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Report week ending Sunday
19 Dec 2004
Father
and son team up to get Laycock's a perfect ten
Just four league games survived the weather last weekend, when Freedom House missed their opportunity to go second in the CBC Premier and in Division One, Royal Oak Pitsmoor heaped more misery on bottom of the table Niagara.
Lord Nelson climbed close to the top of the column in Division Two when three goals in the last ten minutes gave them victory at fellow title hopefuls Burgoyne Arms, while both father Andy and son Thomas both Registered for Laycock Sports in a 10-1 victory at Handsworth New Crown.
Although Andy Registered has netted plenty of goals over nearly twenty years for the club he will have been very proud to see Thomas register his first for the club.
They were both outscored on the day by veteran Mick Plumtree who helped himself to four of the goals, while Laycock's others came from Craig Kipling, Steve Naylor and Gary Luke and New Crown's consolation for a very game performance came from Russ Mellor.
Lord Nelson started the day a point and a place behind their hosts Burgoyne Arms and with both sides heavily involved in the title race this was always going to be a very tight affair.
Although both sides had their chances, with deep into the second half it still remaained goalles, but Danny Goodwin finally broke the deadlock for Nelson ten minutes from time and they took full advantage of an Arms that threw caution to the wind, by pludering two more late goals through Dave Thompson and leading scorer Brian McGuire.
It looked as if it was going to plan for Freedom House when James Todd fired home from the spot after they were awarded a first half penalty, but SCS came back into the game in the second half and grabbed a deserved share of the points when Scott Micklethwaite scored.
Royal Oak Pitsmoor climbed back into the promotion places in Division One with a 2-0 victory over a Niagara side that looks ever more likely to be heading in the opposite direction.
Craig Jones's low drive gave Oak a first half lead and despite dominating most of the play they didn;t make the points safe until five minutes from time when John Clarke's acrobatic bicycle kick found the net.
West
End, Redmires and Noahs Ark all cruise through to the last 8 of the county
cup
The Blades Super Draw League had more success in the County FA Junior Sunday Cup as Noahs Ark, Redmires and Woodhouse West End all won to fill three of the last eight places in the competition.
All three are looking for success on three fronts. They are all in the Division One promotion race and all three are also in the last eight of the League's Dairy Farmers of Britain Milk Cup.
Woodhouse West End looked to have the toughest task at Worksop's Kilton Inn and that's how it proved. Spencer Taylor gave West End an early lead and two Dale Fuller goals looked to have made a place in the next round a formality, but Dave Kippax then received two yellow cards and the ten men found themselves on the back foot.
Their hosts pulled one back shortly after the interval when they took advantage of a mistake by keeper John Badkin, but Badkin made up for it when he brilliantly saved a penalty. David Haley then capped his man of the match performance by hitting a fourth for Woodhouse and when their hosts also had a player dismissed the tie was as good as over.
The Worksop side managed a second late in the game, but it was nothing more than a consolation as Woodhouse made it fifteen wins out of fifteen for the season.
Redmires entertained Mexborough's Oak Tree Inn and after Andy Birks dribbled through the visitors defence to give Redmires the lead midway through the first half, there was only ever going to be one winner.
Ten minutes later Ian Gambling deceived the visitors keeper with a brilliant lob to double Redmires lead and the only surprise was that Redmires lead was only two at the interval.
In the second half Pete Walton came on after skipper Des Pike gave way through injury and he wasted no time to by extending Redmires lead to three. Walton then completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Nick Milnes had been upended in the box.
Noahs Ark's victory over Rotherham side Sitwell was almost as comfortable with Matthew Crossland another player to help himself to a couple of goals. Former Blade Adam Burley added a third and there was never a doubt that they would take their place in the last eight.
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Report week ending Sunday
12 Dec 2004
CHAMPIONS
FALL TO FREEDOM FIGHTERS
Reigning champions Stannington Village's unbeaten record was brought to an end when Freedom House beat them at the third time of asking to propel themselves well and truly into the title race.
Freedom started much the brighter of the two and deservedly took the lead through Adam Grainger and they made it two after twenty minutes when Sean Flynn found the net. They remained on top for most of the first half, but couldn't extend their advantage.
Stannington reshuffled their pack at half time and began to dictate play and although David Hague twice failed to take advantage of opportunities that fell his way, they eventually pulled one back through Ben Palmer. After that though Freedom closed them down and they held on to make loosen Stannington's grip on the title.
The other main contender Woodhouse George nearly went the same way in an astonishing eleven goal thriller with a Dronfield Talbot that had to play the whole game with just ten men and no recognised keeper.
It looked a formality for leaders George when Wes Pierce and Chris Towey goals had given them a three goal half time lead, but soon after the interval Richard Beck pulled one back from the penalty spot and two Rob Marriott strikes pulled them level.
Steve Mckew amazingly then put Talbot in front, but George hit back with three of their own from Towey, Michael Blythen and Sean Waller, but Talbot gave them an uncomfortable last few minutes when McKew struck again.
Minnies kept second spot after ending their poor run with a 5-2 victory over SCS Park. Lee Bridges put the visitors ahead early on, but Minnies hit back strongly and goals from Mick Wall and James Hird put them in front.
Ryan Holmes extended the lead with a twenty five yard volley and as good as made the points safe when he headed a fourth. Adam Parker pulled one back, but Minnies had the final say through Wrigglesworth.
Despite a less than impressive performance, Dronfield Town stayed third with a 3-2 win over an unlucky Moorview Ranges. Ben Castell, Nick Horsefield and Ross Carey goals for Town just pipped the two Jon Round scored for Ranges.
Fifth are Hemsworth Villa after they kept their good run going with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Handsworth Old Boys. It didn't look likely when Mark Barnsley gave Old Boys the lead on the stroke of half time, but the second half was barely a minute old when Lee Webber levelled.
Webber then headed Andy Crossland's perfect cross home to give Villa the lead and when Ian Holmes slammed home a free kick the points were firmly heading Villa's way. Any thoughts that the Old Boys could get back into the game were dispelled when Webber completed his hat-trick.
Handsworth WMC suffered an even bigger defeat when an Andy Hibbert inspired Stocksbridge Park Steels moved out of the bottom three by beating them 5-1.
Hibbert scored his first of the season from the penalty spot after Chris kelly had been brought down and when Mark Garrett laid the ball into his path, Hibbert grabbed his and Steels' second.
Carl Eaton pulled one back before half time, but Steels didn't let it worry them and their two goal advantage was restored soon after the break when Mark Sewell hit a debut goal. Steels were well in control by this time and the only surprise was that they only grabbed two more through Mark Carr and Mick Ward.
Woodhouse West End are continuing to dominate Division One and St Cecelias found themselves blown away by an eight goal blast from the leaders.
Lee Glaves struck the first two before Dale Fuller blasted home a free kick for their third and Sam Glaves added a fourth before half time. The second half continued in the same way with further goals coming West End's way from Roy Slade, Spencer Taylor, Andy Cox and a John Faruga penalty.
Crookes Club are second after swapping places with an Oughtibridge Village they hit for six. Crookes only had a slender lead at half time thanks to a Paul Jennings goal, but after sub David Rowe was introduced they quickly destroyed their visitors flimsy defence.
Rowe grabbed two before Scott Bennett and Chris Smith goals and even though Oughtibridge pulled one back through Keith Hague, Crookes had the final say when Kevin Haigh ended his goal drought.
Noahs Ark looked set for a big win at next to bottom Niagara when Jonathan Crossland fired them ahead after just ten minutes, but they couldn't break through again and had one or two uncomfortable moments before hanging on to the points.
Royal Oak Pitsmoor's challenge received a major blow when they were comfortably beaten at a Telecom Sports that could yet muscle their way into the promotion race.
After Rob Lawson was pulled down in the area, Dean Grayson slotted home the spot kick to give Telecom a half time lead and soon after the restart, Paul Marrison netted to double their lead. Oak could make no impression on the home side's defence and Telecom wrapped up the points when Grayson netted his second and their third.
Division Two leaders Loxley ended their run of defeats with a 2-0 victory over Dynamo Hartshead, but the bottom club made them work hard for the points and better times for them are surely just around the corner.
Skipper Carl Wells powered home Mark Newman's corner to give Loxley the lead at half time and after good work by Steve Mayfield, Newman followed up to clinch the game near the end.
Pen Nook lost some ground on them when they were held by Ball Boys in an eight goal thriller. Lee Revitt's free kick gave Nook an early lead, but they were soon pegged back when Matt Parkison beat the offside trap.
A Damien Smith penalty restored Nook's lead only for Parkison to again cancel it out and it got worse for Nook when Dave Browse fired the visitors ahead just before the interval. The fireworks continued after the break when Paul Randall met Ryan Cockayne's cross to bring Nook level, but James Glew's first of the season put Ball back in front.
Randall then missed a great opportunity to level again for Nook, but he didn't let it worry him and when a second chance fell his way he made no mistake.
Despite taking a twenty fifth minute lead through Jamie Middleton, Lord Nelson also lost ground when they were held by New Inn Norton.
Two quick fire strikes by Richard Dale at the start of the second half looked to have given Inn all three points until Brian McGuire came up with a late equaliser for Nelson.
Up to third are Burgoyne Arms after they came from behind to earn their third away win of the season at Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B'.
Daniel MacLean put Steels ahead, but Arms dragged themselves level on the stroke of half time when Chris Greenwood's cross was met at the near post by Scott Marcus's head.
The second half was a terrific game of football with both sides having their chances, but in the end it was the visitors that took their's with Danny Cooper putting Arms ahead and Marcus's second confirming their victory.
Also pushing hard for a top three spot is Jordanthorpe Hotel after a Daniel Waterfall double helped them to a 3-1 victory at Laycock Sports. Mick Plumtree pulled one back for the home side, but it wasn't enough and Jordanthorpe made the points absolutely safe when lee Sargent fired home their third.
Despite both being in the bottom three, Lynthorpe Oak and Handsworth New Crown produced a ten goal feast that went Oak's way in the end.
Early Hilton Stratford and Steve Fairbank goals put Oak in command and they looked on for a very big victory when Richard Tidy and another from Fairbank put them four up at the interval, but two Chris Jones strikes soon after the break gave Crown hope they might get something from the game.
Simon Bralsford and a second from Stratford restored Oak's four goal lead, but a third from Jones and one from Jason Ball again brought Crown back into it and with a bit more luck they might have got even closer.
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Report week ending Sunday
5 Dec 2004
Redmires
Send George Tumbling on a day of shocks
There was shocks in triplicate in last weekends
Milk Cup, sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Britain, as three Division One sides eliminated CBC Premier opponents.
Division One leaders won at SCS Park, Noahs Ark thrashed Minnies and, with the biggest shock of the lot, Redmires put out CBC Premier leaders Woodhouse George.
Redmires got off to the perfect start when Andy Birks put them ahead after just ten minutes, but George came roaring back and Michael Blythen blasted home a free kick to bring them level.
George have usually gone on to win games convincingly , but this time it was Redmires that looked the more likely to score and O'Connell, Birks and Lee Rodgers all went close, so it was no surprise when Ian Gamblings deflected shot put them back in front.
Redmires weren't overawed by their highly rated opponents and the second half wasn't too old when Rodgers extended their lead to leave George staring an early exit in the face.
George, semi finalists for the last two seasons, tried to get back into it, but it wasn't going to be their day and when Andy Birks was brought down in the area, sub Pete Walton confirmed Redmires spot in the quarter finals.
Noahs Ark's victory over another of last season's semi finalists, Minnies, was even more convincing as they thrashed their CBC Premier opponents 6-1.
Matt Crossland netted their first and it was followed by a Matt Stag treble. Martin Edwards hit their fifth and Gavin Machin their sixth, with Minnies only reply coming from Wrigglesworth.
SCS Park knew they had a task on their hands as the Division One leaders, Woodhouse West End, had won every game this season, but a fairly even first half ended goalless.
After the break, West End stepped up a gear and after hitting both bar and post, finally went ahead when Andy Cox volley home. West End continued to dominate after that and Danny Hooper confirmed their place in the quarter finals when he fired home from close range.
A fourth CBC Premier side to bite the dust was Handsworth WMC after they were defeated by fellow CBC Premier side Dronfield Talbot. A tight first half saw both sides go in goalless, but after the break Chris Haywood put Talbot ahead with a diving header and a second from Steve Adie made it safe.
Dronfield has two sides in the quarter finals after Dronfield Town twice came from behind to win at Division One Telecom Sports.
Ben Castell cancelled out Dean Grayson's early opener for Telecom and although Town were behind again following a second from Grayson Adam Fordham quickly had them level again.
Fordham then showed why he's such a feared striker by hitting two more to complete a quick-fire hat-trick and when Castell added his second the tie was as good as over.
Paul Marrison netted to briefly gave Telecom hope that they could get back into it, but it was Town that had the final word when Shaun Boyd hit their sixth.
Former holders Hemsworth Villa's passage into the quarter finals was less dramatic as they eased past Division Two Jordanthorpe Hotel 5-0.
The nearest Jordanthorpe got to a shock was when they hit a post early on and after that Villa were firmly in control. Glynn Radford fired them ahead from the penalty spot and Mark Hopkinson headed a second before the break. Andy Crossland made it three and sub Lee Webber came on to twice score when left one on one with the keeper.
A return to Bramall Lane for former finalist Oxspring United looked very unlikely when they trailed at half time to Mark Sanderson and Oliver Wilson strikes for Division two New Inn Norton, but they rolled their sleeves up in the second half and won a real thriller.
Ian Cooper started the fightback, but it was Dan Donovan that was New Inn's tormentor in chief as he netted a quick-fire hat-trick. Ryan Williams grabbed a third for New Inn to set up a tense last ten minutes, but Oxspring hung on to go thorugh.
They were joined in the last eight by holders Stannington Village who received a bye after opponents St Cecelias were unable to field a side.
Blades Super Draw League Games
In the CBC Premier, Handsworth Old Boys eased any relegation fears with a thumping 5-1 victory over second bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A'.
The smallest man on the pitch, Robert Pratt, showed that size doesn't matter by heading the Old Boys in front, but it was soon cancelled out Chris Kelly.
It didn't stay level for long though as Pratt helped himself to two more and Steels misery was made worse as Kevin Batty and Chris Taylor grabbed two more for the Old Boys.
In Division One, Crookes Club beat Niagara by the same 5-1 scoreline to move into the top three for the first time this season.
Paul Jennings was again their main threat and after netting twice in the first half he completed his hat-trick early in the second half. Liam Boswell capped his man of the match performance with his side's fourth and Scott Bennett netted Crookes fifth. Niagara's only consolation was that Craig Foster scored the games best goal.
Just above Crookes are Oughtibridge Village after they just pipped a Royal Oak Pitsmoor that were second at the start of the day. Keiron Currie put Oughtibridge ahead early on only to see Julian Woods cancel it out just befor half time.
The second half was a fairly even affair and although either side could have won it, it was Oughtibridge's Neil Armstrong that rocketted them up the table with the winner.
Division two leaders Loxley crashed to a second successive defeat when they were surprisingly beaten by third from bottom Lynthorpe Oak and the title race looks set to be the closest ever with no fewer than nine of the twelve clubs still having realistic title ambitions.
It looked good for Loxley when midfielder Carl Wells twice put them ahead, but Hilton Stratford and Matt Nesta levelled twice for the home side and Lynthorpe deservedly took all three points when Richard Tidy struck the winner.
That gave Pen Nook the chance to go top, but despite taking an early lead when Ryan Cockayne took advantage of a fumble by the keeper, they also surprisingly dropped points at next to bottom Handsworth New Crown.
Nook also squandered an early penalty when Damien Smith blazed wide and they were made to pay when Paul Ashmore made the most of a defensive mix-up to level for Crown before half time.
It got worse for Nook after the break when John Purdie's shot was deflected past their keeper and a real shock looked on the cards, but they rescued a point when they were awarded a second penalty and Mark Woodcock took over the responsibility to blast home.
Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B's title hopes also looked to be sufferring when bottom club Dynamo Hartshead twice had the lead, but they recovered to win an eleven goal thriller.
Paul Gregory fired Dynamo ahead after ten minutes, but Steels were soon level through Nigel Crockett and then ahead thanks to an own goal. Although Gregory netted again to level for Dynamo, Todd quickly had Steels back in front with a great free kick, but Dynamo levelled again when John Rhodes netted just before the break.
Dynamo were playing their best football for a few weeks and they looked to have taken a stranglehold on the game when James Ferris and the impressive Tom Donnaghy gave them a two goal advantage, but their old defensive weaknesses began to surface again.
Crockett netted his second to reduce the arrears before Simon Jowitt levelled and Daniel MacLean broke Dynamo's hearts with a late winner for the home side.
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