8 MARCH – CBC PREMIER – Platts treble keeps Stannington in the hunt, but Earl still favourites –Royal Earl will retain the title if they win their final two games after winning 2-1 at Boynton Sports. Johno Williams hit a 30 yard free kick to put Earl ahead and Liam O Brien made it 2-0 with a simple finish. Boyton did all they could to break the Earl defence and they finally did it late in the game with a Jake Gamban goal, but Earl saw the game out.

Stannington Village are now the only team that can deny Royal Earl the title after a 5-0 victory over Southey Social. They took the lead when a corner fell to Dan White and he volleyed high in the roof of the net. They doubled the lead before half-time when Sam Hackett crossed for Aemad Gadour to rise well and head over the keeper,

On the hour Joel Purkiss’ pass allowed sub Connor Platts to net his first and soon after the same pair combined again for Platts to tap home his second. Platts completed his hat-rick when a cross-field ball from Tom Staniland found Purkiss and he squared for Platts to score at the second attempt. Had it not been for Southey’s keeper and MOM Rob Oxley making some outstanding saves the score would have been much more

Relegation threatened Nailmakers moved further away from the drop with a 3-1 victory over a Woodman side now just one more result away from certain relegation. Nailmakers started very slow and couldn't really get a foot hold in the game then it went from bad to worse when a defensive mix up lead to Ryan Hall giving Woodman the lead. This gave Nailmakers the kick they needed and Andy Taylor get on the end of a cross to put the teams level at the break.

After the break Nailmakers had a change of shape which worked to their advantage and they took the lead with a Dan Beech header. Shortly after it was 3-1 when Jack Joyce nodded home from a scrabble in the box. Nailmakers kept the ball well to make sure Woodman couldn't get back into it.

Jubilee entertained neighbours Wadsley Bridge Sixers for a game which both sides were determined to win, but it was Sixers that came away with the points thanks to a single George Rudd strike. Jubilee started out of the traps fast and created plenty of chances, but couldn’t make them count and Wadsley made them pay a great cross in was tapped home by Rudd. Jubilee rallied and created more and more chances but couldn’t make them count and the same story continued into the second half but Sixers held firm to get the win.

Eckington kept up the chase for a top three finish by edging a tight game with former champions Chapeltown RBL 1-0. The decisive moment came midway through the first half when after a quick break forward the ball fell to the feet of Aiden Horspool and he rifled it home.

RBL pushed hard after the break and created several promising chances. Afonso Ferreira twice came closest to equalising, one effort rolled just wide of the post, while another was denied by a strong save from the Eckington goalkeeper. Morgan Cowell also had two good attempts in the second half as RBL increased the pressure in search of a leveller, but Eckington held firm. At the other end, Lewis Fox played a key role in keeping Chap RBL in the game, producing a number of impressive saves throughout the match to prevent Eckington from extending their lead. Despite the late pressure and several near misses, Chap RBL couldn’t find the equaliser and Eckington held on to secure the win.

8 MARCH - DIVISION 1 – Hackenthorpe stay top, but Crookes slip up at Reds –Leaders Hackenthorpe came away from promotion rivals AFC Wisewood with a narrow 3-2 victory. Hackenthorpe took the lead when Aston Thompson provided the pass for Chad Gibson tap in. They doubled their lead when a fast paced cross from Harrison Case found a sliding Xavier Dandrade at back post.

Wisewood came out second half with grit between their teeth and goals from Will Osgathorpe and Oliver Scott brought them level. With game on a knife edge it could have gone either way with game opening up and chances at both ends. None were taken until Kydn Gray found Nathan Hunt in space, and he in turn found Xavier Dandrade’s dancing feet in an area with legs flying all over, but he composed himself and nestled the ball into bottom corner with his wrong foot for the winner. Pictures from the game shown below.

Mosborough Reds moved up to third with a 3-1 victory over a Crookes that had a depleted squad. Goals from Harrison Barker, Ash Hotchin and Ben Dronfield in first half put Reds in control and although Crookes pulled one back through Oli McQuillin mid-way through second they couldn’t breach the Reds defence again.

Brunsmeer gained their second away win of the season in style with a 5-1 victory over Kelham Island. Gareth Murdoch did most of the damage with four goals along with one from Taylor Askham. Oliver Maltby netted one for Kelham mid-way through the second half, but never really looked like getting back into the game.

Baby Shark gained their best win of the season with a 5-1 victory over Cotts. First half goals from Jahmal Riley, Cole Whitham and Keiron Sykes-Tobin put Shark in control. Roma Myers and Dan Ramsey added two more after the break making Chris Salt’s penalty for Cotts just a consolation.