Flawless Bradford City Claret lead the Premier Division
Bradford City Diamonds set the pace in the Championship
Mansfield Town Red just ahead of Dooley (Blue) in League One
Depleted Hornets Onyx bravely cling on to League Two leads
Dinnington Town join the 5-a-side competition
Successful bucket collection adds to Ryegate fundraiser total
There were seventeen games across four divisions at Goals Sheffield on Sunday,16th November, with the weather turning colder – but the heat was very much on the goalkeepers in a high-scoring afternoon. As always, www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com was there to sum up the action.
In the Premier Division, the FA’s Match Official of the Year 2025, Sean, took control of the four games. In the first of these, it was a convincing win for Bradford City Claret over Base Hub Purple. It was not all plain sailing, as the Bradford keeper was forced into several good saves, but Claret’s finishing was clinical, and the three points were well deserved.
Having made their debut in the seven a side competition a couple of weeks ago, Dinnington Town were a welcome addition to the five a side league. Although they showed plenty of promise, the more experienced Sheffield Purple were just too good for Dinno on the day.
Purple were straight back in action, and this time took three points with a good win over the battling Base Hub Purple, with both goalkeepers making a series of fine saves in a hard-fought game.
In the final game of the day, Bradford Claret rounded off a profitable afternoon, beating Dinnington Town. The new guys got their “goals for “column up and running, but Claret were good value for the win in an exciting encounter.
So, after two weeks of competition, Bradford City Claret lead the way with a one hundred per cent record from their three games. Sheffield (Purple) are three points behind, with Base Hub and Dinnington poised to get points on the board in the weeks to come.
Five games in The Championship on Pitch six, under the watchful eye of referee Brian. The afternoon got off to an explosive start with a high scoring draw between Derek Dooley (White) and Mansfield Town [Claret] in a game which swung one way and then another before ending in a thrilling draw.
Next up, another cracking game between Hornets Jet and Sheffield Orange played at a fast pace with plenty of commitment from both teams. In the end, Sheffield Orange took the points and kept a clean sheet too.
Bradford City Diamonds look a strong outfit in this Division and got their afternoon off to a good start with a fine win over Derek Dooley (White). Dooley have done a great job in adding to their coaching staff this season which left Claire and Nathan able to take in all the games involving their teams and Believe added to his goals from that first match. However, a stunning long-range left-footed strike was the pick of the Bradford goals.
Mansfield Town brought their day to an excellent conclusion with an excellent win over Hornets (Jet), before a tremendous final match between Sheffield (Orange) and Bradford City (Diamonds); end to end stuff from two strong sides. It looked as though Bradford were going to run away with the match after a couple of quickfire goals, but Sheffield Orange battled back, and the result was much closer than it might have been.
After two matchdays, Diamonds have a nine-point haul from their three games and lead Mansfield Claret by five points, although Claret have a game in hand. Sheffield (Orange) are a point further back.
Base Hub (Blue) were unable to make it to Goals Sheffield, so there were just three competitive fixtures in League One for Tony to officiate on Pitch 8.
The first of these was an absolute cracker, a derby match between Mansfield Town AC Red and Mansfield Town FC Ladies. The Ladies raced into a three-goal lead before being hauled back to a share of the spoils with their club colleagues.
Next up, an impressive win for Derek Dooley FC Blue over Bradford City Emeralds, in a much closer game than the score suggests. In the final game, Mansfield Town FC Ladies rounded off a great day with a thrilling win over Bradford City Emeralds.
Mansfield Town FC Red have ten points from their four matches so far and have a narrow one-point lead over Derek Dooley Blue who have nine points. Mansfield Town AC Ladies have four points, with Emeralds sure to get off the mark in the next month or so.
League Chairman Mike was match official for the five League Two fixtures on Pitch 2, and the action got underway with a fantastic match between Club Doncaster Titans (Yellow) and Spartans, which Titans won by the odd goal in nine!
In Match 2, a depleted Hillsborough Hornets (Onyx) went down to a single goal defeat to Mansfield Town AC (Green), before Spartans took the win over Derek Dooley (Grey) who were themselves affected by injuries. Titans Yellow rounded off a terrific afternoon with a great win over Mansfield Town FC Green, a match in which both sides had their shooting boots on; and in the final game Hillsborough Hornets (Onyx) took the three points with am impressive win over Dooley (Grey).
Two matchdays in, and with all five teams having played 4 games each, Hornets (Onyx) have a three point lead despite their player shortage on Sunday. Titans (Yellow)’s two wins propel them to equal second alongside Mansfield Town (Green ) and Spartans. Dooley (Grey) have three points in what is shaping up, as always, to be a really competitive division.
One more Matchday for our five a side teams back at Goals (Sheffield) on December 14th. Before that, the 7-a-side groups are back in action at Concord on the 7th of December.
At both matchdays, there will be final bucket collections for our fundraiser in support of Ryegate House, which has now hit over £1100.You can also donate online using this link.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 