Fantastic 5-a-side season’s end at Goals Doncaster
Sheffield (Black) take Premier Division glory after thrilling Barton finale
Club Doncaster Titans (Blue) lift the Championship Trophy
League One silverware for delighted Hillsborough Hornets
Newcomers Wath Stars seal League Two title from Bradford City
Darren Warner Fair Play Trophy awarded to Inter Barton Inclusive FC
The weather held and the sun shone for Mother’s Day at Goals Doncaster as the www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleaguecom 5-a-side season came to a thrilling conclusion last Sunday. The afternoon also included the presentation of the Juniors Respect prizes and the award of the Darren Warner Fair Play Trophy, the winning club having been selected by our referees, led by our brilliant Referees Secretary, Sean Wright.
As always, our army of reporters headed to Doncaster with pen and paper to capture the best of the action, overseen by our Website Editor (when she isn’t acting as Swallownest FC Club Secretary) Margaret Gregory.
Just the two games to finish the Premier League season then, with second place very much up for grabs; and they turned out to be two spectacular matches out on Pitch 10, resulting in a draw and a win for Barton Inclusive Inter Bar. Barton’s Chair Sophie Bartup did an amazing job of keeping up with the action.
“The last games of the season brought together two teams who have had an amazing season,” Sophie explained. “Sheffield FC won all their games up to today and had already won the League while Inter Barton were hoping to clinch second spot after gaining promotion last season.”
“The first match was very tight with both teams playing some excellent football however it was Sheffield FC who broke the deadlock (1-0).”
“More good football from both teams end-to-end, before Inter grabbed a goal back from top scorer Callum 1-1 half time.”
“Second half very much the same both teams having their chances, Sheffield FC got their noses in front again, with a well taken free kick, but Inter Barton kept pressing and the pressure eventually paid off when Captain Matt scored the equaliser 2-2 full-time.”
“After a quick turnaround the teams were back at it. Here’s Sophie’s summary; “On to the second game, as in the first both teams playing some great football, both keepers were tested throughout the game and there were some great saves by the Sheffield FC keeper, but Callum did manage to score making it 1-0 to Inter Barton at half time.”
“Second half and Inter Barton flew out of the blocks and soon made it 2-0 and then 3-0 both scored by Callum, although Sheffield FC had had their fair share of chances too, however the Inter Barton keeper managed to keep them out.”
“Sheffield FC upped the tempo of their game and peppered the Inter Barton goal and managing to claw the score back to 3-3, game on!”
“Just when everyone thought it would finish in a draw Inter Barton’s reliable midfielder Dan got through and scored to make the final score 4-3.”
“These were two exceptional games between two very good sides and played in excellent spirits,” Sophie summed up. “Both teams are a credit to the league.”
Willie Edwards took the plaudits as Barton Inclusive player of the day.
Inter Barton FC manager James Branford said this to his players:
“Not only did you guys play good football today, but you should be so proud of everything you have achieved this season. Second in the league in our first season and getting the fair play award across all the leagues!”
“To top it off you showed the team at the top of the table that they can be beaten!”
“Absolutely amazing guys!”
That thrilling win – in brilliant games featuring quite outstanding goalkeepers – clinched second spot for Barton behind Sheffield FC Black, who were fully deserving champions after a wonderful season. Congratulations to Coach Liam and his squad on a brilliant achievement.
Sheffield lifted the Trophy, presented by Sean Wright and our guest for the Day, Sheffield FA’s Fern Morgan, and both sides received their medals from Sean and Fern.
City Knights (Red) finished a fine third, just two points behind Barton and four points clear of Derek Dooley (White). Bradford City (Claret) were a further two point back, with new boys Wath already looking to next season.
Barton Inclusive Inter Bar also received the Darren Warner Fair Play Trophy, awarded in memory of our late and much loved former Secretary, and awarded by our match officials based on our Respect scores.
Club Chairwoman Sophie Bartup recognised Inter Barton FC’s winning of the Darren Warner Fair Play award and said this:
“This award is more important than any league title as it recognises the characters and qualities of our players as exceptional human beings with empathy, kindness, and respect. We would like to congratulate James & Lauryn for this award, two volunteers who lead by example and ensure the footballing environment within Inter Barton FC is one focused on fair play and respect.”
“Barton Inclusive FC would like to thank everyone involved within the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League for a fantastic season.”
Final table standings are as follows:
Two games also in the Championship on Sunday; in the first, Sheffield FC Purple won a tight encounter against the ever-improving Club Doncaster Titans Ladies, watched by Titans’ coach Steph Hall.
“This was a good match played by both teams,” Steph told us. “CDT started the match strongly, created many chances and kept Sheffield out. Just before half time, against the run of play Sheffield scored to go ahead. CDT continued to create chances and went close on many occasions. Both teams continued pressing but Sheffield held on for the win. This was a fantastic performance by the ladies which shows how much they have developed as a team!”
In the second match, Sheffield FC Purple were again in action, but this time against the Champions elect Club Doncaster Titans Blue. The match was covered for www.SYorksACL.com by Titans coach John Hibbert.
“The game started end-to-end and then Al defended and beat his opponent scoring our first goal,” John reported. “They were giving us a good game; they had a few free kicks which we defended well but Ash pulled off some outstanding saves. Their keeper made a mistake enabling Conner to score making it 2-0; so, then we tried to park the bus to keep our lead; Callum was unlucky today, I was willing him to score but we came out on top.”
“I could not be prouder of my team and especially when we picked up the League Cup!” John beamed.
Titans Blue take the trophy with a nine point advantage over Sheffield FC Purple. Bradford City Diamonds were third and Titans Ladies fourth.
Congratulations to Titans Blue on a wonderful season, and to all the teams in the division for terrific League campaigns.
In the only Mother’s Day fixture in League One, a rampant Hillsborough Hornets raced to the title with a good win over Barton Inclusive Hull Vikings, their nearest rivals for glory.
Hornets celebrated an excellent season in their now customary style. Well done to all their coaches and supporters!
Congratulations also to Barton Inclusive, City Knights White, Derek Dooley Blue and Derek Dooley Green who all enjoyed great seasons.
In the final game of League Two season, Wath Stars Blue were confirmed as Champions, and celebrated with a good win over Titans Yellow in the first game of the day. Titans coach Liam Taylor watched the game unfold.
“It was an end-to-end start,” Liam told us. “Titans got a penalty unfortunately the keeper went the right way and saved Matt’s penalty. Wath scored three in succession to make it 3-0 then Barney scored to make it 3-1 but Wath replied to make it 4-1. Christian scored to pull it back to 4-2 but once again Wath scored to make 5-2. Another Wath goal made it 6-2 then Christian scored to make 6-3. A win for Wath after an entertaining game 6-3.”
Congratulations to Tony and his Wath Stars team who received the medals and trophy from League Welfare Officer Andrew Robson and League Chairman Mike Stylianou. Bradford City (Emeralds) were deserving runners up, ahead of Titans Yellow and the League “entertainers” , Spartans FC who took two wins during the season.
The 5-a-side teams can now look forward to their Divisional tournament in April. The Juniors tournament will be held on 2nd April at Goals Doncaster.
Thanks to our referees, players, officials, and spectators who made it such a special afternoon, and thanks to Fern Morgan from Sheffield FA for joining us and presenting the awards.
Darren Warner – a reflection
The presentation of the Darren Warner Fair Play Trophy to Barton Inclusive brought back happy memories of our former Secretary, Darren Warner, who alongside our Chair Mike Stylianou did so much to make the League the success it is today.
Club Doncaster Titans Head Coach Martin Taylor took time out to reflect on the fantastic contribution Darren made to his club and the League.
“It is our second season since we lost our beloved leader, Darren Warner and I just cannot believe how time has flown. Since Darren’s passing we have kept the Titans name going and as a committee-based club now we are going from strength to strength. The first season was tough without him, but this season we knuckled down and got on with the task in hand, which the great man would have wanted us to do.
I know in my heart he would be proud of what we have achieved in the past two years going from strength to strength and developing and achieving as a team and developing his dream of the ladies only team.
And on a personal note, I am pleased to have learnt from the great master that he was. Yes, there will only ever be one Darren Warner but his dream will live on at Titans through all the coaching staff and the committee members and also me as a Head Coach.
He left a great legacy, a great believer, and a great man, but now a new generation will grow in the Titans family, but he will never be forgotten and this season has proved it. This season has been tough, hard and we have developed the way we believe, and we are going to keep on fighting this way.
So all I can say on the final note is GO TITANS!”
One proud Head Coach
Many Thanks
Martin Taylor (Head Coach of Club Doncaster Titans)
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 