28 Jan 2014 - Vote for Handsworth - The Back in November 2013 it was announced that Handsworth Junior Sporting Club would be one of just eight grass roots clubs from around England, to receive a £50,000 grant as part of the BUDWEISER football grant programme CLUB FUTURES PROGRAMME. Added to this was that Handsworth JFC, along with the other 7 clubs could be in with a chance of winning an additional £100,000 Super Grant topping up their funding to a total of £150,000 ….. but only 1 of the eight clubs can secure this additional money.

Handsworth Old Boys forms part of the Handsworth Junior Sprting Club and we can help Handsworth make sure they win that extra funding by casting your vote on Facebook. So we need you and all your friends and Facebook contacts to VOTE for HANDSWORTH JFC. The initial £50,000 grant is already earmarked by Handsworth JFC, whose first team currently plays in the Pete’s Patisserie County Senior League Premier Division, to replace their grandstand and allow other developments within the ground to take place. An additional £100,00 would transform the club and allow it to develop facilities that can be used by the football club and its 27 teams, but the local and wider community.

Each of the 8 grass roots clubs produced a 2 minute video to promote why they should be chosen to receive the additional funding and last night at the club Handsworth JFC launched their bid. John Ward, Chairman of Handsworth JFC said: ”We would like to ask all our friends in the County FA area and beyond to go on Facebook and vote for Handsworth. If we can keep this extra funding in our area, it will be fantastic for the people in the community in and around Sheffield and of course, Handsworth in particular". John added, “I would like to sincerely thank everyone at the club for their efforts in putting the bid together and of course preparing the video, it is much appreciated.”

Sheffield United’s Harry Maguire and Sheffield Wednesday’s Aaron Jameson came along to the launch to support the bid, along with Richard Caborn, Sheffield’s former government Sports Minister, Adam Etches and Scott Jenkins from Sheffield’s boxing fraternity, and Alf Goodison, Vice President of Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA and Chairman of the County Senior League.

The League urges all it's players, supporters and followers to VOTE for HANDSWORTH. So your next step is to go to your Facebook page, go to Budweiser Club Futures, “like” the page, then click on the Handsworth badge add your name as it is only one vote per person and tick the top box to place your vote….. and don’t forget to make sure your Facebook friends place their vote too! or go direct with this link https://www.facebook.com/BudweiserUK?sk=app_100180143470548

27 Jan 2014 - MACRON CUP - Semi final draw sees a repeat of the 2012 final - The draw for the semi finals of the Macron Cup was made at Bramall Lane this evening by Blades Super Draw's Mick Rooker and Pete Stone and it saw a repeat of the 2012 final with The Park meet Civil Service. The other semi final sees last season's beaten finalists Ecclesfield Players Lounge face the League's oldest club Redmires, who will be trying to reach their first ever Macron Cup Final. Both ties will be played at the HSBC Sports Ground, Dore on 30 March, kick-off at 11.00am. The full draw is Ecclesfield Players Lounge v Redmires, The Park v Civil Service. The final will be at Bramall Lane at the end of the season.

26 Jan 2014 - CBC PREM - Bulls title challenge hit as Redmires continue their upward trend - The only Blades Super Draw CBC Premier game to survive the heavy overnight rain took place on the Tapton Community Sports Ground’s all-weather  pitch and it saw Bulls Head’s title challenge take a further blow as a goal in each half saw them suffer their third consecutive defeat to a Redmires side that played much of the second half with ten men. For Redmires it was their third win in a row, a run that has seen them move from the bottom up to mid-table and three points clear of the relegation zone.

Although the game started evenly, Bulls Head had the early chances with Nick Ash putting his header over the bar and a Tom Cockles volley was blocked on the line, but Redmires also created some chances and took the lead when Dave Knaggs (left) took advantage of a mistake by Lee Smith to find Jon Wall on the edge of the box and he comfortably beat Bulls Head keeper Matt Coates from eighteen yards.

Redmires were now having more of the ball and it could have been finished as a contest by half time had Knaggs, Wall and Ben Palmer taken clear cut chances. Wall also thought he had scored a second when it was claimed his effort had crossed the line, but referee Ian Dyson ruled otherwise. Bulls Head’s main hopes were coming from the good touches applied by their influential striker Nick Ash, but their hopes took a big blow just before half time when he had to give way to injury just before the break.

Half time: Redmires 1 Bulls Head 0

The second half started in much the same way as the first, with Redmires in charge, but despite continuing to carve out chances they couldn't find the second goal to kill the game. A controversial moment looked to be suddenly swaying the game Bulls Head’s way when the referee gave Joe Keighley his marching orders for comments made to him.

Just when it looked as if Bulls Head would take charge of the game, another defensive mistake helped, Redmires got their second. Wall turned provider this time to put Knaggs through and he calmly put the ball over the advancing Bulls Head keeper Coates, and despite a great effort from Kerry Dixon to stop it, the ball slid into the empty net.

Helped by the promptings of Alan Mowforth and Mark Bryant Bulls Head began to make their numerical advantage count and they almost pulled one back when Dixon’s shot trickled along the line before hitting a post, but the Redmires defence was first to the loose ball and it was cleared. After that despite Bulls Head having the big majority of the possession, the Bulls attack couldn’t find a way through and the impressive Redmires defence held firm to make it just one defeat from their last eight games.

Redmires: Dave Reay, Dale White, Chris Cotterill, Ben Graney, Matt Reay, James Kirkham, Jon Wall Hegel Noubouisse, Dave Knaggs, Ben Palmer, Dan Bathie Subs: Hamid Arezzo, Mikey Taylor, Joe Keighley, Nick Hickson.

Bulls Head: Matt Coates, Tom Cocker, Gregg Broomhead, Kerry Dixon, Lee Smith, Christopher Boot, Matt Evans, Mark Bryant, Nick Ash, Alan Mowforth, Jordan Barton Subs: Phil Jenkins, Sam Newton, Ali Berry, Chris Peel.

Referee: Ian Dyson

DIV 1 - Danny's the Reet man as Norton go back to the top - Division One’s only game took place on King Edwards all-weather pitch and it saw a Danny Reet (right) inspired Norton Oaks 'A' return to the top of the table with a 4-2 victory over Cobden View. Norton took the lead with Danny Reet’s low drive beating the keeper from twenty yards, but they were pegged back when Dan Skidmore’s cross to the back post was headed in by Rich Lowery.

They weren’t level for long though as man of the match Reet began a hat-trick of assists. He first laid the ball off to Jack Moorhouse who drilled the ball into the top corner from twenty five yards, before putting Coel Fulton (left) through to despatch into the far corner to give Norton a 3-1 lead at the break. Cobden didn’t give up though and deservedly pulled one back when Younis Mekhalfia beat two player before crossing into the box for Mike Walker to head home at the near post. Any thoughts of a comeback were dashed though when Reet teed up Billy Ireland and he smashed another strike from distance into the roof of the net to confirm the win that takes Oaks back to the top of the table

DIV 2 - Otis puts a Thorn in Steelers promotion bid - Norton Oaks ‘B’ were also successful in the day’s only Division Two game as they beat promotion challenging Steelers in a nine goal thriller on the Goodwin Sports Centre’s all-weather pitch. Norton took the lead when Joe Lawson headed home from a Steve Reynalds corner and they doubled their lead when Scott Stringer (right) played Chris Pigott through to finish from a tight angle.

Steelers got themselves back into the game when leading scorer Blake Owen pulled one back before half time, but soon after the break Norton restored their two goal lead when Oli West played Scott Stringer through for another tidy finish. Steelers came back strongly and reduced the arrears with a David Fox strike and the game looked to be going their way when Owen grabbed his second of the game to level the scores.

Only one of the other promotion challengers has conceded more goals than Steelers and their defensive frailties were exposed again when a Josh Stafford header came back off the post for Chris Pigott to nod Norton back into the lead. Steelers roared back again and Owen completed his hat-trick to bring his side level yet again, but it was Norton that finally won it when Otis Thorn headed home from another Steve Reynalds corner.

23 Dec 2013 - February fixtures & referees now listed - The fixtures and referees for February are now listed in Latest Fixtures. Clubs should confirm all their home games with the referees and opponents IMMEDIATELY.

21 Jan 2014 - Matt's finishes put him top of the charts - The Vine striker Matt Ellis (right) is leading the way in the twentytwo sponsored Leading Scorer tables with 18 CBC Premier goals, while just three behind him are two players from Division Two, Jan Horvath of FC Spartak and Steelers Blake Owen. Two more behind them is Division One's leading scorer, John Mellor on 13. (This item previously said Matt Ellis had scored 16 goals, but after checking our records he has scored 18)

19 Jan 2014 - TAYLOR&EMMET SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP - The Pheasant & Southey both win thrillers - The Blades Super Draw League will have two semi finalists in the Taylor&Emmet Sunday Junior Cup after both The Pheasant and Southey Social came from behind to win thrillers. Division Two The Pheasant were three down before a Carl Andrews double helped them come back to beat Sunday Imperial Division One leaders Wyvern, while Southey needed extra time and two goals each for John Mellor and Chris Roberts to beat fellow Blades Super Draw Division One side Old Blue Ball.

A disastrous fifteen minute spell saw The Pheasant go three down as Wyvern tore into them, but Shane Andrews’s fourteenth goal in the competition gave The Pheasant some belief and a Joe McKernan header saw them go into the break just a goal behind. A poor start after the break saw Wyvern grab their fourth, but The Pheasant were given a lifeline back into the game when Dylan Parrott was brought down in the area and he picked himself up to score from the spot. The impetus was now all with The Pheasant and they drew level when Carl Andrews kept up his record of goals in every round and after being set up by Parrott, he then equalled his brother Shane’s fourteen goal tally in the competition to win a pulsating tie.

Southey Social started their tie at Old Blue Ball on the front foot, but they paid for missing three good chances when Tom Thornton took advantage of a scramble in the Southey penalty area to put Ball ahead. The game flowed from end to end and just before the break Southey drew level when John Mellor was tripped in the box and he picked himself up to score.

The second half continued with play switching from end to end and this time it was Southey that took the lead when Chris Roberts produced a great strike. It was Ball’s turn to bounce back with a goal by Callum Chambers and they almost took the lead again when they struck the bar. Mellor also had a chance to win it for Southey when he went through one-on-one with the keeper only to blaze over the bar.

Extra time saw Southey take control with a second from Roberts and a second penalty from Mellor after Marcus Pass had been felled in the area. After a handball in the box, Ball hit back with a penalty of their own by Chambers, but solid defending and some terrific goalkeeping by man of the match Andy Guest saw Southey hold on to join The Pheasant in the semi finals.

CBC PREM - Wham Bam wins it for Service, while Steels Savage Villa - A terrific display by keeper Carl Whitby (right) and a Wes Bamford strike saw Civil Service win the battle of the top two, while a Mitchell Savage hat-trick saw Stocksbridge Park Steels pip Hemsworth Villa. Two Jon Wall goals helped Redmires to a narrow win over Woodhouse Angel, while two Craig Senior earned Ecclesfield Players Lounge a draw against The Park.

Although it was Wes Bamford’s goal that gave Sheffield Civil Service the points at title rivals Stannington Village, it was Service keeper Carl Whitby’s display that proved to be the real difference between the CBC Premier’s top two, in a game that could have a big bearing on the eventual destination of the title.

Current champions Stannington started the better of the two and in the fifth minute Rob Shelley’s near post flick from a Sean Flynn corner brought a great save out of the Civil keeper Carl Whitby. Soon after Robin Elliott thought he had given Stannington the lead when his neat turn and shot in the box looked destined for the top corner until Whitby’s fingers tipped it over the bar.

Civil Service began to grow into the game and midway through the half it took a goalline clearance to deny Gregg Dumpleton a rare goal. It was then Stannington keeper Nathan Ryan’s turn to show his abilities to save Paul Billard's drive from the edge of the area. Billard then shot wide before Civil had a penalty shout for handball turned down against Dan Green as the first half ended goalless,

Civil manager Richard Smith made a double change at half time replacing Luke Parwana and Andy Bath with Gavin Wills and Stacy Sharif, but the changes seemed to be backfiring on him as Stannington got on top. Sami Eric had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside by referee Paul Matthewson and he also turned two penalty shouts down, before Eric then missed a golden opportunity when he put his header wide.

The Civil back four kept their composure and after they had weathered the storm, a quick break out of defence with just fifteen minutes remaining saw them grab the game’s only goal. When a Stannington attack broke down the ball was quickly switched to Stacy Sharif and his lightening pace took him clear of the Stannington defence. Although his shot was blocked, it came out to Wes Bamford (left) who took a touch before steering the ball into the far corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Stannington tried to respond and threw everything they could at the Civil defence. It looked to have worked when their sub, the former Civil striker Gavin Davis, broke through to finally beat Whitby, but centre back Gareth Griffiths managed to get back and clear it off the line via the crossbar.

The home side continued to press forward and when Davis’s left wing cross found John Saville his header looked certain to find the net until man of the match Whitby twisted to turn the ball onto the bar and over. In the dying seconds Dean Jepson also had a chance to level, but put his free header wide leaving Civil Service to take home the points and open up a three point gap at the top of the table.

The teams:

Stannington Village: Nathan Ryan, John Alcock, Bill Green, Dan Green, John Saville, Rob Shelley, Lee Johnstone (C), Luke Mitchell, Sean Flynn, Robin Elliott, Ben Cook. Subs: Joe Barker, Gavin Davis, Sami Eric, Dean Jepson.

Sheffield Civil Service: Carl Whitby, Gregg Dumpleton, Ben Sanderson, John Charles, Ben Brown (C), Gareth Griffiths, Danny Wattam, Luke Parwana, Andy Bath, Paul Billard, Wes Bamford. Subs: Matthew Betts, Stacy Sharif, Tom Stubbs, Chris Fowler, Gavin Wills

Referee: Paul Matthewson

A Mitchell Savage (right) hat-trick helped Stocksbridge Park Steels to a 3-2 home win over a stubborn Hemsworth Villa and move back up to fourth in the CBC Premier. Steels took the lead when a Kev Davies cross was headed out to Mitchell Savage and his instant shot found the net. John Ward then had an effort disallowed for offside as Steels put the Villa defence under pressure, so it was against the run of play when Joe Howsham levelled after being fed by Tom Staniforth.

Steels went back in front at the start of the second half when Adam Todd’s shot was blocked and Savage followed up to score. There was more than an element of luck about his third when his cross eluded everyone to find the net and after that Steels created and missed a host of chances to kill the game off. Villa held on and when Jack Waddle put Howsham through, he scored his second to put the Steels nerves on edge. Howsham was then denied a hat-trick by the keepers foot and Steels held on. See action from the game below:

Redmires’ revival continued with a hard earned 3-2 victory over a Woodhouse Angel that is now just a point above the drop zone. Jon Wall gave Redmires the lead, but a poor clearance by their keeper fell straight to Scott Riley and he lobbed the ball back over the keeper’s head to send Angel in level at the break. Redmires should have gone back in front at the start of the second half when Dave Knaggs was fouled in the penalty area, but Wall’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by Angel keeper Spencer Starkes.

Redmires did get back in front though when Nick Hague brought Knaggs down in the area again and this time Matt Reay took the responsibility to score from the spot. Hague was dismissed as he was the last man and Redmires made their numerical advantage count to extend their lead with a second goal by Wall, but Angel refused to lie down  and pulled one back with a Kirk Briddon free kick. Angel’s Mark Barraclough then hit a post as they searched for an unlikely point, but Redmires held on.

The Park lost more ground in the title race when a last minute Craig Senior equaliser gave Ecclesfield Players Lounge a deserved 3-3 draw. Ecclesfield got on top early in the game and after missing a couple of similar chances, Gavin Hunter ran through from the halfway line to put them ahead. It soon got better for them when Senior scored his tenth of the season, but The Park got back into it when Ryan Campbell fired home a loose ball in the area. The Park levelled after the break when Jack Ridge got on the end of a Josh Ransom free kick and they looked to have won it when Campbell scored his second with just four minutes remaining, but a ball over the top found Senior and he rounded the keeper to score his second and give his side a point.

DIV 1 - Oughtibridge go top, while Lounge come from two down to beat Oaks and Anston pip Loxley - In Division One, the leaders at the start of the day, Norton Oaks ‘A’ let a two goal lead slip before going down to a Players Lounge Athletic that ended it’s poor run. Danny Reet put Oaks ahead when he found space and time in the area to smash the ball into the top corner and when Billy Ireland beat the offside trap he doubled Oaks’ lead by chipping the keeper. Lounge hit back after the break and pulled one back when David Ibbotson’s (left) pace beat the offside trap before scoring. Danny Marcus was then introduced into the game and with his first touch his deflected shot found the net to level the scores. Lounge were now on top so it was no surprise when full back Joe Buxton whipped in a cross for Lewis Grist to head their winner.

That result allowed Oughtibridge WM to take top spot with a 3-1 victory over Fox & Hounds. They had to come from behind though after a Lewis Turton free kick gave Fox a half time lead. After the break, Sean Lee put one chance wide before he crossed for David Sheakey to head the equaliser and Oughtibridge took the lead when Strachan Sampson’s shot came back off a post and Danny Clinton nipped in to knock home the rebound. Clinton was then felled in the box, allowing Matt Dodd to step up and score the new leaders third.

Anston Athletic celebrated their new sponsorship by The Backyard Grill Bar by completing their first home win of the season over fellow strugglers Loxley. Steve Mayfield put Loxley ahead and although David Gribben levelled for Anston, they were behind again when Tim Pitt netted Loxley’s second. Anston hit back a second time with a Will Hutchinson strike and they gained the win their second half performance deserved when Charlie Baird fired home their winner in the final minute. See action from the game below:

DIV 2 - Steelers come from behind to beat the leaders, while Intake make up ground and Sharrow win a ten goal thriller - After Nicky Shaw had given them the lead, Division Two leaders Phoenix slipped to their second away defeat of the season at fellow promotion challengers Steelers. Brad Oxley played Blake Owen (right) in to blast home Steelers equaliser before the break and in the second half when Owen was fouled in the area Liam Garrett stepped up to put Steelers in front. Kaiden Simpson then settled it with Steelers third.

Intake Old Boys stepped up their promotion challenge with a 2-0 home win over Norton Oaks ‘B’. Daniel Nelson fired home in the first minute to put Intake in front before a handball in the area allowed Louis Axcell to net their second from the spot, but in the second half Axcell missed from the spot when Intake were awarded a second penalty.

Sharrow Vale caused one of the shocks of the day when they came from behind three times to earn a 6-4 victory at an in-form Pen Nook. Jake Grimstone’s early opener for Nook was cancelled out by John Matterson, but Nook went back in front with a Paul Randall goal. Bede McMillan headed home at the back post to level a second time and although Nook went back in front a third time with Grimstone’s second, Sharrow went into the break level thanks to a Tom Wray strike. Vale took control in the second half as Joe Lovatt and Richard Cooper goals gave them a two goal lead and although Ash Green scored the goal of the game to pull one back for Nook it was Sharrow that had the final say when Matterson scored his second from the penalty spot after Lovatt had been brought down in the area.

13 Jan 2014 - Referees for Sunday 19 Jan now listed - The referees for Sunday 19 January are now listed on the website. Home teams MUST contact them immediately to confirm the games with them.

12 Jan 2014 - CBC PREM - Danny wins Turner prize for Ecclesfield - On a day when the hard overnight frost put paid to all but four games, Danny Turner (left) capped his man of the match performance for Ecclesfield Players Lounge with two goals in their 6-2 victory at Bulls Head, a result that moved Ecclesfield out of the bottom three and dimmed Bulls Head's title hopes a little further. Ryan Keeney blasted home a thirty yard free kick to give Ecclesfield the lead, but when Alan Mowforth’s corner wasn’t cleared, Greg Broomhead fed the ball back to Mowforth and his drilled cross found Sam Newton sliding in to equalise.

Ecclesfield soon got their noses back in front when Turner hit a left foot volley past the keeper and just before half time they doubled that lead when leading scorer Craig Senior scored his eighth league goal of the season. The second half continued with Ecclesfield in charge and Turner netted his second from Gavin Hunter’s cross before Senior broke away from the Bulls Head defence to hit his ninth of the season. Mowforth fired home from an acute angle to pull one back for for the home side, but it was Ecclesfield that had the final say when Hunter struck home their sixth from the edge of the penalty area.

DIV 1 - Danny's the boy for Oughtibridge as they win at Oaks - Oughtibridge WM made themselves very firm favourites for the Division One title after two goals from recent signing Danny Clinton (right) helped them to a 4-2 win at leaders Norton Oaks ‘A’ and Oughtibridge now stand just a point behind them with five games in hand. The pace of Clinton and strike partner Justin Westoby caused problems for Norton right from the start so it was no surprise when Clinton’s turn and run left the home side defence standing before Clinton coolly beat the keeper to give Oughtibridge the lead.

After being found by Matt Cundy, Westoby missed a great chance to double that lead, but when Strachan Sampson set him free on the half way line, Westoby raced away to score his side’s second. Coel Fulton slotted past the keeper to pull one back for Norton, but they went into the break two down after Matt Cundy was first to a rebound off the keeper. The second half saw Clinton score his second after finding himself one-on-one with the keeper and he almost completed his hat-trick when he struck a post. With David Sheakey in commanding form at the back for Oughtibridge, they never really looked letting Norton back into the game, although Norton did pull one back when Billy Ireland was felled in the box and Danny Reet scored from the spot.

DIV 2 - Matt finishes off Colley to push Crookes up to second - Despite the freezing temperatures Colley found Crookes & District’s Matt Cowen too hot to handle and his hat-trick helped Crookes to a 5-0 victory that lifts Crookes up to second in Division Two, just a point behind the leaders. Colley started off well enough and missed a couple of chances that might have changed the course of the game, but when the chance came Cowen’s way he showed them how to finish to put Crookes ahead. He grabbed his second before half time and completed his hat-trick after the break. Mike Dobson struck Crookes’ fourth before Chris Cottyn completed the scoring with his tenth of the season.

The day’s other game saw Jan Horvath score twice as FC Spartak overcame Chapeltown RBL 5-2. Horvath’s goals and one from Michal Ziga had Spartak three up before Pen Palmer pulled one back for Chapeltown, but Spartak’s three goal lead was restored by a Ladislav Ziga strike. Chapeltown kept plugging away and Jack Senior grabbed a second goal for them and they would have really been back in the game had Palmer not missed a sitter. Palmer then hit the bar with another effort, but any thoughts of a comeback were finally quashed when Jan Sandor hit Spartak’s fifth.

5 Jan 2014 - CBC PREM - Bulls Head get overwhelmed by The Vine, while Knaggs & Townsend trebles lift Redmires & The Park - Last season’s CBC Premier runners-up Bulls Head travelled to third placed The Vine in the knowledge that victory would take them above their hosts, while the home side’s incentive was that victory for them would put them level on points with the two teams above them and it was The Vine's incentive that proved to be much the stronger as they continued their title charge by making it five consecutive wins with an 8-1 thrashing of their visitors.

The Vine flew straight out of the blocks and after putting the Bulls Head under immediate pressure they took the lead in the fifth minute when Brent Healey played the perfect pass for Liam Allott to outpace the Bulls Head defence before firing his eighth goal of the season past the visitor’s keeper. The Vine continued to put the visitors under severe pressure and a second goal quickly followed when Danny Seaman crossed for leading scorer Matt Ellis to score.

Bulls Head’s defence continued to look likely to concede each time The Vine came forward and the home side extended their lead when Allott put Ellis through for him to chip in his second. The Vine was showing their visitors no mercy and with just twenty minutes on the clock the game was as good as over when Danny Seaman took Allott’s pass in his stride before chipping the keeper from twenty yards to make it 4-0.

Although the Bulls Head defence at last managed to stem the tide and have their fair share of possession, they continued to look vulnerable to the Vine’s quick breaks and just before the half time break Rikki Davidson used his strength and pace to go past a static defence and beat keeper Matt Coates for his fifth goal of the season.

Half time: 5-0

Bulls Head manager Paul Baxter-Gibson made some formation changes during the break and his half time team talk seemed to have done the trick when a good move saw them reduce the arrears within a couple of minutes of the re-start. The move started from the back and when the ball came to Nick Ash he squared it for Liam Bonnick to fire the ball home with the aid of a deflection off defender Shaun Brunt.

Despite enjoying a good proportion of the possession, that was as good as it got for the visitors though and The Vine attack soon exposed the visitors defensive frailties again with their sixth goal. Another quick break found Matt Ellis and he completed his hat trick by chesting the ball down on the edge of the box before volleying past Dan Simpson in The Vine goal.

Ellis then confirmed his place as the League’s current leading scorer by scoring his fourth of the day and sixteenth league goal of the season when heading home from an Allott cross. Craig Woolley then completed the scoring with a powerful header from a Seaman corner. Although the victory took The Vine level on points with the top two, they remain in third place as both the top two have a goal difference of nineteen while The Vine’s goal difference is one less on eighteen.

The Teams:

The Vine: Dan Simpson, Christian Nixon, Andrew Marsh, Shaun Brunt, Andrew Jenkinson, Rikki Davidson, Danny Seaman, Craig Woolley, Brent Healey, Liam Allott, Matt Ellis. Subs: Will Blakeney, Andrew Drummond, Chris Shirtcliffe, Jon Warburton, James Green.

Bulls Head: Matt Coates, Tom Cocker, Greg Broomhead, Daniel Bonnick, Sam Newton, Phil Jenkins, John Kentzer, Mark Bryant, Nick Ash, Alan Mowforth, Liam Bonnick, Subs: Chris Peel, Jordan Barton, Kerry Dixon John Marples.

Referee: Kevin Bridges

There was also a big win for a Redmires, with a Dave Knaggs treble helping them to victory over Hemsworth Villa. Villa started well and only a good save prevented James Ireland from giving them the lead and he wasted another good chance by firing over the bar. Once Redmires got going though there was no stopping them and they opened the scoring when Chris Cotterill’s diagonal pass found Jon Wall and he applied the finish. Wall then turned provider for leading scorer Dave Knaggs to hit his seventh of the season.

Knaggs eighth soon followed with a half volley and Redmires further increased their lead when Ben Graney applied the finish to a short corner routine. Knaggs then turned provider for both Ben Palmer and Mikey Taylor to score, and Knaggs had the final say by completing his hat-trick for a 7-0 victory that lifted Redmires off the bottom of the table and left Villa there instead. Action from the game is below.

The Park ended their run of just one point from their last three games as a Mark Townsend treble helped them to a 6-2 victory over Ecclesfield Players Lounge. Ecclesfield started the better and Danny Turner gave them the lead and they would have extended it had Craig Senior converted after finding himself one-on-one with the keeper. Andy Baxter also shot over when well placed and they paid for those misses when, just before the break, good work on the wing by Adi Tomlin paved the way for Dave Hook to equalise.

The Park began the second half on top and took the lead when they were awarded a penalty that was converted by Townsend. Ecclesfield responded and soon levelled with Senior’s seventh of the season, but just three minutes later Townsend picked up a loose ball to restore The Park’s lead. Ryan Campbell then scored a great solo goal to increase their lead before netting his second with an equally impressive long range shot. With ten minutes remaining, man of the match Townsend completed the scoring with his third.

DIV 1 - A different Storey as Anston win at last  - Anston Athletic climbed of the bottom after a Mark Storey double set them on their way to their first win of the season, 5-2 at Cobden View. After Storey’s double Cobden View reduced the arrears when Dave Beckett scrambled the ball home and they went into the break level after Joe Taylor’s left foot shot found the top corner. Jamie Ward restored Anston’s lead after the break and this time they didn’t let their hosts back in and confirmed their first win of the season with two goals from Scott Hyndman

Norton Oaks 'A' stay top despite not playing as second place Brinsworth Whitehill's poor away form saw them slip to their fifth defeat, 4-2 at an Old Blue Ball back in the promotion reckoning. Laurence Matthewson headed home a John Morgan corner to give Ball the lead and Morgan soon extended it. Callum Chambers made it three before the break, but the second half saw Brinsworth get back into the game with goals from Ryan Watson and Ross Johnson. Their hopes of salvaging a point though were dashed when man of the match Mitch Husband danced past three challengers to net Ball’s fourth.

Third place Players Lounge Athletic also dropped points when they let a two goal lead slip as a Harry O’Neill hat-trick earned promotion rivals Fox & Hounds a 3-3 draw. Lewis Grist gave Lounge a half time lead and although O’Neill’s first levelled the scores, Lounge looked to have clinched the points with two John Langley goals. Lounge also hit a post and and forced two good saves out of the Fox keeper. Lounge were struggling to defend set pieces though and O’Neill got himself onto the end of two free kicks to earn Fox their point.

Southey Social's good run continues as a John Mellor hat-trick helped them to a 6-2 win at Ranch. It was the home side that took an early lead when Oliver Whittaker scored following a corner, but Danny Lindley was causing them real problems and after equalising he scored his second to put Southey in front. Chris Roberts made it 3-1 before the break and when Danny Lindley intercepted a back pass he was brought down in the area, allowing John Mellor to score his first from the spot. Mellor then produced a wonder strike for his second and after Adam Hadfield had pulled one back for Ranch, Mellor completed his hat-trick when man of the match Lindley squared the ball for him.

DIV 2 - Billy has leaders in a Tazzy, while The Pheasant smash Colley - Division Two leaders Phoenix dropped two surprise points at third bottom Pen Nook and only Nicky Shaw’s second of the game stopped them crashing to defeat. After Shaw had given Nook a half time lead, Joe Kangley produced a sublime lob from forty yards to bring Nook level and when Tazzyman put them in front a real shock was possible until Shaw’s second gave Phoenix a 2-2 draw.

The Pheasant confirmed their place as title favourites as Dylan Parrott netted their one hundredth goal in all competitions in a 10-1 demolition of Colley. Sane Andrews opened the scoring and Dean Williams added a second from a corner. Shane Andrews then set up his brother Carl to make it three before Shane netted his second. Scott Bingley got his name on the scoresheet before Carl Andrews netted his second with a low drive, but the honour of his side’s one hundredth goal of the season went to Parrott. Andy Mitchell made it eight before Shane Andrews completed his hat-trick and Lewis Fothergill made it ten. Corey Stewart grabbed a late goal for Colley, but it will have been little consolation to them.

Another hat-trick came from Adam Clayton as Intake Old Boys stepped up their promotion bid with a 5-0 victory over Chapeltown RBL. Matt Hunter gave Intake a first minute lead before Clayton netted his first two. A well worked corner routine saw Louis Axcell score off a post, before man of the match Clayton scored his third before half time.

A Gareth Morley double helped Crookes & District keep their promotion bid going with a 5-3 victory over Norton Oaks 'B'. Morley scored his first from a Lee Wharton free kick before a Wharton corner was headed home by Luke Boast. With just fifteen minutes gone, Morley netted his second before James Lockhart met Steve Reynalds cross to pull one back for Norton. Chirs Cottyn grabbed a fourth for Crookes, but just before the break Jamie Marshall netted a second for Norton. Rob Acheson netted Crookes fifth after the break and although Marshall scored his second from Lockhart’s cross, Crookes lead was never really threatened.

After falling behind to Matej Dunka’s goal for FC Spartak, Blake Owen and Liam Garrett goals saw Steelers take the lead. Martin Horvath levelled for Spartak, but the points went to Steelers after Owen scored his second and Garrett netted his second from the penalty spot.

3 Jan 2014 - Andy Stevens calls it a day - One of the best ever servants to the League, Handsworth Turf's Andy Stevens (right), has decided to finally hang up his boots to concentrate on his family life. Andy was a member of Handsworth's Macron Cup winning team at Bramall Lane in 2008 and has played and scored, for Handsworth Turf for nineteen continuous seasons - a record unlikely to ever be bettered in the League. During his time in the League he has always upheld the behaviours the League wants all it's players to achieve, so Andy will be a big loss to both Turf and the League, but we wish him and his family well for the future