Doncaster rain doesn’t dampen SYACL spirits
Sheffield Red lead the Under-12’s Premier League pack
Bradford Greens and Hornets forge ahead in Under-12 Championship
Bradford Amber and Hornets Yellow are top of Under-16’s Premier
Perfect Titans set the pace in Under-16’s Championship
Clubs support FA Respect and Silent Support Weekend Initiatives
After the huge crowds seen on the Juniors opening day at Sheffield Goals, the SYACL had reacted quickly, reorganising the fixtures to improve the spectator experience as the Under-16 and Under 12 Leagues rolled into Goals Doncaster. League Chairman Mike Stylianou had managed to organise the day almost perfectly, but had forgotten to arrange the weather, as the rain poured down for most of the afternoon.
That didn’t stop another brilliant footballing early-afternoon, with plenty of action and goals to keep the players and supporters entertained. The FA Respect and Reward program was again in operation and the League did its level best to support the “Silent Support Weekend,” encouraging supporters to applaud the players rather than offer vocal support.
League Secretary Paul Jubb summed up the day, “Silent Sunday was a nightmare for all the parents and coaches!!” he laughed, “but the kids enjoyed it more! Ha ha!”
As always, www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com was on hand, and thanks to our brilliant reporters we are able to give our readers a flavour of Sunday’s action.
In the Under-12’s Premier League, Bradford City Diamonds took two wins over Club Doncaster Titans (Blues), watched by Bradford’s Paul Jubb. “The Under 12’s Diamonds won both their games against Club Doncaster Titans, being too strong on the day and go joint top now with Sheffield FC,” Paul reported. “Aron was the player of the day for playing good football, encouraging his team, following instructions and showing empathy to the opposite team.”
“What a fantastic day for the Under 12’s Diamonds, some great football and fantastic teamwork. I’m very proud of all the players today. The weather was grim, but you all played fantastic.” said Sara the coach.
Coach Phil Siddons gave www.SYorksACL the Titans perspective on both games. “In the first match, Titans started well, but went 3-0 down,” Phil told us. “Then Jacob and James played, between them Jacob scores 2 to make it 3 – 2. James scored to make it 3 – 3 at half time, but Bradford went 6 – 3 up. Titans won a free kick and James scored to make it 6 – 4.”
“In the second game, Bradford went 1-0 up straight from the kick-off,” Phil went on. “Then Jacob made it 1 – 1, but after some good saves from Joseph, Bradford scored 2 – 1 went 3 – 1 then 4 – 1 then went 5 – 1 up by half time. Bradford went 6 – 1 then Bradford scored again to make it 7 – 1 then Bradford went 8 – 1. James scored a goal to make it 8 – 2 then Bradford scored to make it 9 – 2.”
In the other Premier League games, Chesterfield FC Community Trust and Rotherham United Community Sports Trust shared a win each and Hillsborough Hornets Orange Sheffield FC Disability Red shared the points from their two games.
So, after seven matches each, Sheffield Red lead the way with six wins and one loss, two points clear of Bradford City Disability Diamonds. Hornets Orange are in third spot, Rotherham and Chesterfield fourth and fifth respectively, and plucky Titans Blue eager to get off the mark.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Sheffield FC Youth U12 Red | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 18 |
| 2 | Bradford City FITC Disability U12 Diamon | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 16 |
| 3 | Hillsborough Hornets Disability FC U12 O | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 13 |
| 4 | Rotherham United Community Sports Trust | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -1 | 9 |
| 5 | Chesterfield F.C. Community Trust U12 Pa | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -3 | 6 |
| 6 | Club Doncaster Titans Ability Counts FC | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 0 |
So, to the Under-12’s Championship. “Bradford Under 12’s Greens also won both their games against Club Doncaster Titans,” coach Paul Jubb told http://www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com. “Well done to all the players who got wet through but kept going until the end. Lots of players scored their first ever league goals. Player of the day was Oscar!”
“It rained for the full hour we were there, but everyone kept going despite the weather. Thank you again to all the coaches for their help.”
Titans Red coach Steph Hall expertly summarised both games. “The first match was a good game played by both teams. It was end to end with both teams creating many chances. Bradford took an early lead, but CDT soon equalised from a brilliant free kick scored by Alex. Both teams continued to create chances, but two brilliant goalkeeping performances kept the score level.”
“Just before half time Bradford scored two quick goals to go into the break ahead,” Steph continued “The second half was much of the same with both teams creating many chances. Bradford went on to score two more goals midway through the second half. But CDT replied with Alex scoring another good goal. In the end Bradford held on for the win. It was a really good performance by CDT showing the progress made since the previous games.”
“This next game started very similarly to the first game with both teams creating many chances,” Steph reported. “Andrew pulled off some brilliant saves early on in the game to keep the score level. Bradford pulled ahead with a couple of goals and then Alex scored after some good passing from CDT. After half time CDT continued to battle and push for another goal. Bradford pulled further ahead after scoring some more goals. Near the end of the game Alex scored a good goal from a tight angle. CDT continued to create chances and Lauren scored with the last kick of the game beating the goalkeeper 1v1. Overall, Bradford took their chances and won the game. CDT gave their all, but it wasn’t to be.”
In the Championship’s other two games, Hillsborough Hornets White took two wins over Sheffield FC White.
So, after 5 matches each, it’s neck and neck between Bradford Greens and Hornets White, with both outfits having four wins and one defeat, leaving Sheffield White and Titans Red with work to do.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Bradford City FITC Disability U12 Greens | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 13 |
| 2 | Hillsborough Hornets Disability FC U12 W | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 13 |
| 3 | Sheffield FC Youth U12 White | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| 4 | Club Doncaster Titans Ability Counts FC | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
In the Under-16’s Premier League, Barton Inclusive (Hull) opened up with two games against Bradford City Amber, watched expertly for www.SYorksACL by Jo Newby.
“After training together for a year under the guidance of coach Chris and his youth assistants Heather and Seb BIFC – Hull U16 made their foray into the premier division of the South Yorkshire ability counts league at Doncaster Goals in horrible weather conditions. After last month’s games saw us moved up a division the players were apprehensive about taking on stronger more experienced teams but arrived today in great spirits and eager to pull on their boots and new kit.
The match started and they were under immediate pressure. It was a rear-guard action for most of the first half before Bradford deservedly went into half time leading. With the score still close due to the heroics of our ‘bobble hatted’ goalie Harvey and last ditch defending from Leland and Mark, the second half pretty much followed the first although we managed to bag a couple of goals through Bailey and Kasper. We were still chasing the game and finished with a handshake to each of our deserved victors from Bradford.
The second match went the way of the first with Bradford taking the points despite valiance and tenacity from every BIFC player. Kasper (replacing Harvey in nets because of a hand injury) made several fine saves. Luke, played in an unfamiliar role in defence providing great cover to allow Kai to make his marauding runs forward. Bradford’s goalie was on top of his game but with a bit more luck in front of goal, super twins Brandon and Bailey would have been building their tally for the season.
Although it was a baptism of fire jumping into the higher division, together with the adverse weather, our boys used today as a valuable learning opportunity and enjoyed being pushed by their opponents. Coach Chris said, “I would like to applaud the players for never letting their heads drop and continuing with the same attitude throughout,” while his assistant Heather commented, “even though we were up against a strong team and everyone was wet and cold, nobody gave up. I was happy to see everyone leave with smiling faces at the end regardless of the score.”
Amber’s coach Paul Jubb was delighted with the wins. “Our Under 16’s Ambers won both their games against Barton Inclusive from Hull,” he said. “All the players chipped in with goals and Ethan was player of the day playing in goal, he kept out some great shots from Barton.”
Elsewhere, Chesterfield FC Community Trust and Rotherham United Community Sports Trust played out two hard-fought games, with Rotherham taking a win and sharing the points in the other match; and Hillsborough Hornets Yellow took maximum points from their games with Sheffield FC (Blue).
All six Premier Division Clubs have now played two games each, and Bradford Amber and Hornets Yellow are setting the early pace with six points apiece. Rotherham are in third spot, but it’s still early days for new boys Chesterfield, Barton Inclusive Hull, and Sheffield (Blue).
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Bradford City FITC Disability U16 Amber | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | Hillsborough Hornets Disability FC U16 Y | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Rotherham United Community Sports Trust | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | Chesterfield F.C. Community Trust U16 Pa | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| 5 | Barton Inclusive Football Club Hull – U1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 6 | Sheffield FC Youth U16 Blue | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
In the Under-16’s Championship, there were four matches. Club Doncaster Titans had a fantastic afternoon, winning both their games against Bradford City (Blues), watched by Titans Coach-and legend-John Hibbert.
“Hi Colin; the first match started as a free for all – it was like a tennis match!” John told us. “We then made a tactical substitution took Dan off and played Ben, who scored the first goal. But then they scored to make it 1 – 1 then Ben scores an own goal to make it 1 – 2.”
“Then I made another sub and bring Olivia on, so we start to create space. So, then Ben passes to Olivia, and she scores so now it’s 2 – 2 . Then Ben scores again 3 – 2. Then Olivia scores again 4 – 3 then Ben scores again so game 5 – 2 to Titans. Dan played well; Charlotte was unlucky – goals will come – but well played Jacob, you pulled them out of position to enable players to score. You don’t always have to score if you are creating space.”
“The second game again started end to end,” John continued. “Isaac got injured so put Ben on for him. Ben scored our first then they scored 1 – 1 then Ben scores again 2 – 1 then they score again 2 – 2. Then they score again, then Olivia scores her first 3 – 2 they score again 3 – 3. Ben shoots from halfway line and it went in 4 – 3 then Olivia takes on two players and scores her second goal 5 – 3. Then Olivia gets a rebound and scores her first hat trick 6 – 3!”
Bradford’s Paul Jubb congratulated Titans. “Our Under 16’s Blues lost two tight games against Club Doncaster Titans A. Maybe the scores didn’t really reflect the games on the day and hopefully if we play them again, we will do better. Alex was the player of the day.”
In the day’s other fixtures, Hornets Black and Sheffield Black traded wins in their two games. Titans’ two wins sees them top the group by just three points from Hornets and Sheffield with Bradford Blues already looking forward to Matchday 3.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Club Doncaster Titans Ability Counts FC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | Hillsborough Hornets Disability FC U16 B | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Sheffield FC Youth U16 SFCD Black | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Bradford City FITC Disability U16 Blues | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
The Juniors are back in action at Goals Sheffield on Sunday 4th September, and www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com will be there to watch.
Next up, the seven-a-side teams head for Concord Sports Centre on Sunday, 13th November for matchday two of their season.
Follow the action at our website or on Twitter @SYorksACL!
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 