Report week ending Sunday 30 Jan 2005

SWEET FOR ARK AND WEST END FULLER JOY IN MILK CUP

The two all-Division One Dairy Farmers of Britain Milk Cup quarter final ties went to form, but only just with Woodhouse West End and Noah's Ark completing narrow victories over Redmires and Oxspring United to secure places in the last four for the first time.

Woodhouse West End celebrated being named the latest CBC Computer Systems Merit Award winners with victory at Redmires to extend their winning streak to eighteen games, but it was far from easy.

Redmires gave West End a helping hand after just ten minutes when full back Dan Peckett needlessly brought down Spencer Taylor and skipper Dale Fuller slammed home the spot kick.

After that West End's defence, superbly marshalled by Stuart Palmer, stood firm and when Simon Bradbury did get a sight of their goal his shot was saved by the keeper.

Redmires defence was also impressing, but with just fifteen minutes remaining, they were undone a second time when Lee Glaves's inswinging free kick was met by Danny Hooper's head and the tie was won.

Noah's Ark's victory at Oxspring United was even closer, but just like West End, Ark was also given a big helping hand by their hosts early in the game. Oxspring keeper Mick Wilson's attempted clearance hit his own defender Richard Parkin and the ball fell to Lee Sweet for an easy tap-in.

Ark had chances to extend that lead, but if they thought it was going to be easy, they were very much mistaken and Oxspring came thundering back to gain a deserved equaliser just before half time when Chris Hall fired in a great strike.

Although Ark were having more of the ball, Oxspring could and should have opened up a healthy lead in the second half, with Matt Waring missing twice and Alan Crofts producing an extraordinary miss from little more than a couple of yards.

Ark began to pick up the pace to push the home side further back and eventually they made Oxspring pay for those misses when Adam Tiler struck their winner.

EATON SPOT ON FOR WMC IN HANDSWORTH DERBY

In the league, the CBC Premier Handsworth Old Boys really did pay the penalty in their 'derby' with neighbours Handsworth WMC, while defeat for Freedom House allowed leaders Woodhouse George to open up a three point lead with victory over Moorview Ranges.

Bottom club Handsworth WMC have not had much luck this season, but their reward for a solid first half this time was the award of a penalty on the stroke of half time. Carl eaton stroked it home and when the WMC were awarded a second spot kick in the second half he gave a repeat performance.

Even when the Old Boys were given the opportunity to get back in it with a penalty in their favour they couldn't take advantage and for once this season the WMC had bragging rights over the side they share their pitch and headquarters with.

After putting themselves in poll position just before Christmas, Freedom House's title charge has come off the rails as Hemsworth Villa inflicted a second successive defeat on them.

In a goalless first half it was Villa that looked the more likely to score and when the second half continued in the same way it was no surprise when lee Webber got on the end of Danny Ebbutt's cross to head them in front.

Villa continued to boss the game and when Ebbutt capped his impressive debut for Villa with his side's second it was no more than they deserved, and even a diallowed third couldn't dampen their spirits.

That meant that Woodhouse George had the chance to put some daylight between themselves and the rest against a Moorview Ranges they had already hit for ten earlier in the season, and although the result was much closer this time, George made no mistake.

Kirk Briddon and Michael Towey gave them a two goal half time lead and Shaun Waller madce the points safe with a third in the second half, but Ranges can take heart from their performance and they could be dangerous opponents for the other title contenders.

Dronfield Town stepped up their title bid by blasting eight past a depleted Minnies side to gain the easy victory that saw Town leapfrog over their hosts. Adam Fordham was the destroyer in chief with four of Town's goals, while the others came from two each for Nick Horsefield and Dale Johnson.

Although Michael Barnes's first half goal was cancelled out by Lee Bridges early in the second half, champions Stannington Village stepped up their bid to retain the title with a comfortable win at SCS Park.

Village went back in front when Marcus Antcliffe's cross-cum-shot found the net before David Hague doubled the lead from the penalty spot. The best move of the game allowed Hague to hit his second as the visitors ran out 4-1 winners.

Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A's quest for safety received a boost with victory in their six-pointer with Dronfield Talbot, but after establishing a three goal lead, Steels nearly let it slip.

New signing Matt Sewell opened his account with the first before Andy Hibbert slotted home a penalty to double Steels lead. Hibbert later missed a second penalty, but Chris Kelly's fifteen yard strike seemed to put Steels in full control.

Talbot then began to stir themselves and Tom Harrison pulled a first one back and when Richard Beck closed the deficit to a single goal the home side's nerves were jangling. Steels managed to hold on though and open up a five point gap on the bottom three.

MUSTILL DOUBLE HELPS SERVICE IMPROVE

The Division One promotion clash between second place Crookes Club and third place Telecom Sports ended in the draw that probably helps neither of them's ambitions, while Civil Service grabbed just their second win of the season with victory over fellow strugglers Niagara.

Telecom's clash with Crookes was a strange affair for Telecom's Larry Moss, who after refereeing the first half, took his place in the side for the second half and scored to cancel out David Rowe's first half opener for Crookes.

Rowe restored Crookes lead and Kev Haigh should have doubled it when he missed from the penalty spot, but Rob Lawson also missed a penalty for Telecom before making amends with a second equaliser for the visitors.

There was two penalties in Civil Service's basement battle with Niagara and fortunately for the home side Steve Mustill converted both to give them the lead after Adrian Shaw had scored the opener for the visitors. A rare victory for Service was secured by a third goal from Martyn Kitridge.

LAYCOCKS HIT BY DYNAMO POWER SURGE

The Division Two title race continues to have it's ups and downs, with leaders Lord Nelson taking a better grip of top spot with victory over Jordanthorpe Hotel and New Inn Norton taking over the favourites mantle with a big win at Lynthorpe Oak, but Laycock Sports slid to a shock defeat at home to Dynamo Hartshead.

Laycocks had walloped twelve past their visitors a couple of weeks ago, but this time it was Dynamo that charged into the lead when James Ferris robbed the last defender before tucking the ball past the keeper.

Paul Gregory then doubled Dynamo's lead, but Laycocks hit back through Mick Plumtree and were level before half time when Sam Sequerra slotted home. It looked as if it would be the familiar story for Dynamo as Laycocks peppered their goal, but for once their luck held and Gregory raced from the half way line to put them back in front.

Laycocks then put them under intense pressure and it looked to have brought it's reward when they were awarded a penalty, but Dynamo keeper Sean Smith made a great save to give his side a very unexpected win.

Lord Nelson's reign at the top looked as if it would be short when Lee Sargent shot Jordanthorpe in front after just ten minutes, but keeper Danny Bowler had one of those days he will want to forget and his mistakes allowed Nelson back into it.

Skipper dave Thompson took advantage of two errors and John Middleton guided home a third as Nelson, driven on by the impressive Jamie Middleton, took control of the points.

Right behind them now though is a rampant New Inn Norton, after their front two of Alex Yule and James Sullivan once again ripped apart the opposition. The writing was on the wall for Oak when Yule netted twice in the first ten minutes and after Sullivan netted Inn's third, Yule completed his hat-trick.

Scott Allen was doing his best to stem the tide for Oak and they made a more even game of it after the break, bujt they couldn't stop Yule adding his twenty eighth of the season.

Man of the match Mark Titman's through ball gave Ryan Cockayne the chance to coolly lob the keeper and give Pen Nook a first half lead in their six-pointer with Loxley and they almost extended it when Randall rattled the woodwork twice.

The game was very open though and John Rhodes also hit the woodwork for Loxley, and when Newman's corner was flicked on by Jeff Mayfield, Rhodes was on hand at the back post to give Loxley a share of the points.

Helped by a Nigel Crockett treble, Stocksbridge Park Steels 'B' got their challenge back on track at bottom club Handsworth New Crown, but it wasn't as easy as the 6-3 scoreline suggests.

Michael Smith, Daniel McLean and Luke Birkinshaw grabbed Steels others, but Jason ball twice brought Crown within a goal of their visitors and they had other good chances before Chris James added their third.

Report week ending Sunday 23 Jan 2005

NELSON BACK ON TOP OF THE COLUMN AFTER LAYCOCKS COME UNSTUCK AT NEW INN

Although the overnight freezing temperatures put paid to over half of the games they didn't stop the Division Two title race from getting even hotter as the lead changed hands for the third time in as many weeks.

Laycock Sports started the day as leaders, but their title hopes were dealt a crushing blow as they were blown away by a rampant New Inn Norton and second place Loxley had to settle for just a point at home to Lynthorpe Oak.

Lord Nelson are now top of the column after a Brian McGuire treble and two from Matt Bray gave them a 5-0 victory over Handsworth New Crown, but it was a closer game than the scoreline suggests and Nelson keeper Joe Howarth had to be at his best to help his side to the top.

It was in midfield where they held the edge with skipper Dave Thompson putting in yet another classy performance, but even he was eclipsed by his midfield partner Andy West.

Laycock Sports never really recovered from the two early strikes by New Inn Norton's in-form striker James Sullivan and it was no surprise when Alex Yule added a third for New Inn before the interval.

Sam Sequerra netted soon after the break to give Laycock's some hope that they could get back into it, but Yule's twenty fourth goal of the season soon dispelled those hopes and Ryan Williams rubbed it in with Inn's fifth.

LATE STUNNER HITS LOXLEY

Loxley looked on course for three points when good work by Joe Waring allowed John Rhodes to give them a half time lead, but it became clear it wasn't going to be that easy when Hilton Stratford levelled for Lynthorpe shortly after the break.

Loxley went back in front when Carl Wells netted after John Bailey forced a mistake out of the Lynthorpe keeper, but a mistake by their own keeper Ian Cawthorne gave the visitors a share of the points, when a speculative twenty five yard shot from Craig Guilfoyle seemed to take him by surprise and finished in the net.

OX-SPRING A SURPRISE ON CROOKES, BUT TELECOM AND REDMIRES SCRAPE HOME

Division One also had a shock and two close calls, with second place Crookes Club slipping to a shock home defeat by Oxspring United and both Telecom Sports and Redmires getting narrow victories over two of the bottom three.

What made Oxspring's victory at Crookes even more remarkable is that a suspected broken wrist meant that normal keeper 'Geordie' Mick Wilson had to give his jersey to Ian Cooper, but because they were so short of numbers, Mick then took his place up front.

With left back Pete Gomersall outstanding, Oxspring then spent the first eighty eight minutes doggedly defending their goal, but when they finally fashioned an attack, veteran marksman Matt Haslam took full advantage to give his side an unlikely lead.

If Crookes were stunned by that they were completely dumfounded when Richard Baker found the net again with Oxspring's second and final attempt on goal.

Telecom Sports are now just a point behind with a game in hand after they completed what turned out to be an unconvincing victory over bottom club Civil Service.

It looked as if it would be comfortable for the home side when Rob Lawson and Adam Bellamy gave them a two goal half time lead, but after Dean Grayson missed from the penalty spot, Service began to get into the game and Simon Hall rounded the keeper to deservedly pulled a goal back. They couldn't find a second way through the Telecom defence and the home side managed to hang on for all three points.

Despite having a weakened side, Redmires were expected to comfortably take all three points at third from bottom Niagara and things were going to form when Richard Furniss's shot rebounded off the keeper for Andy Birks to fire home.

Redmires almost extended that lead when Ian Gambling hit a post and his brother Craig had one cleared off the line, but Niagara hadn't read the script and were level when Steve Loxley's effort was deflected past the Redmires keeper.

Shaken by that, Redmires took hold of the game again and Des Pike put them back in front, but Niagara again showed great spirit and it looked as if they would claim a share of the spoils when Loxley netted his second.

Redmires stirred themselves again and with just five minutes remaining Gambling had better luck this time when his free kick to the back post was met with Andy Birks' diving header for the winner.

HANDSWORTH UP THE CREEK AFTER DAWSON TREBLE

The only CBC Premier game to survive the freeze was the bottom of the table clash between Handsworth WMC and Dronfield Talbot.

It started well for bottom club Handsworth and David Cawrey and Jamie King rifled them into a two goal lead, but heir old defensive frailties surfaced yet again and Talbot tore them to shreds.

Matt Dawson netted his first treble for the visitors and Matt Joicey, Carl Harrison and Gavin Smith all also put their names on the scoresheet as Talbot completed a 6-2 victory that saw them climb out of the bottom three and leave Handsworth staring relegation in the face.

Report week ending Sunday 16 Jan 2005

ARK SUNK BY WEST END AND REDMIRES MAKE SURE THE SAINTS GO MARCHING OUT

It was a big weekend for three of our Clubs in the County F.A. Junior Cup as they did battle for a place in the semi-finals.

We were sure of at least one team in the last four as two teams from our League had drawn each other in the last eight. Division One leaders, Woodhouse West End faced fourth placed Noah’s Ark in the tie of the round.

With only two points dropped between them all season in the league the game promised to be a close affair but with home advantage West End were always going to the slight favourites and so it proved with goals in either half sending West End into the Semi’s. Alan Hull broke the deadlock from the penalty spot before Dale Fuller made things safe for the Westenders.

Redmires looked to continue their excellent cup form which has seen them reach the last eight in both the League and County Cup this term.

St Albans, who ply their trade in the Mexborough Sunday League, represented a journey into the unknown for Derek Siggs’s boys and they lacked cohesion as St Albans took control early on. Craig Gambling's header over the bar being their only noteworthy chance as they struggled to find their rhythm in the first half.

St Albans took a deserved lead after 25 minutes and Redmires were relieved to come in at half time only 1-0 down. The second period saw Redmires make two tactical changes and these paid immediate dividends as Lee Rodgers volleyed home from a Luke Siggs cross. The tie swung further in Redmires favour when Rodgers was hauled down in the box and Redmires ace marksman Luke Siggs made no mistake from the spot.

With their confidence restored Redmires took charge creating numerous chances before Andy Birks sealed the tie with a third goal 10 minutes from time, thus ensuring the League had two teams representing it in the last four of the competition.

CBC Premier Division

With the top two out of action due to the postponement of their game Freedom House had the chance to leapfrog Minnies into second place and close the gap on leaders Woodhouse George.

This was achieved  in emphatic style, with a 5-0 victory at bottom of the table Handsworth WMC. Goals from James Todd, Otis Pike, Andy Gray, Lee Staniland and Shaun Flynn leave them three points from the top with a game in hand. 

SCS park eased their relegation worries and dented fourth placed Handsworth Old Boys title hopes, when they recorded a 2-0 victory. Goals from Lee Bridges and Adam Parker sealing an impressive victory.

Both Dronfield sides were out for revenge against the sides that knocked them out of the league cup last week. Talbot were again under strength as they faced Stannington and it showed early on as Simon Howe and David Hague put the visitors 2-0 up, Talbot showed their usual resilience though and pulled a goal back through Martin Dawson.

Talbot were buoyed by this and spend long spells camped in the Village half pressing for the equaliser, but Village, the reigning Champions, are always dangerous on the break and they made the game safe when Simon Howe pounced for his second and Stannington’s third to give his side a rather flattering 3-1 victory.

Dronfield Town faired no better against a Hemsworth Villa side who took the lead through Lee Webber. Ross Carey equalised for Town and this looked to have earned his side a deserved draw until Webber grabbed his second in the last minute to settle this scrappy affair.

Division One

With the leaders in cup action, second placed Crookes Club looked to close the gap when they travelled to bottom club Civil Service. A shock looked to be on the cards as Civil Service raced into a 2-0 halftime lead with goals from Wayne Booth and Mark Simmons.

Things were looking bleak for Crookes as they were still trailing by two goals when, with just seven minutes remaining, they staged a remarkable comeback. Kevin Haigh (2), Pete Higgins and David Rowe fired in four goals without reply to leave Service shell shocked and claimed all three points for the visitors.

Telecom moved up to third with a 4-2 victory at Oxspring. Robert Lawson, Adam Bellamy, Paul Marrison and Richard Hanson, with a 25 yard screamer, grabbed the goals for Telecom, with Mark Denton’s double proving mere consolation goals for Oxspring.

Oughtibridge moved up to fourth in the table with a 3-1 victory over Niagara. David Hudson (2) and Ian Phillips were on target for Oughtibridge with Thomas Staniforth grabbing Niagara’s consolation goal.

Division Two

Laycock Sports registered a 4-2 victory over top of the table Loxley with a hatrick from Andrew Register and Mick Plumtree grabbing their goals. Loxley’s replied with goals from John Bailey and John Rhodes but it was not enough to stop Laycock leapfrogging them and taking over at the top of a very tight Division.

New Inn Norton recorded an impressive victory at second placed Burgoyne Arms. Norton were always in control as they raced into a 3-0 halftime lead with strikes from Mark Sanderson (2) and Ryan Williams. Darren Firth put away two penalties for Arms but a fourth goal from Alex Yule made the game safe for Norton.

Another high scoring game saw Dynamo Hartshead edge out Handsworth New Crown 4-3, this despite Jason Ball (2) and Paolo Messina giving Crown a 3-2 halftime lead, but goals from Tom Flannery, John Rhodes and a brace from man of the match Paul Gregory secured the points for Hartshead in a topsy-turvy game.

Jordanthorpe Hotel recorded a 2-0 victory against Ball Boys (pictured) with goals from Craig Green and Lee Sergeant in a match that was played in a good spirit despite there being no official Referee.

Lynthorpe Oak and Stocksbridge Park Steels (B) shared the points in a hard fought game. Steve Fairbank and Hilton Stratford grabbed the goals for the Oak with Craig Gilfoyle having an outstanding game for the hosts, but an own goal and equaliser from Michael Smith meant the points were shared and the Steelmen might have grabbed victory as they dominated the final 10 minutes of the game.

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Report week ending Sunday 9 Jan 2005

STANNINGTON AND VILLA EDGE OUT DRONFIELD

Dronfield suffered a double knockout in the Dairy Farmers of Britain Milk Cup as Dronfield Talbot went out 3-2 at home to holders Stannington Village and it was a similar scoreline as Dronfield Town slipped to defeat at former holders Hemsworth Villa.

Stannington had previously had narrow wins in the cup over Talbot, but this time they looked to be cruising to an easy victory when Jon Wigfield's cross was headed powerfully home by Lee Adnet and Kevin Bly's flick was enough to beat the Talbot keeper to double the lead.

Talbot had other ideas though and Martin Dawson swivelled in the box to fire home shortly before half time and put them right back in it and the second half wasn't too old when Paul Barker celebrated a rare appearance by levelling from close range.

The tie could have gone either way at that stage and Talbot must have thought it was going to be their day Stannington's leading scorer Simon Howe missed a succession of chances and then survived a penalty after a foul by Dave Marsh.

David Hague, usually so reliable from the spot, crashed his spot kick against the bar and forgot the rules when it rebounded to him as his second touch meant a free kick to the home side.

It wasn't to be Talbot's day though as Hague soon turned from villain to hero when his left foot curled the ball home for the winner and take Stannington to their fourth successive semi final and keep them on course for a return to Bramall Lane.

Hemsworth Villa were winners two seasons ago, but it was Dronfield Town that started the more lively and a couple of early chances fell their way, but against the run of play it was Villa that took the lead when Steffan Karanel won the ball in midfield and released Lee Webber to score the opener.

Town continued to press and were rewarded just before half time when Ben Castell's terrific free kick beat the Villa keeper, but that was as good as it got for them. In the second half it was Villa that began to dominate and it no surprise this time when their lead was restored as Lee Webber poked the ball home after a scramble in the Town goalmouth.

Two quickly became three when Mark Hopkinson beat the offside trap and although the keeper saved his first attempt, when the ball came back to him he made no mistake.

At this stage Villa looked like they might run riot, but some terrific saves by Town keeper Nick Siddon kept his side in it and when Shaun Boyd reduced the arrears it gave Villa a nervous last five minutes, but they held on to make it to their third semi final in four years.

The other two all-Division One quarter finals between Oxspring United and Noah's Ark and Redmires and Woodhouse West End are scheduled for Sunday 30 Jan.

In the league, it was a good day for CBC Premier leaders Woodhouse George as they beat Handsworth WMC 8-1 while one of their main rivals, Freedom House slumped to a surprise home defeat by a rejuvenated Stocksbridge Park Steels 'A'.

Bottom club Handsworth got off to the perfect start when Paul Webster fired them into the lead midway through the first half, but their familiar defensive frailties again came to life and Michael Towey's equaliser was soon followed by two more from Was Pierce.

The second half became very one-sided as George poured forward and further goals followed at regular intervals. Pierce completed his hat-trick and Towey struck his second, while others came from Chris Askey and cousins Shaun and Gary Waller.

Stocksbridge have found it hard to get a settled side this season, but when they can get their best squad together they can be a match for most and that's how it proved at title chasing Freedom House.

There was little between the sides until Andy Hibbert showed all his class with a typical long range strike past Freedom's stranded keeper, but Steels lead didn't last too long as Shaun ward levelled for the home side on the half hour mark.

After losing a lead, Steels have caved in on a few occasions this season, but this time they showed their metal and Mark Carr restored their lead when he headed a corner home on the stroke of half time.

Freedom put them under pressure in the second half, but well marshalled in midfield by Mark Garrett and the safe handling of keeper Scott Bowskill kept them at bay and three precious title points slipped away.

It came as no surprise when Division One leaders Woodhouse West End continued their all win record at the expense of the division's bottom club Civil Service. Dave Kippax and Craig Fuller goals gave them the early advantage and the returning John Faruga made the points safe with a well taken brace.

Second place Crookes Club also collected all three points against one of their promotion rivals Redmires, but it was a much tighter affair and Crookes almost let a three goal lead slip from their grasp.

Paul Jennings has been terrorising most defences this season and he quickly breached the Redmires back line to give Crookes the lead. Damien Atherton doubled it soon after and when centre back Andy Thorpe netted a third with a thunderous overhead kick the points looked as safe as houses.

Redmires had other ideas though. Simon Bradbury reduced the arrears in the second half and when Peter Walton's inswinging corner eluded everyone to fly into the net it really was game on, but Crookes somehow found the resolve top hold firm and hold onto the points.

Noah's Ark moved menacingly up to fourth after maintaining their unbeaten record with a 2-0 home victory over an Oughtibridge Village that is beginning to lose touch with the leading bunch. Lee Sweet struck the first just before half time and Gavin Machin wrapped the points up with a second just before the hour.

Telecom Sports are beginning to make their move towards the promotion race and if Dean Grayson and Rob Lawson continue in the vein that saw them plunder all the goals in their 6-3 victory over St Cecelias then they could make a long awaited return to the top flight.

Grayson opened the scoring against his old club early on and Lawson soon made it two and even though a Lee Staniland solo goal for the visitors reduced the arrears, Telecom had a two goal lead at half time through Lawson's second.

Early in the second half Lawson completed his hat-trick before Staniland pulled another back for the Saints, but they just couldn't cope with Telecom's front two and Lawson headed his fourth.

Paul Staniland converted Andy Fitzmaurice's corner to net a third for the Saints, but when Lawson was brought down in the area, Grayson stepped up to his Telecom's sixth and final goal.

The new year started well for Niagara after they held onto only their second win of the season at home to Oxspring United. Liam Hunt accepted a late Christmas present from the United defence to give Niagara a half time lead and Thomas Staniforth doubled it in the second half. Oxspring got themselves back into it with Mick Furniss's diving header, but they couldn't find another and their slide down the table continued.

The Division Two title race is getting ever more congested, with nine clubs still holding onto realistic title ambitions. The game featuring the top two at the start of the day, Loxley and Lord Nelson was hit by the weather, so that gave the others chance to close in and three of them made no mistake.

Burgoyne Arms came closest to a slip up when Jason Ball's treble for next to bottom Handsworth New Crown had them in all sorts of trouble and Burgoyne twice had to come from a goal down before finally winning by the odd goal in seven.

Ball's early opener for Crown was cancelled out by Darren Firth and when Ball restored the home side's lead from the penalty spot, it was a Firth with another penalty that again came to Arms' rescue.

Andy Mitchell then gave Arms the lead and it was doubled when Scott Marcus tidied up after his cousin Simon Marcus had seen his shot blocked by the keeper. Ball completed his hat-trick to put Crown back in the game and they had chances to level it, but Arms held on to go second, level on points with the leaders.

Just two points behind in fourth place are Laycock Sports after their experienced squad proved much too strong for a gallant Dynamo Hartshead. Andy Register helped himself to five goals, skipper Gary Luke and Matt Kent both grabbed two and Mick Plumtree and Lloyd McPherson added their name to the scoresheet, while a twelfth and final goal came from Simon Bartles first for the club.

Another to hit five was New Inn Norton's James Sullivan as his side completed a very convincing 8-1 victory at fellow challengers Ball Boys.

Sullivan scored all his goals to give Inn a five goal half time lead and they were followed by two from Alex Yule and one from Darren Rower before Matt Parkison netted a deserved consolation for a Ball side that never let their heads drop .

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