Big crowds watch 19 S Yorks ACL 5-a-side fixtures at Goals Sheffield
Sheffield (Black) tighten grip on Premier Division
Club Doncaster Titans (Blue) extend advantage in the Championship
Hornets (Gold) edging Barton Hill Vikings in thrilling League One battle
Bradford (Emeralds) and Wath Juniors United (Blue) in League Two battle.
The penultimate matchday in this season’s South Yorkshire Ability Counts League saw 19 matches across all four divisions on a good, dry day at Goals Sheffield. As usual, there were good crowds to watch the matches unfold, and www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com sent our team of reporters to cover the action, edited, as always by Margaret Gregory.
It’s worth noting that the matches generated only one incidence of foul play during the afternoon – an overly-enthusiastic, mistimed tackle – and there were no issues whatsoever with dissent or disrespect across all four pitches; congratulations to all our participants, coaches, supporters and referees on a fantastic outcome.
The Premier League started with a cracking 3 – 3 draw between Barton Inclusive Inter Bar and Bradford City (Claret); in the immediate rematch on Pitch 6, Sean Wright refereed another great game which this time was won 6-4 by Bradford Claret.
Sheffield (Black) took advantage of Barton’s results with two wins over City Knights (Red) with the second match being much closer than the first.
Derek Dooley (White) entered the fray with two wins over Wath Stars Junior Hub United watched by Dooley’s Claire Cowlishaw.
“The White team had 2 matches against Wath,” Claire reports, “the team started well with some great football and great work from Keiron showing his skills, they took a quick lead. There was some lovely passing between the players with strong defensive duties from Jordan. They quickly took a demanding lead of 3 – 0 and with the rule change this kind of put the lads off letting Wath back in with 2 goals finishing 3 – 2.”
“The lads had a 5 minute break before the second match. Mo had a stint in the goal to give Craig a half as an out player. This was a competitive match and saw Mo save and solid defending from Tom. There was a lovely pass from Mo to Tom to Luke who scored. The second half started up with great teamwork and Mo took the ball and dribbled around and scored.”
“Well done!”
Sharon Lavender reported, “Our first match was a home game against Sheffield FC Disability 5 aside Black. They gave us a good game, some players were outstanding against us. Our guys tried their best, the opposition was very fare and allowed us extra players when we were 3-0 down! We were very proud of the guys when they kept going and battling through, trying their best.”
Final score 0-5
“Our Second match was an away game against Sheffield Black 5 aside. Our guys were ready to give their all! Not long into the match the ball slipped through our keepers legs and crept into the net, it felt like slow motion! The guys kept their heads up and pulled together and kept strong, unfortunately they broke through our defence and ended up scoring several times but we pulled back by Lewis Mansell who volleyed a great ball into the back of the net, well done Lewis! Then Chris Brown blasted another one into net, well done Chris!”
The final score 3-2
With all six clubs having played eight games, Sheffield (Black) leads the way with a 100% record and have a nine-point lead over Barton going into the last matchday in April. Bradford City (Claret) are third, and those two wins take Dooley (White) up to seven points. Wath will be hoping to get off the mark in April.
Premier standings are:
Into the Championship, refereed by Brain Eaton, and a win for Sheffield FC (Purple) over Bradford City (Diamonds) was followed by three points for Titans (Blue) over the West Yorkshire club. Titan’s John Hibbert takes up the story: –
“Titans Vs Bradford first,” John told us, “we started slowly but then Bradley won a free kick and scored from it Titans 1 Bradford 0; then Conner got an assist from Danny and scored to make it Titans 2 Bradford 0 Then they scored to make it 2 – 1 then all of a sudden it became the Bradley show; he scored two more goals so he had his hat trick; then Josh broke free from his player and scored his first goal and Titans won 5 – 1.”
Titans (Ladies) got their afternoon under way with a narrow defeat to Sheffield FC (Purple), watched by Titans coach Steph Hall.
“This was a good match played by both teams,” Steph told Margaret. “It was end-to-end with both teams creating many chances. Sheffield went ahead part way through the first half. CDT defended brilliantly and kept Sheffield out whilst also creating some brilliant chances themselves. In the second half both teams continued to create chances but also defended brilliantly. Both goalkeepers pulled off some fantastic saves to keep their teams in the game. Sheffield scored their second goal of the game but soon after CDT responded. Kaz rolled the ball out quickly to Nikita who controlled it, turned then scored from a distance! This lifted the ladies and gave them more confidence to press forward to look for the equaliser. Both teams continued creating chances but in the end Sheffield scored a third and won the game.”
“This was a brilliant performance from the ladies, which shows how far we have come as a team.”
The Championship matchday ended with a local battle between Titans Ladies and Titans Blue. John Hibbert gave us his view on proceedings.
“In the second game Titans Blues Vs Titans Ladies, the blues were a bit too strong for the Ladies,” John explained. “I am not going to make it about Blues because ladies gave us the best game of football today so I would like to say hold your heads-up ladies – you are a good team”.
“Keep your heads up – the results will come. Well played to both teams.”
Ladies coach Steph Hall agreed. “This was another good game played by both teams. The match started quickly with both teams creating lots of chances. But the goalkeepers did some brilliant saves to keep their teams in the game. CDT Blue scored several quick-fire goals and went ahead. CDT Ladies continued pressing and created some brilliant chances, but CDT Blues scored some more just before half time. The second half was similar, it was end-to-end with lots of chances for both teams. Both goalkeepers continued to perform fantastically with the saves they did. CDT Ladies continued to keep solid and defended well keeping CDT Blue out whilst limiting them to long range chances.”
“In the end it wasn’t to be, and CDT Blue won the game,” Steph added. “I’m very proud of the Ladies performance and how far we have come as a team.” Those two impressive wins for Titans (Blue) consolidated an eight-point advantage after six games, with a hundred percent win rate. Sheffield (Purple) also impressed with two wins and sit second by three points over Bradford (Diamonds) with Titans Ladies surely close to their first points.
In League One, there were five games refereed by Phillip. In the first, Dooley (green) were beaten by Barton Inclusive Hill Vikings, watched by Claire Cowlishaw of Dooley. “Our Green team started the day with a match against top of the league Barton, the friendliest team,” Claire reported. “We had a team of 5 but they tried their hardest. Woody
tried it in the net, but couldn’t stop the shots. There was some great defending from Ben and lots of running from Stephen, who managed to score when Barton had taken a commanding lead. Bethany had a time in the net for the second half which saw her make a lot of great saves. Archie was on the wing and kept trying.”
Barton stayed on the pitch and shared the points in a brilliant 1 – 1 draw with Hillsborough Hornets. Hornets coach Ian Whittaker told www.SYorksACL.com that both teams had played their part in a fantastic match.
Dooley (Green) were next on pitch 4 and City Knights( White) took the points with a high-scoring win. “The second game was against City Knights, who were the stronger team, but they all tried their best,” Claire Cowlishaw told us. “A goal for Stephen his first of the season was the highlight. Well done – everyone giving 100%.”
Dooley (Blue) played the last two matches in the Division, again watched by Claire from Dooley. “The Blue team were depleted today with only 4 players, Ryan in goal and Fallon, Tanisha and Cody outfield. They were up against City Knights first who played 4 players, but they were too strong for us. The girls kept trying and solid defending from Cody, even though she was loud today!”
“The second game was against Hillsborough Hornets who were great sports and lent us a player, Jason, he really helped our team out aiding and even scoring against his team! The Hornets came out worthy winners showing why they are the top of the league. Thank you for helping our team out today.”
“Well done everyone giving 100%.”
Sharon Lavender reported, “our first match was an away game against Derek Dooley Green Team. We were ready and focused. Every one pulled together, gelled well and communicated well. Great work all round!
We ended up being 3 goals ahead so we allowed the opposition more players on, we ended up scoring more so we took our players off we ended up having just 3 players, 2 out one in goal to help with fair play, helped the opposition have a game! The opposition ended up getting 4 goals past us. Well done to all the goal scores, Keenan Sampson, Morgan Hassall, Josh Musvinu and Llynette Hassall.
Final Score 4-14
Our Second match was an away game against Derek Dooley Blue Team. This was a much more even game. The players were ready! They supported each other, gelled well! The defence was solid and the through balls went smoothly, Morgan Hassall smashed one in the net, then not long after he put another one in the net, well done Morgan! Everyone played their part! They all played well, and should be proud of themselves as we are of them!
Final Score 0-2
Thank you to all teams that played on the day and all support on the day!
Hornets (Gold) lead the way in League One by three points from Barton, ensuring a fantastic last day. City Knights (White) are third, with Dooley Blue on six points. Dooley Green are sure to grab their first points in the near future.
In League Two, Martin Taylor refereed a great first game between Titans (Yellow) and Bradford City (Emeralds). The match had a fantastic twist, as Liam Taylor told us;
“Titans ( Yellow ) 2 Vs 2 Bradford ( Emeralds ) was end-to-end first half and a good shot made 1 – 0 to Bradford “ Liam told us. “A solo goal from Shaun made it 1- 1 and Bradford scored to make 2 – 1. Titans made it 2 – 2 with a great shoot from Christian, so the full time score was 2 -2.”
“This was after Bradford and Paul Jubb did a wonderful piece of sportsmanship when Barney accidentally forgot we changed sides at half time and scored an own goal and was upset with it; Paul Jubb asked the ref to chalk it off and we would like to thank Bradford and Paul Jubb for that.”
Wath Stars Junior Hub (Blue) defeated Bradford City (Emeralds) before the entertainers, Spartans FC, entered the arena with a high scoring win over Titans (Yellow), watched by Liam Taylor.
“It was Titans (Yellow) 5 Vs 6 Spartans,” Liam explained. “Titans made it 1 – 0 with a good shot from Christian and Matt scored to make it 2 – 0 Titans and Spartans and made it 2 – 1. Barney scored to make it 3 – 1 and Spartans scored to make it 3 – 2 and Christian scored to make it 4 – 2 to Titans and Spartans scored to make it 4 – 3 and Spartans scored to make it 4 – 4 and Spartans scored to make 5 – 4 and Spartans made it 6 – 4 and Christian scored to make 6 – 5.”
“Christian scored a hat trick in a great game of football.”
Darren Sharp, Spartans Coach, gave his account of events. “The team were again involved in 2 high scoring, closely fought and very entertaining matches. The first match against Titans Yellows was end-to-end with both teams matching each other for scores up until the last 5 minutes, when we managed to prevent them scoring. Excellent defending by Sam and a couple of late goals by Dom secured the victory.”
“In the second match against Wath Stars, despite some excellent saves by Oliver, goals from Matt & Paul and great teamwork throughout, we fell short towards the end and were beaten by the stronger team. “
After six games each, Bradford Emeralds are locked on 13 points with Wath Stars Juniors (Blue), setting up a fantastic shoot out on the last Matchday. Spartans have two wins after two more goal fests, and Titans (yellow) have two points from two draws.
Thanks to our match reporters, Martin, Claire, Liam, John, Steph and Darren.
As the Five-a-side Divisions season heads toward the final day, the Juniors take centre stage on Sunday 5th March at Sheffield Goals, with the action starting at 10.15am.
As always, www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com will be there with reports and pictures.
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 