst Jack Hawkes and Brad Beedham both netted long range efforts for Phoenix.

13 MAR - Renishaw Rangers resign - The League was sad to receive the resignation of Renishaw Rangers today. They had three games remaining and their opponents in them, Norton Sportsman, Wickersley Youth and Chapeltown RBL will be awarded the points.