169 SYACL goals in a hectic 5-a-side afternoon at Goals Doncaster.
It was dry, but bitterly cold for Matchday 2 of the South Yorkshire Ability Counts held in front of a big crowd at Goals Doncaster on Sunday (21st November), and most of the players had their shooting boots on as the net bulged 169 times in over two hours of competition. As always, www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com Website Editor Margaret Gregory and her team of ace match reporters missed none of the action on another thrilling afternoon.
Three County Cup ties kicked off the afternoon, and the Wembley dream is still alive for City Knights (Red), Sheffield FC (Black) and Derek Dooley FC (White). Dooley (White) were up against Doncaster FC (Ladies), a game watched by Dooley’s Claire Cowlishaw, “The White team started the afternoon on their cup campaign against the Doncaster Ladies,” Claire told syacl.com. “This was a tough match; the Doncaster goalkeeper had an outstanding match and kept them in it for a while. Brandon opened the scoring and had one disallowed; the team did well and went on to win the match and progress into the quarter finals.”
Cup dream over then, for Titans ladies’ team. “The match started off with some lovely play between both sides and you wouldn’t have believed there is a league difference between each team. The game was played in a lovely nature and the Titans Ladies were very unlucky to concede the first goal. They put pressure on to get the equaliser, but Derek Dooley (White) scored another one to make it two.”
Derek Dooley Blue team exited the County Cup after a loss to Sheffield Black. Claire from Dooley again summed up the game. “The team started their cup campaign against Premier side Sheffield Black; this was a tough game for the 5 of them, with no subs. They started off with solid defending by Cody and great goalkeeping from Ryan. They took the double lead with good shots, but the heads didn’t go down and with a smile Believe scored, and there was some good play by Rueben and Adursh. The play was end-to-end and saw Sheffield take the lead to 6-3 with another goal from Rueben and Adursh. The cup dream is over.”
Cup defeat too for Spartans who went down bravely to Premier side City Knights White.
“Spartans started off strongly,” their coach Darren Sharp explained. “They took the lead through a brilliant individual goal, however, soon after Knights equalised & quickly took control by taking a healthy 6-1 lead at half-time. In the second-half Spartans managed to claw a few goals back from Jacob & Matt, but City Knights eventually proved too strong.”
Into the Premier League, and a narrow win for Dooley White against Titans Blue. “This was a closer game and Luke opened the scoring,” Claire told us. “They equalised and there was some very good defending from Jordan B and good goalkeeping from Craig; the shots that did get past him were good shots, hard for him to stop. Dooley took the lead and then back to a draw, but they came out winners 3-2; this gave the lads a boost.”
Titans John Hibbert watched the same, thrilling game. “We got off to a good start; first Jamie scored assisted by Connor which made it 1 – 0,” John reported. “Connor scored to make it 2 – 0 and we thought we were going to win our first game, but Derek Dooley had other ideas. At half-time we were winning 2 – 0, but I changed some players and I think I maybe weakened the team and Derek Dooley scored to make it 2 – 1. We then got a free kick and Danny went for goal and the keeper saved it, and that gave them hope. They scored but just before the whistle they scored again which made it 3- 2 to Derek Dooley, but what a game!”
“This was the best the blue team has played all season.”
Bradford City DFC made a good start to the afternoon with a narrow win over Sheffield FC Black. Bradford’s Paul Jubb reported, “The Greens only had 5 players and started their day against joint leaders Sheffield FC. In a tight 1st-half man of the match Jason got the 1st goal, a wonder strike from half-way. Sheffield FC pulled 1 back. In the 2nd-half it was all one way, but the Sheffield FC keeper was unbelievable, pulling out save after save, but eventually we got the goal our play deserved with another great goal from Ethan.”
Dooley (White) finished their afternoon with a loss to City Knights [Red]. Here’s Claire’s take on the game from a Dooley perspective. “The final game in the cold against City Knights Red, was a harder match for the lads; they started well, working together, all needing to defend against a strong side. There was some lovely play by Birthday boy Mo but his shot was saved. They managed to get a shot past Craig, giving them a lead; they continued to battle hard and had to defend with Jordan B being solid in defence, but they took a 3-0 lead. We scored a consolation goal finishing 3-1, but this was the best performance of the day by the team despite the loss.”
“They showed good skills and teamwork by them all. Well, done lads!”
The final Premier Division game of the afternoon saw Titans (Blue) go down after a terrific battle with Bradford City (Green). Titans’ John Hibbert reports. “First Conner scored 1 – 0 then they scored. They got a penalty and scored 2 – 1 then Bradford was awarded a free kick and scored; 3 – 1 at half time. I subbed Addison for Connor and he scored again, so then it was 3 – 2 but they got a wayward shot which the lads thought was going wide, but it crept in so Bradford won 4 – 2.”
Bradford’s Paul Jubb added, “in our Greens second game, we were too strong for Club Doncaster Titans; Charlie 2, Ethan & Jason were the scorers. The opposition keeper again making numerous saves.
In other Premier fixtures, City Knights(Red) won their first fixture of the afternoon against Sheffield Black by 3-1.
After two match days and four games, Bradford Green head the table with a one hundred percent record; they lead City Knights Red by just three points. Sheffield FC (Black) are three further points behind, and Dooley White are fourth with their one win. The improving Titans Blue will look forward to getting off the mark in December’s fixtures.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Bradford City FITC Disability Green | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | City Knights Red | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| 3 | Sheffield FC Disability 5-a-side (Black) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 4 | Derek Dooley Football Academy White | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | Club Doncaster Titans FC (Adult) Blue | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Into the Championship then, and a narrow defeat for Club Doncaster Titans Ladies at the hands of Sheffield FC Purple. Titan’s Martin Taylor told syacl.com. “This was another really close game between teams. Both keepers were pulling off save after save keeping it level; but the game was turned by a goal to Sheffield FC. Titan’s Ladies kept battling on, but unfortunately could not get the equaliser to get the draw they deserved.”
Bradford City DFC Fuchsia went down to Sheffield FC Purple after a cracking game. “The ladies team only had 4 players on the day,” Paul Jubb told us, “and went down 3 – 0 in the 1st-half, Sheffield FC then went down to 4 players and the Ladies scored 3 goals in the second half, Harriet with 2, and Anna the scorers.”
Title chasing Inter Barton Inclusive Football Club were convincing winners over Bradford City Diamonds. “Barton were too strong on the day,” Bradford’s Paul Jubb admitted, “and nothing seemed to go right for the Diamonds. Despite some good saves from Mark, they still lost 4- 0.” Barton marched on with a good win over Bradford City DFC Fuchsia, watched by Paul Jubb. ”The ladies again played with just 4 players and lost 6 – 3 to top of the table Barton who again played just 4 players. The girls did themselves proud and were all stars on the day. Anna scored two and there was an own goal.”
Titans’ Ladies final game of the day saw them reach a fantastic landmark – their first point of the campaign after it finished Bradford City (Diamonds) 3 – 3 Club Doncaster Titans Ladies. “Titans Ladies kept fighting, like they have been doing all day, and it paid off for them as we scored first with a goal by Nikita and an assist by Sheridan,” Martin explained. “Both teams kept battling on and Bradford managed to equalise making it 1 – 1. The game stepped up another level and Titans Ladies managed to score another goal from Nikita; and then Bradford managed to equalised to make it 2 – 2 at half-time. Bradford started the second-half the better team, but some brilliant saves by Kaz Roberts in the Titans net kept the score level, however a fluke goal by Bradford made it 3 – 2. The Titans Ladies kept battling on and deserved an equaliser; with more brilliant saves from Kaz Roberts keeping them in the game. Then the Titans Ladies broke away and Sheridan passed the ball Nikita who scored her third goal and completed a hat trick, making the game 3 – 3 at the final whistle.”
“I was so proud of each of the Ladies in getting their first points of the campaign. It was great to stand in again, as their manager on the day,” Martin summed up.
Bradford’s Paul Jubb admitted that it had been a wonderful game with a fair result. “In a great game of end to end football; Harry, Matty and Hashim scored the goals, but the Doncaster ladies kept battling to deservedly get their first point of the season.”
Barton Inter head the table with four wins from four games, giving them a six-point advantage over Bradford City Women’s team and Sheffield FC (Purple). Bradford Diamonds have four points, and Titans’ Ladies are off the mark after that stunning draw with the Diamonds.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Barton Inclusive Football Club Inter Bar | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | Bradford City FITC Disability Women’s | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Sheffield FC 5’s (Purple) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 4 | Bradford City FITC Disability Diamonds | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | Club Doncaster Titans FC (Adult) Ladies | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
In League One, Derek Dooley Blue had a good win over Spartans. “It was a League game next for Dooley Blue against Spartans, who played more of their players, and this was a good-natured game which saw them take the lead from Believe and Rueben,” Claire told us. “It saw some good defending by Cody and good goalkeeping by Ryan. Believe got his hat trick and also Rueben and Adursh scored with the game finishing 9-3. Rueben ended up with a ball to the face, which put him out for the next match.”
Spartans Martin Sharp admitted that it had been a tough twenty minutes. “Spartans were indebted to Jake for some brilliant goalkeeping and defensive interceptions by Sam & Dom & Oliver, which kept the score fairly close. A couple of early goals by Matt kept Spartans in the match during the first-half, but as in their first match the players were struggling with their opponent’s superiority.”
Dooley Blue rounded off the afternoon with another brilliant encounter against Rawmarsh St. Joseph’s Social Eyes Green. “The Dooley team tried the hardest with 4 players and was a good match,” Claire told us. “Within 3 minutes it was 1 – 1; then Believe scored with a toe poke taking it to 2 – 1 and then he got his hat trick taking it to 3 – 1. Ryan made some good saves and with solid defending by Cody, they brought it back to 3 – 3. The game then swung in the favour of Rawmarsh 4 – 3, Adursh equalled it up, 4 – 4, Rawmarsh scored again and then Believe scored again with the score going to 5 – 4, then 5 – 5 and the last-minute saw Rawmarsh take the lead to win 6 – 5. The team of 4 did show amazing perseverance, so well done to all our players!”
Elsewhere in League One, City Knights (White) went down to Social Eyes Green in a thrilling encounter but beat Aston Swallownest in their next game.
That narrow win preserved Rawmarsh St. Joseph Social Eyes Green’s unbeaten record and they lead the table by three points from City Knights (White) and Derek Dooley (Blue), both of whom have nine points. Aston Swallownest and Spartans will be looking forward to getting off the mark at Goals Sheffield next month.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Rawmarsh St Joseph’s J.F.C. Social Eyes | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | City Knights White | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| 3 | Derek Dooley Football Academy Blue | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| 4 | Aston Swallownest Juniors Disability Tea | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | Spartans FC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
In League Two, Titans Yellow won a high scoring battle with Rawmarsh Social Eyes White. “First shot for Titans and Christian scored to make it 1 – 0; Christian then made it 2 – 0 and Barney made it 3 – 0 with a great goal,” Liam Taylor told us. “Barney scored to make 4 – 0 and Social eyes made it 4 – 1. Brad then saved a penalty and Social Eyes scored making it 5 – 2. Barney completed his hat trick to make 6 – 2 and Paul scored 7 – 2. Social Eyes had another penalty and Brad saved it again, then Thomas scored to make it 8 – 2. Social eyes made it 8 -3 and Titans made it 9 – 3 thanks to Paul’s hat trick.”
“It was a great performance from the Titans yellow team: I am really proud of each and every one of them – they played great.”
Derek Dooley Green started their afternoon with a League match against Bradford Emeralds,” Claire from Derek Dooley told syacl.com. “Bethany had a good half in the goal stopping many shots, Dooley took the lead by a good run up from Ben. Then some good defending by Stephen, who had a good run up the left and scored taking it to a 2 – 0 lead. Bradford got a deflection bringing it to 2 – 1 and then a good shot bringing it back to 2 – 2. Then came some lovely passing between Ben and Stephen and up to Natalie who scored, taking them back in the lead. In the second-half Bradford then had a lapse of memory and scored in the wrong net. Stephen went in goal and Shaq came on. This was end-to-end and each run up the pitch saw another goal, Woody scored a great goal from the right 5 – 4, Bradford got it back to 5 – 5 and then Shaq scored in the right net and went to 6 – 5, and then again to take it to 7 – 6 with his loud goal celebration. Woody had another run up and scored, with them winning 8 – 6.”
“It was a good match and all of them enjoyed the game.”
Bradford’s Paul Jubb agreed. “Wow what a game,” Paul told us. “In an evenly matched game, the goals just kept flying in! First Derek Dooley would score then the Emeralds scored, but the decisive goal of the game came from hat trick hero Darren who, unfortunately, scored in his own goal after forgetting we had changed ends!! Ha Ha; 6 – 7 our scorers were Katrina with 2, Darren with 3, and Simon and Francis with one goal each.”
In the other League Two fixture, Bradford Green beat Social Eyes White in a high scoring battle on Pitch 5. “Another evenly fought game,” Paul Jubb told us. “The Emeralds took a 3 goal lead; Social Eyes brought on the extra player and started to pull goals back, but the Emeralds held out for their 1st win of the season, by 6 – 5, thanks to goals from Simon with 2, Darren, Debbie, Katrina and Francis.”
Three games in then, and Titans Yellow have a three-point lead over Dooley Green. Bradford City Emerald are a further three points adrift, with Social Eyes White improving every week.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Club Doncaster Titans FC (Adult) Yellow | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| 2 | Derek Dooley Football Academy Green | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Bradford City FITC Disability Emeralds | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | City Knights White | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Rawmarsh St Joseph’s J.F.C. Social Eyes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Away from League competition, Derek Dooley (Green) enjoyed a friendly with Titans Yellow. Claire Cowlishaw told syacl.com, “Our next match was a friendly against Titans Yellow and with it being cold we played all the players to stop them getting cold. There was some good play by them all with Woody showing his skills taking the run up and scoring taking the lead 1 – 0. The kick-off saw some good defending by Ben, passing up to Woody who scored again, 2 – 0. The Titans went up and scored past Bethany who had a good try to save it, 2 – 1. There was some lovely play and Ben had a super shot from halfway that looped up and into the bottom corner, 3 – 1. Titans played some good football, but Shaq took the ball and scored 4 – 1, Woody had another good run up and scored again taking it to 5 – 1.”
“This was a great performance from all the players.”
Liam Taylor summed up the game from a Titans viewpoint, “Derek Dooley scored to make 1 – 0 and Matt Blackham scored for the Titans to make it 1 – 1; Derek scored to make it 2 – 1, then 3 – 1 and Derek Dooley scored again to make it 4 – 1.”
So, the floodlights fade on another cracking afternoon of South Yorkshire Ability Counts football. We have a week or two to get our breath back before the Junior Leagues are back in action. Thanks to all of our fantastic players, coaches, and spectators for another thrilling spectacle.
A special word too for our referees – Sean, Gary, Dennis, and Andrew (who stepped in as a reserve referee on Pitch 5). Many thanks guys, as always.
In the meantime, visit http://www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com for reports, news, and pictures of the action.
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 