Matchday Two of South Yorkshire Ability Counts League

Matchday Two of South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 7’s at Concord

Team launched by former League President Darren Warner moves on

Tight games across three pitches in sunny but cold conditions

Flying start for Dinnington Town Yellows as they share Premier Division lead

Late Hornets (Gold) equaliser sees them level with Dinnington

Mansfield (Amber) edge Dooley (Red) and Wheatley in the Championship

Children’s Hospital Fundraiser halfway to £2k target

Eight games across two divisions in the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League, www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com with Club Doncaster Titans now choosing to play their 7-a -side football in the Sheffield FA’s Pan Disability League.

Darren Warner founded Titans in 2014 and would go on, with our current Chair Mike Stylianou, to head up the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League with Titans entering a number of teams over many years. People like Andrew Robson (a former SYACL Welfare Officer and Committee Member), John Hibbert and Steph Hall – along with many other Titans – have made great contributions to our League and we wish them well in their new home. We are sure Darren himself would have been disappointed.

As a result of Titans’ withdrawal, Sheffield (White) has moved to the Championship through no fault of their own, with Mike forced to rearrange League structures and fixtures at the last minute.

As we all know in Disability Football, as one door closes another one opens, and we were delighted to welcome Dinnington Town Juniors to the League on Sunday. Fittingly, Dinnington were first up on Pitch Two against Sheffield FC (Blue) with Brian as match official. It was a tight, tactical battle, with both sides having chances; the best of these fell to the newcomers in the last minute, but a goalless draw was a fair reflection of the game.

Mansfield Town (Blue) had a difficult journey up the motorway which left them dashing on to Pitch One with match official Peter looking at his watch. In the end though, it was Mansfield who took the points with a win over Hillsborough Hornets (Gold). The only difference between the sides was Town’s clinical finishing in what had been a great match-up. Mansfield were straight back on Pitch One after a short break, but this time found the well-organised Dinnington side a tougher nut to crack. One goal decided the destination of the points, and it came to James Scally’s Yellows. That single goal was enough to give the newcomers a first win in the Competition.

The final game in the Division was an absolute thriller between Hornets (Gold) and Sheffield (Blue), Sheffield’s keeper made a brilliant save just before half time, and Gold’s keeper a great stop as the second half started. It looked as though Sheffield would take the win through their clever opening goal, but Gold were not to be denied and driven on by skipper Alex snatched the late leveller their overall performance deserved.

In what is sure to be a competitive division, Dinnington share the early lead with Hornets (Gold), with the S6 side having played one game more. Mansfield Town (Blue) have three points and Sheffield (Blue) two following Titans’ withdrawal. Aston will now compete in the 5-a-side League.

There were four games in the Championship. In the first of these, the much-improved Derek Dooley (Red) shared the points with Mansfield Town (Amber) under the watchful eye of referee Mike. For much of the game, it looked as though Dooley were on course for three points until Amber grabbed a last-minute equaliser to take a point.

Next up, Sheffield FC (White) faced Wheatley Wanderers, and it was the Doncaster outfit who took the points with a 2-0 win. A deft touch from close range opened the scoring for Wheatley, and after Sean had rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort, Wheatley clinched the points with a second. It was tough on Sheffield, who had competed well and had had chances of their own.

Dooley (Red) then confirmed their resurgence with a fine win over Sheffield (White), including a clever close-range finish to open the scoring.

In the final match, Wheatley showed outstanding sportsmanship to match the six players of Mansfield Town (Amber) with just the six of their own. In the great game that followed it was Mansfield who took a 2-0 win in an end- to- end clash with both keepers in fine form.

After two matchdays, Mansfield Town (Amber) have five points from three games and lead Dooley (Red) and Wheatley by one point. Sheffield (White) were caught up in Titan’s withdrawal but are sure to be firing again soon.

League positions after two matchdays.

Thanks to all our players, coaches, officials, and spectators for another great day.

After a successful bucket collection – with all three match officials donating a good percentage of their match fees – our Christmas collection stands just shy of one thousand pounds. You can either donate in person at our matchday bucket collections, or via our Just Giving site. Full details at www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com