Down to the wire as Bradford City Claret and Sheffield FC Purple share Premier top spot
Looking good for Bradford City Diamonds in the Championship
Mansfield Town Green and Mansfield Red battling for League One crown
Mansfield Green and Hornets Onyx in touch in thrilling League Two battle
The snow abated on Sunday 18th January at Goals Sheffield as our five-a side teams resumed their 2025/6 campaigns. It was another great day, well supported by our parents and carers with fully committed on-field performances from every single player. Once again, all-round behaviour was excellent.
Three games in the Premier Division, on Pitch 4 refereed by Sean. In the first match, Dinnington Town and Base Hub United Purple shared the points in a 1-1 draw, with both goals coming in the first half. James and Tony would have been happy with a point apiece.
Another entertaining, end-to-end game followed with Bradford City Claret edging Base Hub United Purple to take three important points.
In the final game of the day, Sheffield FC Purple maintained their impressive title challenge going into the final week of the season, by convincingly beating Dinnington Town; despite a brilliant performance from the Base goalkeeper.
So, with one matchday to go it’s impossible to split Bradford City Claret and Sheffield FC Purple. Both have 15 points from six games. Dinnington Town have an excellent four points, and a plucky Base Hub United a single point. It’ll be a round robin shoot out for the title, as explained at the end of our report.
In the Championship, Brian was our match official for the five matches on Pitch 8. In the first, Mansfield Town AC Claret came from two down to snatch a point in a thrilling encounter.
Next, Derek Dooley White enjoyed a convincing win over a battling Hornets Jet side, with Daniel and Believe amongst the scorers for Dooley.
In the third game of the day, Mansfield Town Claret gave a really committed performance in beating Bradford City Diamonds before Sheffield Orange took the points with a win over Hornets Jet. Sheffield Coach Kev Marsh must have been delighted with the three points, although there were a nervous couple of seconds when James Steers took an unfortunate ball to the head. His skull cap did its job, and James was able to continue after a look over by the coaching staff.
In the final game of the day in this Division, Bradford City Diamonds enjoyed a good win over Derek Dooley White helped by a fast start. Coby scored twice for Bradford. It’s looking good for the Bradford City Diamonds as we approach the business end of the season. They have18 points from seven games, having played a game more than nearest challengers Dooley White, who have 10. Mansfield Claret have 9 points, one more than Sheffield Orange.
League One has been hugely competitive all season, and the five games refereed by Mike on Pitch 6 were no exception. In the first game, the ever-improving Mansfield Town AC Ladies came from behind to take the points, despite having just four players.
Next, Derek Dooley Blue and Base Hub United Blue played out an absolutely storming game, with Dooley Blue coming out on top in an eight-goal thriller.
Mansfield Town Ladies then maintained their excellent form with a good win over Bradford City Emeralds, before two long-range goals from Cameron Mounde helped Mansfield Town AC Red to a good win over a gutsy Base Hub Blue.
The final game of the day was an extraordinary 11 goal thriller which saw Derek Dooley Blue edge to the narrowest of wins. It was a great watch, with Jack and Alix combining for 6 of the Dooley Goals.
With all the teams having played eighth games, Mansfield Town AC Ladies and Mansfield Town AC Red share top spot on 19 points. Dooley Blue are close behind on 15 points, with Bradford City Emeralds and Base Hub United Blue both on three.
In League Two, refereed by Tony, there were just 14 goals in the first match between Spartans and Titans Yellow, with Titans coming out on top.
In the second match, Mansfield Town AC Green took the win over Titans Yellow. There were great performances from Steph for Mansfield and Alex from Titans, marauding the right wing like his hero Mo Salah.
Spartans took the points in the final game of the day, narrowly beating Dooley FA Grey thanks to goals from Richard and Sam’s penalty.
Mansfield Town AC Green have 18 points from their 8 games and lead the table by just three from Hornets Onyx absent on the day due to player non-availability. Titans, Dooley Grey, and Spartans all have 9 points.
With just one matchday remaining, our Chair Mike outlined the format for the final day of the season.
“All,
The 5-a-side Premier, League 1 and League 2 divisions have now all played each other twice. For the remainder of the season, they will play a round-robin format, playing every team in the same division for a shorter duration, as we do in the Divisional Cup tournament.
The Premier teams will play three 14 minute matches , played one way with no half time; the League 1 & League 2 divisions will play four 10 minute matches , played one way with no half time..
The teams in the Championship division in February , will still play two 20 minute matches. Bradford City Diamonds & Sheffield Orange will play 1 league match and a friendly match against each other. They have played 3 out of the 4 other teams in their division twice. The March fixtures for that division will then be played on a round -robin basis.
Full Time will send out the February fixtures in the next couple of days “.
The @southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com returns on the first Sunday in February, with the rearranged seven a side fixtures postponed from earlier in January.
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 