First Team Match Reports 2005-2006

Liversedge 3 Sheffield FC 1

Northern Counties East League Cup Final 2nd Leg

Saturday, 06/05/06

It was just one (or two) games too many within such a hectic schedule as Sheffield reliquished their grip on the League Cup at The Claybourne. Thursday's 2-0 reversal meant that they started this second leg already chasing the game, with the hosts happy to sit back and take their time looking for the openings as the visitors tried to get back in the tie.

Sheffield started the game kicking down the slope and playing in a somewhat unusual all white kit with red socks. It was the hosts who had the first chance inside five minutes when the Liversedge captain saw his shot just sail wide of the post. Holmes then had an equally good chance at the other end, evading a couple of tackles but scuffing his shot wide of the mark. On the twenty minute mark the visitors had a glorious opportunity to get back into this tie when good work in the middle of the park saw the ball put through to Pete Smith who ran onto it, but shot the wrong side of the post. That miss proved to be a turning point as just past the half hour mark Liversedge struck. Sheffield failed to close down the oncoming player and he unleashed a shot from the edge of the area straight into the top corner, giving Bonnington little chance. Sheffield came back strongly towards the end of the half, Bray having a shot smothered by the keeper and then, in the ensuing goalmouth scramble the ball was headed off the line to safety. The final chance fell to Tom Jones, who's header hit the post from White's corner kick.

Sheffield started the second half on the defensive, as Liversedge gained a succession of corner kicks. Eventually the visitors started to settle again and finally got on the scoresheet as PETE SMITH was on hand to bundle the ball home from two yards after a goalmouth scramble. Any optimism soon evaporated as a minute later Liversedge took the lead again as a cross cum shot hit one off their attackers and deflected into the net. This was the last throw of the dice as manager McCarthy decided on a triple substitution. Try as they might the Sheffield lads were thwarted by a well organised defence who had victory in their sights. The game was over and done with just past the hour mark when the home side got their third goal of the day from the penalty spot following Bonnington's trip on an onrushing forward, the saving grace being that at least the keeper wasn't red-carded for the incident. That's the way it finished, so congratulations to Liversedge, look after the cup for us until next year and congratulations to Sheffield for reaching the final yet again. Let's face it, it was always going to be a monumental effort to play THREE cup finals in a week.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Tom Jones

Liversedge: Not Known

Sheffield: Bonnington, G.Smith, Cressey, Jones, Marsh, Holmes, O'Carroll (Roney), Hilton, P.Smith (Ward), Bray(Tevendale), White.

Sheffield FC 0 Liversedge 2

Northern Counties East League Cup Final 1st Leg

Thursday, 04/05/06

Club are left with a mountain to climb if they are to achieve a double-double on Saturday, after losing by two goals to nil at home to Liversedge in the first leg of the League Cup Final. On a balmy evening at the Coach and Horses Ground, it was a case of "after the Lord Mayor's Parade", as the game was played out in a very un-cup final like atmosphere. A goal in each half from the visitors did the damage, with Gareth Hamlet grabbing the opener just before the break, and Richard Marshall nicking a second just after the restart.

If anything Sheffield seemed to start the game continuing on the "high" they had finished on 48 hours earlier, with James Tevendale being put through in a similar situation early on to the one that had seen him score the equaliser against Parkgate, this time though Tev was unable to show the same cool composure and blasted over the top. But Liversedge didn't finish second place through luck alone, and some quality football gave Sheffield a couple of scares as a Richard Marshall Header hit the bar, and seconds later Wayne Crossley was put through one-on-one with Lee Broster only to slice wide. Darren Holmes showed signs of the form that had won him joint BTF Player of the Season earlier this evening, dispossessing Simon Wood twice in a matter of minutes to set Club in with a couple of chances - the first falling to James Tevendale who lashed over, the second ending with Wes Milnes slicing the ball over his own bar. Minutes before the interval Liversedge grabbed an important away goal with some great combination play; Craig Farrand crossing, Crossley steering the ball on to HAMLET who slammed in from close range. It could have been worse seconds before the interval, only a goal-line clearance from Gavin Smith prevented a worse half-time scoreline.

Seven minutes into the second half Liversedge all but engraved their name on the trophy with a vital second goal, Gareth Hamlet turning provider this time crossing the ball, with MARSHALL turning the ball in to the delight of the visiting bench. Marshall almost put the game completely out of reach with a shot from the edge of the area; with Lee Broster beaten it was only the width of the bar that denied the visitors. Liversedge looked to have the game well under control, limiting Sheffield to the odd effort on goal, with a header from Tom Jones coming the closest. So Sheffield have it all to do on Saturday, needing to score at least three goals to retain the trophy - it won't be impossible, but it will be far from easy - even given Sheffield's impressive record at the Claybourn.

Sheffield FC: Broster, Hilton, Boulter (O'Carroll), Jones, Cressey, G.Smith (White), Marsh, Carrington, Ward, Tevendale (Bray), Holmes.

Liversedge: Sutcliffe, Wood, Brompton, Milnes, Brown, Farrand, Borland, Lowe, Marshall, Hamlet, Crossley (McKeown). Subs Not Used: Manners, Hewitt.

Sheffield FC 0 Liversedge 2

Northern Counties East League Cup Final 1st Leg

Thursday, 04/05/06

Sheffield FC: Broster, Hilton, Boulter (O'Carroll), Jones, Cressey, G.Smith (White), Marsh, Carrington, Ward, Tevendale (Bray), Holmes.

Liversedge: Sutcliffe, Wood, Brompton, Milnes, Brown, Farrand, Borland, Lowe, Marshall, Hamlet, Crossley (McKeown). Subs Not Used: Manners, Hewitt.

Parkgate 1 Sheffield FC 2

Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup Final

Played at Hillsborough

Tuesday, 02/05/06

Where do you begin? Talk about "Groundhog Day" - if ever there was a case of lightning striking twice in the same place then this was it - although instead of Ben Cressey thunderbolt in front of the Kop in the 91st minute, this season we have Rob Ward at the Leppings Lane end. So apart from cutting and pasting last season's final report and changing the names to protect the innocent, it really was déjà vu except this season the plucky underdogs didn't pull it off for a fairytale finish, instead it was Sheffield FC in their unaccustomed role of pre-match favourites that snatched it to break the hearts of the little Rotherham outfit. And to be fair the fairytale looked as though it could be on after Parkgate capitalised on some early nervousness from the holders, taking the lead from Ryan Johnson in the eighth minute, before Sheffield pulled level with a cool equaliser from James Tevendale. Then as extra time looked inevitable, and the underdogs started to tire, Sheffield coach Dave McCarthy pulled a masterstroke with two minutes to go by bringing on the fresh legs of Rob Ward.... well we know the rest don't we?

On a surprisingly poor surface, the Steelmen were the side who took the initiative by putting the early pressure on Club, with free-scoring Brian Cusworth looking a threat quite early on and giving the back pairing of Craig Marsh and Tom Jones enough warning that this wasn't going to be an easy evening at Hillsborough. Ryan Johnson gave fair warning of what was to come, causing Lee Broster to make a save in the opening minutes, after being set free on the right wing. In the eighth minute Parkgate earned a corner, Sheffield failed to deal with it sufficiently, and stepping out from the mêlée came JOHNSON to stab the ball home for only his second goal of the season. Naturally Sheffield were stung into action, and despite putting a fair amount of pressure on the Parkgate defence, there wasn't much to be said in the way of serious trouble for the defence. In fact prior to the goal the nearest Club came to testing Lee Manderson in the Steelmen's net came from one of their own players, with Mark Cooper's header going perilously close to own-goal land, following an excellent cross from Matt Roney. Midway through the half a Jon Boulter corner found Gavin Smith unmarked at the near post, and it took a save of the highest order from Manderson to stop Sheffield drawing level, although he was only to able to maintain the lead for a few seconds more. From the clearance Sheffield were awarded a free-kick ten yards inside their own half, and with everyone still squeezing forward out of defence Ryan O'Carroll to advantage with some quick thinking that set James Tevendale free on goal, showing great composure and coolness under pressure TEVENDALE calmly lobbed the ball over the advancing Manderson and into the empty net.

The second half saw Sheffield start to get a grip on proceedings, after Parkgate had more or less dictated how the first half was going to be played, and the lower league side began to look a little shaky at times - with a prime example coming ten minutes in after Lee Manderson dropped the ball under no pressure, nearly allowing James Tevendale to snap up a gift goal, before gratefully snatching the ball into his grasp once more. Gavin Smith went close after nearly stabbing the ball home at the back post following a free-kick, whilst a long ball found Tevendale on the run and free on goal again, only the Sheffield forward was unable to bring the ball under control on the unpredictable surface with Manderson the grateful party once more. Whilst both teams settled into playing some decent football, Parkgate never really looked as if they were the ones who were going to get their name on the trophy, as the Steelmen's legs started to tire somewhat. Their best opportunity of the half came from a Gary Lynan free-kick that found Brian Cusworth in the middle; again Lee Broster was up to the task, making the save look relatively easy. Sheffield were starting to get more and more openings between the Parkgate defence as time went on, with Peter Smith nearly hooking home a corner, and in the last five minutes substitute Richard Carrington crossed to Chris White whose shot was blocked by Manderson, the rebound falling to Peter Smith once more who could only blaze the ball over the bar. Then came the substitution of R.Ward for P.Smith - within seconds of coming on a great break down the right saw super-sub Ward cross the ball across the net, Chris White unmarked and with an open net - a goal surely? Let's blame the surface shall we? The ball didn't even go out for a goal-kick such was the abysmal-ness of the shot - but we won't go into that, because we got a happy ending! As the board for stoppage time went up another Sheffield forward move, Parkgate were on the ropes, Darren Holmes to James Tevendale to Rob Ward and a great save from Manderson turning the ball around the post. From the corner Jon Boulter crossed it into the mixer; up rose the "beast" that is WARD - header - goal - mayhem! As far as knock-out punches go, that was up there with the best of 'em, and you don't get back up from those! Game over!

So yet again, fourth spot in the Northern Counties East, a Senior Cup Final victory with a possibility of a League Cup by the end of the week - it might not be better than last year but it's getting to be as good as. But let's not forget the part Parkgate played in all this evening, a plucky performance that would rank up there with some of the best opponents Club have faced this season, not forgetting they also put paid to last season's finalists Worksop Town, and some other teams called Stocksbridge and Hallam or something. And it also could make you wonder if a certain Mr Cheetham hadn't played the last ten minutes for Sheffield, against Hollinsend in this competition earlier this season before shipping out to Parkgate, whether it might have been a different story - I don't know and frankly don't care to find out - as I said yet again this story had a happy ending as far as Sheffield Football Club is concerned. And that's good enough for us, isn't it? By the way, if we win it next year, do we get to keep it?

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Jon Boulter

Parkgate FC: Manderson, Cooper, Lynan (Plant), Colley, Moorwood, Haigh, Outram, Patterson, Cusworth, Gould, Johnson (Turner). Sub Not Used: Dawson.

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Holmes, O'Carroll, Roney (Carrington), P.Smith (Ward), Tevendale, White. Sub Not Used: Hilton.

Sheffield FC 0 Harrogate RA 4

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Wednesday, 26/04/06

Tonight was make or break for Sheffield as they went in search of the win that would keep the destiny of promotion still in their own hands as we go to the final two games of the season.

With present strike partnership of Ward and Tevendale both out injured it was left to Monday nights hero Pete Smith and winger White to spearhead the home attack, with proven goalscorer Duncan Bray consigned to the substitutes bench.

It was a tentative start by the home side, who looked uneasy, this against the same side they outplayed only four days earlier with ten men for over eighty minutes. On the quarter hour mark Carrington found himself in a good position and his turn and shot cannoned off the post with the keeper well beaten. This was the closest Sheffield came to a goal and two minutes later they went one down when a harmless cross into the area saw Howarth hit a shot which JONES deflected into his own goal.

This gave the visitors the edge and they had the better of the possession as Sheffield constantly played the long ball up front which was easy pickings for Morgan and Henderson in the middle of the Harrogate defence. White wasted a good chance and then Ryan went close for the visitors before Marchant had a rasping drive tipped over the bar by Broster. Just before the break it was Marchant again who had a glorious chance to double the visitors lead as he raced into the area, only to hit the ball high, wide and not very handsome.

If there was a touch of fortune about Harrogate's first goal, there was no argument about the other goals as they hit a three goal salvo in the space of fifteen minutes.First to strike was HENDERSON who met Marchant's corner unchallenged to head into the top corner.This was quickly followed by SCOTT RYAN poking the ball home after a scramble in the Sheffield goalmouth. This seemed to wake up the home side who at last grasped the fact how important the game was but it was too little too late as, on the hour mark MARCHANT scored the goal of the game with a brilliant diving header which gave Broster no chance.

With such a cushion, a buoyant Harrogate were content to sit back and allow the home side to come forward, repelling everything that Sheffield could throw at them. In the end though the statistics say it all as it was the last minute of play when Whitford in the Harrogate goal had to make his first proper save of the evening from a Marsh header.

A very disappointing performance in such an important game when the visitors were certainly 'up for it', and we weren't at the races.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Jon Boulter

Sheffield: Broster, G.Smith (Hilton), Boulter, T.Jones, Marsh, Winters, O'Carroll, Carrington (Cressey), P.Smith (Bray), Roney, White.

Harrogate Railway Athletic: Whitford, Haigh, Turner, Morgan, Henderson (Stevenson), James, Howarth, L.Ryan (A.Jones), Marchant, Gray (Budge), S.Ryan.

Sheffield FC 1 Buxton 0

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Monday, 24/04/06

Name your cliché folks, this one had 'em all - "game of two halves", "it ain't over till the fat lady sings", "sick as a parrot", "over the moon" and many more! Northern Counties East Champions Buxton came to the Bright Finance Stadium, looking to complete the season undefeated away from home, and they almost did it - I repeat "almost" - as a last minute strike from Sheffield substitute Peter Smith put paid to that particular record. In an almost carbon-copy of the same fixture last season, Club grabbed a goal at the death, when earlier many would have been satisfied to take a point against the sleeping giants. As it was Sheffield finished the stronger, and after replacing ex-Buxton star James Tevendale in the dying moments of the game, it was super-sub Peter Smith who stepped up with a Morientes-esque strike to give the hosts all three points.

Naturally with a week ahead like the one the Bucks have to face, a certain amount of restraint would only have been natural to stop an injury list build up, though the way they started you wouldn't think so. Ex-Stocksbridge player Alvyn Riley forced a good save from Lee Broster early on, cutting in from the right wing before unleashing a fearsome shot, whilst moments later Ryan O'Carroll cleared off the line from a Dan MacPherson header. Whilst Buxton poured forward and virtually dominated the game in the territory stakes, apart from the odd scare Sheffield repelled everything the Bucks threw at them, with Tom Jones and Craig Marsh looking cool and under control at the back. When Sheffield did break they looked as dangerous as we all know they can be, and a through ball from Darryl Winter found James Tevendale bearing down on goal after losing his marker, unfortunately Scott Dinnigan was up to the mark and beat the ball away with a solid stop. Moments after Gavin Smith sent Tevendale through again, this time it was the bravery of Buxton skipper Darren Brookes that stopped a certain goal, a matter made even worse for Sheffield when the ball cannoned out to Rob Ward a yard out - the was little he could do about it as the rebound hit him and went inches wide of the goal. That incident was the last contribution by Brookes, and despite the loss of this influential opponent, Sheffield were never really able to take advantage of the situation, with the only real chances in the rest of the half coming from James Tevendale - who lashed the ball across the face of the goal - and Alvyn Riley who put a shot into the side netting.

The second half started at a more sedate pace, and to be honest it seemed to suit Sheffield a lot more than the visitors, as it was they this time that were the pressing force. Even so it took a fair time before anything of note really happened, not that the game was dull; it was just that the teams were so evenly matched. On the hour mark Sheffield kick-started their assault to try and get a positive result from this fixture, and Richard Carrington nearly produced the goods with a trademark solo run, the shot at the end though was a bit more wayward than the home support would have liked. Jon Boulter put a testing corner into the middle shortly after, Rob Ward rose to head the ball against the foot of the post; somehow it didn't look like the winner was going to come from a man in a red shirt. In a couple of recent games I've apparently jinxed Sheffield by making a note that the game "had goal-less written all over it", then watched in horror as the results against Arnold (0-3) and Harrogate (0-1) have gone against us, tonight the same could have been applied as Stuart Copnell raced through on goal with only Lee Broster to beat, as so many times recently the big man came to the rescue to block with a terrific save. Sheffield lost both strikers towards the end of the game, both seemingly through muscle pulls; however the second of these substitutions turned out to be a masterstroke - although it looked as if it was "so near - yet so far" (another cliché sorry!). Seconds after coming on a through ball found Peter Smith, beating all the cover Smith hit the ball that beat everyone including Dinnigan, then watched amazed as the ball hit the post and to safety. Surely that was it as far as the game went, then as the board for stoppage time was held up came the endgame; Richard Carrington was found in space, his shot was blocked but somehow fell into the path of SMITH, who from a narrow angle turned and lashed the ball into the net to send the home fans into delirium. Drama? Not half!

This fixture never fails to serve up something, whether it is the unexpected big victory or the drama of a late goal, it never fails to be entertaining. Buxton deserved the title no doubt, and they will have plenty of time to celebrate, but tonight it was the turn of the Sheffield side to be elated. Club remain in fourth as Hallam failed to do a favour, losing heavily to Harrogate Rail tonight, and that's the next one up everyone. As I said after Saturday, "SIX CUP FINALS IN TWO WEEKS", well that's one down and five to go. Well done Macca and the boys, great spirit and a great result and all played in a fair contest!

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Tom Jones

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Winter, O'Carroll, Carrington, Ward (Roney), White, Tevendale (P.Smith). Sub Not Used: Hilton.

Buxton: Dinnigan, Wharton, MacPherson, Brookes (Griffin), Middleton, Willis, Copnell, Foster, Reeves, Reed (Wifindale), Riley. Sub Not Used: Hartley.

Harrogate Railway Athletic 1 Sheffield FC 0

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 22/04/06

The ball's in Harrogate's court now, after a stunning Ryan O'Carroll goal ten minutes from the end gave them a victory over a Sheffield outfit that had battled on for nearly all the game with ten men, following Darryl Winter's dismissal in the 9th minute at Station View this afternoon. The game had goal-less written all over it, with the visitors more than holding their own against the eleven men of the hosts, and it took a fluke of the highest nature to give Railway all three points and catapult them above Club into the third (and expected second promotional) spot.

With this being Club's final away league game of the season, victory would have virtually had third place all sewn up, and it looked from the opening passages of play that would be the likely outcome. Railway's keeper Wilford had to pull off a spectacular save in the 5th minute, following a Tevendale cross which found Ward in the middle, the big forward able to shake his marker to get a superb flick header on target, only to be denied by the keeper. In the 9th minute came the decision which probably swung the balance of the game back towards Harrogate, after being on the back foot for all of the game to this point, when Winter dived in for what appeared to be a 50-50 challenge with Marchant. Both players appeared to come out of the challenge as bad as each other, but the reactions from the players and the benches had tempers flared in the middle of the park, and the referee ensured it was the Sheffield man that got his marching orders. Despite the man advantage Harrogate never really threatened Broster's goal, with the best effort coming from a Scott Ryan cross that found Howarth unmarked in the area, and despite being free to do as he wished the header went well wide of the mark. The ten men of Sheffield went into the break on top, and could have done so on the scoreboard had Ward converted another quality cross from Tevendale, this time the ball went just wide of the target.

After the break Railway came out the stronger of the two, and their big number five Rob Morgan nearly tipped the scales completely in the opening minutes, with a header that should have found the target. Scott Ryan turned provider for Chris Howarth again shortly after, the left winger slotting the ball through into space; however a great stop by Broster at the feet of the ex-Leeds United Junior denied the hosts the lead. Broster came to Sheffield's rescue once again midway through the half, this time a cross from the right by lively midfielder Chris James found Scott Ryan in the middle, the winger's header though was excellently beaten away by the Sheffield stopper. That was it as far as Harrogate had to offer in the game, and apart from the eventual winner late on, they never created a real clear chance for themselves. Sheffield on the other hand could - and should - have taken the points if not for some slightly disappointing finishing from the speedy forwards who left the opposition lead footed. Chris White had two solo runs that left Morgan and Henderson treading water, on both occasions running half the length of the field, before unleashing a surprisingly below-par shot that never tested the Harrogate keeper. In between these Tevendale played substitute Carrington in with a chance, again this didn't really test Wilford, going wide of the mark. The sucker-punch came in the 80th minute, and it certainly knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, such was the apparent unjustness of the goal and the fashion in which it came. Howarth took the ball on the left wing, lofted what appeared to be a harmless looking cross into the middle - one which Jones, Marsh and company had routinely cleared all afternoon - on the end of it was O'CARROLL who swung a boot at the ball, only to see it diverted goalwards and out of the reach of the despairing Broster who hadn't put a foot wrong all afternoon.

Sheffield can still get the vital third place; all they have to do is win their final three home games, all to be played in the next seven days. It sounds easy, but when you consider the three opponents are the newly crowned champions Buxton, today's opponents Harrogate Railway in a quick reverse fixture, and Sutton Town on the last day of the season - then it starts to sound a little more challenging. The week after we have three cup finals in a week - I think with this coming week's calendar you'd better make it SIX cup finals in TWO weeks!

BTF Club Man Of The Match - James Tevendale

Harrogate Railway Athletic: Wilford, Haigh, Turner, Henderson, Morgan, James, Howarth, L.Ryan, Marchant, Gray, S.Ryan. Subs Not Used: Stephenson, Jones, Whitehead.

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Winter, O'Carroll, Hilton, Ward (Carrington), Tevendale (P.Smith), White (Roney).

Pickering Town 1 Sheffield FC 1

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Wednesday, 19/04/06

Sheffield consolidated their third place league position in this hard fought draw at Mill Lane.

Club started the game kicking uphill and into the rain, which had just started prior to kick off. Despite this the pitch was holding up well and not cutting up too badly. It was a scrappy opening ten minutes as both sides got to grips with the conditions, and each other. Around the quarter hour mark it was the home side who had the best chance, with Drinkall firing over the bar from the edge of the area. Sheffield responded with an O'Carroll free kick which found Marsh unmarked at the back post, but his header was cleared. Pickering were having the majority of the possession without creating many clear cut chances, as the visitors were content to soak up the pressure and hit the Pikes on the break. Five minutes from half time and Willgrass had the best chance of the game. A mistake by O'Carroll in midfield led to the home side getting a cross into the area and the home skipper struck it hard but not too accurate as it sailed over the bar. Sheffield had a late flurry a minute later when they caught Pickering on the back foot, but the home defence were able to block the shots, giving Silburn in the home net little to do.

Sheffield started the second half more in command, as they took advantage of the slope, with Ward and Tevendale giving the home defence more to worry about. The game was becoming very physical, which seemed to upset the home side more than the visitors, although neither side was helped by some strange refereeing decisions. On 76 minutes Sheffield finally got the breakthrough they'd been threatening all through the half. A Gavin Smith corner caused panic in the area , and as the ball was bouncing around from player to player it was WARD who got a foot to it to stab it into the roof of the net. This seemed to shake up Pickering who then started to exert more pressure, but the Sheffield defence were holding firm, whilst at the other end half chances went begging to put the game safe. The next goal would be crucial, and with five minutes left to play it was Pickering who got the goal. A long ball into the area wasn't cleared properly and in the melee of players the ball was poked over the line (although as to who actually scored was a mystery as there were that many players milling around the area at the time, and frankly we don't particularly care !). Sheffield still had time to snatch all three points when Gavin Smith's goalbound header was deflected for a corner, but Pickering were able to clear the danger as the referee brought the game to an end.

Sheffield showed that they can grind out a result, as well as play fancy football, a quality which may well be needed with the backlog of matches coming up in the next two weeks.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Jon Boulter

Pickering Town:- Silburn, Pallender, Brunton, Ramm, McNaughton, Morton, Greening, Willgrass(Stillgoe), Swales, Nogan, Drinkall. Unused Subs.Baines, Rose

Sheffield:- Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Winters, O'Carroll, Hilton, Ward, Tevendale(P.Smith), Holmes(White). Unused Sub. Roney.

Sheffield FC 3 Glasshoughton Welfare 1

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 15/04/06

Club returned to winning ways after Thursday's stunning defeat at home to Arnold, beating a brave Glasshoughton outfit 3-1 at the Bright Finance Stadium, in an entertaining contest in (for once) very pleasant conditions. After shading a pretty tight first half, but going in at the break level, Sheffield came out with all guns blazing in the second period to wrap the game up within fifteen minutes of the restart. Rob Ward got back in the scoring mood with two goals, a first half penalty and a sweet strike in the second, either side of an excellent equaliser from Kurtis Noble and a not-so-excellent own goal from Simon Collins.

For much of the first period it was a battle of wills in the middle, with neither side threatening the other's goal, and the first real action of the game resulted in a goal for the home team. On the half hour mark Darren Holmes made a trademark jinking run into the Glasshoughton area, only to be upended by a trip from Karl Jancowicz; up stepped WARD to blast the ball past keeper Lee Ashforth who might feel he could have stopped the ball with more of a hand on it. Welfare didn't look like a side that had struggled to win away from home since November, and looked to address that little statistic by pressing the Sheffield goal with some aggression, with Danny King forcing a good save from Lee Broster a sign of what was to come. Three minutes before the break Glasshoughton pulled level with a beautifully worked goal, with some good work down the right from Adam Sadler and Simon Collins, eventually sending in an inch perfect cross that was met by a sweet header from NOBLE.

Whatever was said in the Sheffield dressing room at half time obviously worked wonders, as from the re-start the hosts had the visitors on the back foot from the off, and in the 53rd minute the pressure produced its just desserts albeit in an unusual way. A free kick from Darren Holmes was floated into the middle, and with no Sheffield player really pressurising the defender, COLLINS glanced a header goalwards to keeper Lee Ashforth who somehow conspired to let the ball over the line for an OWN-GOAL. Despite having a little nervous flutter at the back, with Tom Jones having to clear off the line, Sheffield went in search of the killer goal and got it just four minutes later. Once again Holmes was the provider, with his cross reaching WARD in the middle, the big striker using some good strength to hold off Simon Brooker before stabbing the ball into the roof of the net. After that it was a simple case of Sheffield having to do just enough to ensure they remained with all three points, much needed after the traumas of midweek, and a sign the confidence hasn't been knocked off too much. Either way with the other results going Sheffield's way, the difference is back to three points over Arnold, in the race for that third spot.

BTF Man Of The Match - James Tevendale

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Holmes, Winter, Hilton, Ward (P.Smith), Tevendale (Carrington), White (Roney).

Glasshoughton Welfare: Ashforth, Collins, Newton, Jancowicz, Brooker, Thompson (N.Smith), Sadler, Liversedge, Noble (Wilkes), King, Fox (Higgins).

Sheffield FC 0 Arnold Town 3

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Thursday, 13/04/06

What can you say about this? Talk about a stunner, this one really is up there with them; a game that had nil-nil written all over it, not much to talk about - then out of nowhere three goals in the space of ten minutes when the match was in its death throes, to give the game a scoreline that looks incredibly one-sided. Arnold became the first team to do the double over Sheffield this season, and like the game in Nottingham back in September, it was one where the scoreline never really did Club much justice. Goals from David Wilkins, Iain Screaton and Chris Peet did the damage in a great performance from the Arnold boys, however many of those present will have gone away from the ground scratching their heads trying to figure out what exactly happened here.

The first period didn't offer much from either side; in fact Sheffield should have gone into the interval with the lead, after Matt Roney's cross was met by the head of Richard Carrington - only to see Arnold's Chris Hudson clear the ball off the line. Lee Broster was in good form against his old club for much of the game, and made some fine stops to help keep the stalemate, the best coming from a point blank shot from David Wilkins, after scrambling to his feet after making a double-save seconds earlier. A triple substitution in the second half by Sheffield boss Dave McCarthy seemed to swing the impetus the way of the hosts, with Duncan Bray setting things moving with an excellent solo run and shot, only to be denied by an equally good save by Arnold's keeper Dave McCarthy. With fifteen minutes to go Arnold got a free-kick on the edge of the Sheffield area, Scott Huckerby drove the ball into the middle, WILKINS got a flick and the ball was in the net. If that wasn't stunning enough, five minutes later Arnold got another free-kick at the opposite side of the area, Huckerby shaped once again to take the kick - this time though PEET stepped up and drove the ball through the wall, and past Broster, to make it an unlikely 2-0 scoreline. If that wasn't enough, four minutes after this shock a solo run down the right wing resulted in a defence splitting cross, that gave SCREATON the easiest of jobs of tapping home - amazing! Whilst it's been a fair time since a side of Arnold's calibre have faced Sheffield, this was never a three goal victory in a month of Sundays; they were good - but not THAT good. This win has closed the gap between Club and the Eagles to just one point, something that wasn't in the script before tonight; hopefully Sheffield can regain their confidence on the pitch with an expected victory on Saturday over Glasshoughton.

BTF Man Of The Match - Lee Broster

Sheffield FC: Broster, Hilton, Boulter, Jones, G.Smith, Winter, Holmes, Carrington (White), P.Smith (Ward), Tevendale (Bray), Roney.

Arnold Town: McCarthy, Watson, Davies, Huckerby, Peet, Hudson (Brown), White, Thompson, Mabon, Screaton, Wilkins. Subs Not Used: Hall, Middleton.

Wakefield-Emley 1 Sheffield FC 1 (3-4 on penalties)

Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup Semi Final

Played at the Bright Finance Stadium, Sheffield

Saturday, 08/04/06

Hillsborough here we come - once again! Sheffield Club continued their defence of the cup they won last season in the most dramatic of fashions, beating Wakefield-Emley at a boggy Bright Finance Stadium 4-3 on penalties, after the two sides failed to be separated after two hours of frantic football. Darren Holmes put the "visitors" in front with a fantastic solo effort, although the lead lasted under two minutes before Matthew Hoyle equalised, and despite each team having a share of bombarding the other's goalmouth, there was little between the two teams on the day. The pitch was always going to have a say in proceedings, and whilst it has to be said groundsman Pete Bowden put in a sterling job in getting the game on, the fact we had sleet, hailstones, driving rain, wind and even a bit of sunshine the surface soon cut up in places making footing very difficult.

You wouldn't have thought there were two divisions between the two sides based on the opening exchanges, Sheffield really did give as good as they got, with Matt Roney starting hostilities by putting James Tevendale in on goal - Tevendale's shot being lashed just wide of the mark. Matthew Hoyle had an opportunity to open the scoring shortly after, being put in enough space to take the ball round Lee Broster, the Sheffield keeper did enough to put the young striker off fortunately. Tevendale combined with Rob Ward to set the big Sheffield forward open on the corner of the area, Ward's shot also just went wide, but the openings were starting to come thick and fast. Jon Boulter threaded the ball through to Matt Roney on the edge of the six yard box, who in turn set up Pete Smith; somehow the ball was kept out by a combination of the keeper, the defenders and a huge slice of luck. Tevendale and Roney worked together to provide Ward with a chance, this time Rob Tonks was there to deny Club, then seconds later Tevendale nearly converted an effort himself - again the finished touch was just not close enough. In the 33rd minute the breakthrough finally came Sheffield's way, after HOLMES picked up the ball just inside the Wakefield-Emley half, skating round the entire defence and playing a one-two with Ward before lifting the ball over Andy Wood into the net. The lead was deserved but not to last that long, two minutes to be exact, as Niall O'Brien split the up-to-now un-breachable defence with an inch perfect pass straight down the middle to HOYLE who remained composed enough to bend the ball past Broster.

Both sides found it nigh-on impossible to keep on their feet in the start of the second period of normal time, the half time deluge really adding to the difficult conditions both teams were already enduring, eventually though it was Wakefield-Emley that started to take the initiative with the majority of the chances falling their way. In fact between Matt Hoyle, Alex Nesovich and Steve Kenworthy the game could have been long sewn up if any of them could have created a decent finish. A long throw was flicked on by the head of Hoyle, Kenworthy slid in at the back post unattended, somehow Broster was alert enough to the situation to get down to block at point-blank range. Nesovich headed a glorious opportunity over from a Hoyle cross, Hoyle set up Nesovich in return who managed to curl his effort just wide of the target, whilst Norbury lofted a great long ball through to Hoyle who lifted the ball wide. Sheffield's best chance of this half came after Roney controlled a long ball from Gavin Smith, unfortunately the finish didn't match the skill shown in controlling, and Wood never really had to do much to keep the ball out. Later on in normal time Nesovich set up Hoyle again, and yet again Broster was able to keep the UniBond side at bay with another block, but in reality this game always looked to have extra time written all over it.

If Wakefield-Emley had the second half, then undoubtedly it was Sheffield who dominated extra-time, in fact it was the Northern Counties East side that looked the fitter of the two. The first period of extra-time saw Sheffield in the ascendancy, with Darren Holmes denied an absolute certain goal after being found in space, amazingly substitute Richard Whitefield managed to get a vital touch to deflect the ball a hair's breadth wide of the post. Wakefield-Emley's job was made all the more difficult following the dismissal of the fiery Mickey Norbury for a second yellow card, after handling the ball on the edge of the area, and giving the referee on too many words of dissent. Sheffield had the chance of wrapping up the contest before the lottery of penalties, with James Tevendale and Peter Smith both being put free in the area, and both firing straight into the arms of Andy Wood. So onto penalties and Lee Broster drew first blood by saving Matt Hoyle's penalty with a great full length dive to his right, although Club's joy was short-lived as Duncan Bray's spot-kick was saved by Wood diving to his left, although to be fair to Dunk there was the distraction of the ball moving on the spot. Successful kicks from Christian Fox and Simon Woods followed for Wakefield-Emley and Peter Smith and James Tevendale (who thankfully took a much better penalty than at Thackley on Tuesday) for Sheffield, before Niall O'Brien sent his effort over Broster, over the bar, and over the stand! Advantage Sheffield, Darren Holmes converted his, Broster got a hand to Lennie Curtis' penalty but couldn't keep it out, before Matt Roney emphatically slammed the ball home to give Sheffield the final spot - superb! Now, who do you fancy at Hillsborough? Parkgate or Stocksbridge?

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Tom Jones

Wakefield-Emley: Wood, Fox, Tonks (Woods), Chattoe, Watts, Norbury, Abbott (Whitefield), O'Brien, Hoyle, Nesovich (Curtis), Kenworthy.

Sheffield FC: Broster, Hilton, Boulter, Jones, G.Smith, Holmes, O'Carroll, Roney, Ward (Bray), Tevendale, P.Smith. Subs Not Used: Cressey, Ireland.

Thackley 1 Sheffield FC 3

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Tuesday, 04/04/06

Sheffield returned to third spot after this convincing victory on the road at in-form Thackley, taking their unbeaten run to twelve games now in the league, and in turn completing the double over the Bradford outfit. A controlled second half performance ensured all three points headed back down the M1 with the visitors, after two James Tevendale goals put Club justifiably out of reach well before the end of the game, with the other goal coming from a Ryan O'Carroll free-kick in the first half. The game also saw the return of Sheffield's prodigal sons Richard Carrington and Chris White, both made their first appearances back in Club colours after periods at higher level sides, and each slotted in to the side as if they'd never been away.

The surface at Dennyfield is never the easiest to play on, and the recent rainfall made the pitch especially heavy in places, so not surprisingly the best early efforts came from the home team. Dean Walters went close with a rasping shot over the top, whilst Sean Clifford nearly capitalised on a poor Lee Broster clearance, though the Sheffield keeper was quick to make amends with a quality stop. Midway through the half Sheffield started to come to life, with James Tevendale producing the best from Matt Everard, the keeper making a fine one handed save from Tev's 25 yard piledriver. Seven minutes before the interval Sheffield got their just desserts for all the hard work that had finally put them in charge on the field, when Tevendale was hauled down in a dangerous position just outside the area. Up stepped O'CARROLL with a trademark free-kick that Everard seemed to have well under control, somehow though the keeper mis-handled the ball (dislocating a finger in the process), and fumbled the shot between his ankles into the net. Whilst that won't be the prettiest goal Sheffield score this season, the one Thackley's Cory Larkin replied with seconds before the interval was of the highest order; finding himself free on the left hand side, and from a difficult angle, LARKIN struck the ball as clean as you'd like giving Broster no chance at all.

On the balance of play one goal each was probably a fair reflection of the first half, but within six minutes of the restart Club were back in front, and this time they weren't going to relinquish the lead. A well worked move found man-of-the-match Darren Holmes produce an excellent cross from the left, Peter Smith rose above the defence to flick the ball delicately into the path of James Tevendale, and TEVENDALE was quickest off the mark to knock the ball over the advancing Everard into the empty goal. A quality strike if ever there was one, and the game was made safe in the 67th minute after substitute Chris White found Holmes with a simple but effective pass, Holmes produced the space at the by-line and the perfect cross for TEVENDALE to steam in and slam the ball home. Ten minutes before the end the victory could have been even more emphatic, as Tevendale crossed the ball to Holmes in the area, Holmes must have given defender James Riley one too many headaches in the game as he tripped up the live-wire midfielder giving the referee very little option but to point to the spot. Naturally when your leading scorer is on a hat-trick you'd expect him to step up and slam the ball home and take all the plaudits, not this time though as up stepped Tevendale to fire the ball straight at Everard's legs, with the ball spinning over the bar - pretty rubbish really. Even so another three points in the bag, and the game in hand over Harrogate was capitalised upon, with Club regaining their rightful spot in the table. Next up for Sheffield is the re-arranged Sheffield Cup tie with Wakefield-Emley, followed by a busy week of three home league games in five days - let's hope the Bright Finance Stadium pitch holds up, as well as the players' legs!

BTF Man Of The Match - Darren Holmes

Thackley: Everard, Walters, Woofenden, Riley, Sugden, Firth, Larkin, Iqbal, Reilly, Clifford, Ettienne. Subs Not Used: Bentley, Cullen, Graham.

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Hilton, Jones, Marsh, Winter (Ward), O'Carroll, Carrington, P.Smith (White), Tevendale, Holmes. Sub Not Used: Bray.

Sheffield FC 3 Selby Town 1

Northern Counties East League Cup Semi Final

Thursday, 30/03/06

Sheffield cruised into the League Cup Final at a rain soaked Bright Finance Stadium.

The home side started the better showing their intention to attack at every opportunity with Roney commanding the left flank, often leaving Selby's Foley literally hanging on to him to stop the winger crossing the ball. An early shot from Tevendale was just wide of the post and then Connor almost putting the ball into his own net, but Selby's man of the match Mitchell was alert to smother the danger. Just past the quarter hour mark came Selby's first real chance, with Connor whipping in a free kick , but Broster saved easily.

The breakthrough came on 19 minutes when Holmes sent over a free kick into the area and Gavin SMITH ghosted in to power a header home. Sheffield were now in the ascendency and Jones was unlucky from a corner as his header skimmed the top of the bar. Sheffield doubled their lead just after the half hour mark when man of the match TEVENDALE shot from 25 yards and the keeper could do nothing but stand and watch it as it flew into the corner. Mitchell denied the lively striker a couple of minutes before half time when his turn and shot was well saved.

Five minutes into the second half and once again it was the heroics of Mitchell which saved the day when he made a fine instinctive save from Pete Smith. Five minutes later and it was 3-0. This time, Hilton hoisted a high ball into the area from the sideline and PETE SMITH was on hand to bundle the ball home. The game was now being played in monsoon conditions and credit to both sets of players and officials who did their best in adverse conditions. Selby's chances were very limited during the second half, with Lattimore heading over the bar when in a good position and a free kick by Connor being deflected wide.

Sheffield replaced both forwards late on, giving the Selby defence yet more to worry about as Bray jinked his way through the fragile defence to once again find Mitchell barring the Selby goal. With five minutes to go Selby got a consolation goal from the penalty spot, KAMARA sending Broster the wrong way.

So once again, Sheffield reached their fifth final in five years in a bid to retain the League Cup, only this time it will be played over two legs against either Buxton or Liversedge.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - James Tevendale

Sheffield: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Holmes, O'Carroll, Hilton, P.Smith (Ward), Tevendale (Bray), Roney. Unused Sub (Ireland).

Selby Town: Mitchell, Foley, Littler, Connor (Lattimore), Dawson, Cox, Kamara, Lyon (M.Smith), Twitchen, Rollinson, Roughley (Matthews)

Sheffield FC 1 Glapwell 0

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 11/03/06

The weather held off Dronfield long enough to let the game go ahead, and the three week break showed somewhat, as Club literally managed to scramble all three points with another Darren Holmes goal proving to be the winner once again. On a heavy pitch that took Sheffield some time to get to grips with, this game looked to have nil-nil written all over it; however with the introduction of James Tevendale at half time proving to be the master stroke, Club eventually grabbed the victory their perseverance deserved.

Glapwell looked the fresher of the two sides, and it was they who started the stronger, with player-manager Lee Wilson opening hostilities with a shot that whistled well over the bar from close range. When Sheffield put their foot ob the gas they looked quite threatening themselves, and we could have had contender for move of the season after Darren Holmes dispossessed Mark Robinson, played an inch perfect ball cross field to Peter Smith, he in turn combined with Duncan Bray to set up Holmes with an opening at the back - sadly the shot never matched the build up play. Lee Broster was doing his bit to keep a clean-sheet; Gary Castledine's cross looked dangerous, but the Sheffield stopper got down well to smother at Wilson's feet. James Dooley also went close for Glapwell, cutting in from the right wing before lashing past the post, as did James Colliver who let a good shot go from 25 yards out. Of the Sheffield boys Darren Holmes looked to cause trouble every time he got the ball, in one move leaping three challenges before chipping the ball across to Chris Hilton, whose looping header caused a little flutter in the visiting defence before keeper Louis Sprigg grabbed the ball. Club's best chance came just before the interval as Peter Smith set Bray free on the left, a goal wasn't forthcoming though as Sprigg kept his composure to block the end shot.

The introduction at half time of Tevendale and Darryl Winter gave Sheffield the impetus to threaten the Glapwell goal more often, with Tev showing great speed and balance to skip in from the right early on, sadly shooting wide of the mark. On the hour after a lengthy break for an injured linesman came the moment that swung the result in favour of the hosts; Hilton played a great through ball to Tevendale who beat Simon Poxon for pace, took it to the line before whipping in an excellent cross that left the defence at sixes and sevens, steaming in at the front post was HOLMES who made the slightest of connections to direct the ball (eventually) into the net with Sprigg and his defenders looking on helplessly. It wasn't the prettiest of goals compared to some of Holmesie's efforts this season, in fact it went in the net in instalments, but it was enough to give Sheffield the control over the game the never looked like losing from hereon. Club went close a few more times, Mark Robinson coming to the visitors' rescue shortly after clearing a Peter Smith header off the line, being the best of them. As for Glapwell the goal took the sting out of any danger they posed, their best effort coming from substitute Jamie Hardwick, who tried to smuggle the ball in from close range after a bit of a goalmouth scramble, Broster though was able to quell any worry by smothering the ball.

Not any easy game for Sheffield, and to be fair a certain amount of rustiness was to be expected after such a long enforced break, even so the win goes some way to the promotion push. There won't be long for Glapwell to wait for any revenge they might want to exact on Club, the reverse fixture is next week at Hall Corner, in between though there is (weather permitting) a small matter of a Senior Cup game at AFC Barnsley on Wednesday.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Darren Holmes

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones (Winter), Marsh, Drennan, O'Carroll, Hilton, P.Smith (Ward), Bray (Tevendale), Holmes.

Glapwell: Sprigg, Robinson, Magee, Poxon, Colliver (Hardwick), Walker, Davies, R.Smith, Wilson, Castledine, Dooley. Subs Not Used: Watson, Norwood.

Liversedge 1 Sheffield FC 2

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 18/02/06

Liversedge 1 Sheffield 2; sounds familiar? It ought to, as for the third season in a row Sheffield headed up to Claybourn for a potentially difficult match against promotion chasing Liversedge, and yet again they came away with a hard earned 2-1 victory! The hero of this gritty battle was Darren Holmes, whose twinkle-toed effort after 59 minutes was the difference between two very evenly matched sides, after goals from Peter Smith and Chris Walton ensured the first period ended all square. The victory takes Sheffield into second place, although 'Sedge still have four games in hand on Club, a position that shows exactly how far they have come since the dark days of October.

It was obvious neither side was going to allow this contest to peter out into a lifeless draw, as both sides set out to try and get that psychological advantage of ending the day in the higher table placing, and it was the visitors who looked most likely in the early stages. Kyle Sutcliffe was the busier of the two keepers by far, and had to be on top form to make certain Sheffield weren't out of sight with some crucial stops, making two vital saves from a one-on-one with Duncan Bray and turning a Matt Roney shot round the post. Club didn't have the best of luck losing John Drennan in the opening ten minutes through injury, although fortune did shine favourably on the visitors when James Nestor had the ball in the back of the net, only to see it ruled out through offside. In the 19th minute the scoring was opened, and it was Sheffield who obliged with SMITH capitalising on some sloppy defending to head over Sutcliffe into the empty net, following Hayden Lobley's feeble attempt to head a Jon Boulter through ball back to his keeper. Club were clearly in the ascendancy, dealing with everything and anything the hosts threw at them, with Marsh, Jones and Broster having towering games at the rear. Peter Smith almost doubled his tally after being put through by Ryan O'Carroll; the forward turned Liam Brompton to get a shot away, only for Sutcliffe to get down well to block the Sheffield man's shot. Darren Holmes set Matt Roney free on the left, the substitute managed to send in an almost perfect ball leaving Sutcliffe stranded, sadly for Sheffield Wes Milnes managed to scramble the ball clear just as Peter Smith was about to cock the trigger. Five minutes before the interval Liversedge got themselves level, as another attack from the hosts was only half cleared this time, as far as WALTON who let a crisp shot go from the edge of the area leaving Broster little chance.

Sheffield were again the brightest starters after the interval, and could count themselves extremely unlucky not to take the lead inside the opening minute after Duncan Bray's shot left Sutcliffe at sixes and sevens, hitting the post before scrambling into the grateful keeper's arms. On the hour came the moment the game will be remembered for, with the ball finding its way to Darren Homes; after twisting, turning, tripping, jinking and digging the ball through three Liversedge defenders, HOLMES finally ended up with the goal at his mercy and toe-poked the ball into the net much to the delight of the visiting fans, players and officials - superb! Liversedge were by no means done, and spent much of the rest of the game camped in Sheffield's territory, but never really came that close to returning to parity. Lee Broster got down well to stop shots from Paul Walker and substitute Richard Marshall, whilst John Borland should have done much better, heading wide of an unguarded net after a goalmouth scramble. An effort from Craig Farrand had to be cleared from the line by Gavin Smith, but for all their effort and bluster Liversedge looked all but out on their feet, with several players looking jaded by the end. Just before the final whistle Duncan Bray had a chance to wrap things up, following some more good work from Matt Roney, again though Sedge's star player Sutcliffe managed to overcome personal pain to get down to smother the ball at Bray's feet.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Darren Holmes

Liversedge: Sutcliffe, Brompton (Haigh), Lowe, Milnes, Lobley, Farrand, Borland, Walton, Nestor (Marshall), Hamlet, Walker (Crossley).

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Drennan (Roney), O'Carroll, Hilton, P.Smith, Bray, Holmes. Subs Not Used: Ward, Davey.

Sheffield FC 6 Gedling Town 1

Northern Counties East League Cup Quarter Final

Wednesday, 15/02/06

Sheffield went goal crazy in the first half at the Coach and Horses tonight, hitting five in the space of twenty minutes to put paid to any chance of a cup upset, and booking a semi-final slot in their defence of the cup they won last season. The score could have been even higher if not for some missed chances by the home side, though it has to be said the visitors looked to be in with a real chance up to the midway point of the first half, holding the hosts scoreless and even having the majority of possession. That was up until a double strike from James Tevendale, joining goals from Gavin Smith, a screamer from man-of-the-match Darren Holmes, and a penalty from Ryan O'Carroll. Phil Massingham pulled one back for Gedling just before the break, and following a pretty tame second half goal-wise, Duncan Bray made it six for the holders moments from the end.

Despite Gedling having most of the early play, the hosts were the first side to do anything remotely threatening, as a long accurate pass from defence by Jon Boulter picked out Duncan Bray in space and bearing down on goal - sadly Bray's effort was too delicate to cause Town keeper James Mason any serious worry. At the other end a shot from distance by Massingham made Lee Broster do a bit of work, the Sheffield keeper having to get down well to beat the ball away, whilst moments later Broster did well to turn a Mark Laws' effort wide. Midway through the half Sheffield started to exert some superiority exposing some weak defence down the flanks, and had a real shout for a penalty waved away after James Tevendale broke through the middle, only to be hauled down from behind by Tim Wilks with the striker shaping for the shot. On 24 minutes Sheffield got their just desserts as a free kick from Gavin Smith was met by the head of Craig Marsh at the back post, the header finally being bundled over the line from a yard out by TEVENDALE, getting there just before the defender. Club then went into overdrive adding another three goals in ten quick fire minutes; on 28 minutes Chris Hilton was put in space on the right by a neat Ryan O'Carroll touch, Hilton's cross found Gavin Smith unmarked on the penalty spot, and SMITH managed to loop his header over Mason into the net. Two minutes later came the pick of the crop, HOLMES curling the ball with the outside of his foot, past the diving keeper and just inside the post - superb! On 34 minutes TEVENDALE got his second and Club's fourth as he beat the offside trap, and remaining composed, lifted the ball over the keeper. Tev could have wrapped his hat-trick up just before the interval, an inch perfect ball from Holmes set the forward free once more, this time however the final shot went inches wide of the post. Seconds later Tevendale's non-stop running was rewarded even further after Dave Robinson hauled him down in the box, this time the referee awarded the penalty, and James Mason was the odd man out if thought he was going to stop the spot-kick by O'CARROLL. Surprisingly in stoppage time Town went down the other end and grabbed what even at that stage of the game looked to be a consolation goal, MASSINGHAM blasting the ball home, after being set free down the right.

Things calmed down somewhat after the restart, and you should expect it with the home side effectively having the game wrapped up, and with that the chances dried up a little also. Gedling had their best period of the game, going close a few times with the best efforts coming from Chris Thompson - who blasted over from ten yards out - and James Whitehead whose volley sailed narrowly wide of the mark. Gedling keeper James Mason, having had very little to do in the second period compared to the first, had a bit of a reckless moment as a harmless looking shot from BRAY a minute from time somehow failed to be caught and squirmed into the net. But even then Sheffield could (and should) have had a seventh - Bray broke down the wing after beating the ineffective offside trap, squared the ball to Peter Smith who somehow saw his shot cleared off the line by the never-say-die Tim Wilks. Seven would have been more than the Division One outfit deserved, but even so Sheffield's defence of the trophy continues in convincing enough fashion.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Darren Holmes

Sheffield FC: Broster, Hilton, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, O'Carroll, P.Smith, G.Smith, Bray, Tevendale (Kontou) (Roney), Holmes (Cressey).

Gedling Town: Mason, Whitehead, Robinson, Wilks, Hallcro, Laws, Richardson (Newton), Massingham (Clark), Thompson, Teed. Sub Not Used: Harrad.

Three goals in three and a half first half minutes stunned the Eagles of Eccleshill, swinging this game in the favour of Sheffield just moments after it looked like a shock could be on the cards. A goal on the half hour mark from Scott Broughton stung the home side into life, coupled with the introduction of Duncan Bray, and within moments the visitors found themselves on the receiving end of a triple salvo from Gavin Smith, Bray and captain Chris Hilton. Broughton pulled a second goal back for the Bradford outfit, and nearly pushed all the way for a surprise point, though Sheffield could have - and should have - had a hatful in the second period as they hit the post, bar and missed several good chances to make the game beyond doubt.

The game started to an expected pattern of Sheffield pushing forward, with James Tevendale going close early on, however at the other end Lee Broster was forced into action and had to do very well to deny a shock goal ten minutes in. Eccleshill's form of late may not have been the hottest, losing their last three games on the trot, but they belied this fact by pressing the hosts back for much of the half. Scott Price gave a warning of what was to come when his free-kick rebounded off the wall, with his second effort being turned away by Broster, after the big keeper saw the ball pretty late on. There was little the Sheffield stopper could do in the 33rd minute, as a half cleared cross fell kindly into the path of BROUGHTON, who with the sweetest of strikes let go from 25 yards giving Broster no chance. Duncan Bray replaced the injured Peter Davey seconds later and the prolific striker made his mark almost immediately causing disarray with some telling runs; following one of these runs a long Chris Hilton throw caused mass panic in the visiting ranks, with Jamie Buchan making his own keeper tip the ball over the bar with a misdirected header. From the resultant corner Jon Boulter placed the ball with precision, onto the head of GAVIN SMITH, who took advantage of some slack marking to nod powerfully beyond Paul Morris. Two minutes later and Sheffield had the lead; another run by Bray took the ball round Morris who clipped the ankles of the Sheffield man, leaving referee Wilson with very little doubt in awarding a penalty. BRAY converted comfortably (pictured above) and less than a minute later the turnaround was complete as another Boulter cross left everyone standing, HILTON rising above all to plant a sweet header into the back of the net (pictured below - but where's Chris ?).

All thoughts of this becoming a cake-walk were banished from the mind in the second half, although Sheffield could have stretched the lead in the early stages of the restart; however Darren Holmes' shot failed to hit the target. Eccleshill pulled one back ten minutes in to give the game a bit of an edge, BROUGHTON again the scorer, giving Broster no chance with a well struck shot from the edge of the area. Sheffield still managed to play some entertaining football, and had more than one opportunity to take the game beyond doubt; Jon Boulter's long ball was steered goalbound by Duncan Bray, giving Rob Ward a chance of a one-on-one with Paul Morris, the Eccleshill keeper though came off best with a solid stop at Ward's feet. That was to be Ward's last contribution as he left the field with a thigh injury to be replaced by Stavros Kontou, who in turn opened his participation with a cracking ball down the right wing to Bray, who squared the ball beyond the reach of Morris into the path of Tevendale steaming in at the back post - how the ball hit the bar is a mystery, lady luck it seemed had stopped shining on the hosts. That theory was given more credibility moments later as Tevendale turned provider with a lovely little chipped cross, Bray rose above all to flick the ball with his head beyond the keeper and his defenders, this time Eccleshill had the post to thank. Hilton and Tevendale combined with some neat football to send Kontou clear, again Morris proved to be the hero - yet the closest to adding to the scoreline amazingly came from the visitors with the substitute Andrew Howland beating Broster with a thunderous drive from twenty yards, only to see the ball hit the under-side of the bar and clear to safety.

So the hosts can be thankful for the three points, enhancing their position in third spot, with an entertaining display over a potential stumbling block. Eccleshill gave a good display giving Club a difficult game, though harder games are on the horizon for Sheffield - Liversedge away next Saturday and Buxton at home the weekend after - both potentially season deciders.

BTF Club Man Of The Math - Lee Broster

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Drennan, Marsh, Davey (Bray), P.Smith, Hilton, Ward (Kontou), Tevendale, Holmes. Sub Not Used: Tee.

Eccleshill United: Morris, Dolan, Watte, Price, Cornwall, Broughton, Fletcher, Hanson, Patterson (Howland), Buchan, Tinsley. Subs Not Used: Backhouse, Philip.

Hallam 1 Sheffield FC 4

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 4/02/06

Sheffield gained revenge for the surprise Boxing Day defeat they suffered at the hands of Hallam at The Coach & Horses in the most emphatic way today at Sandygate.

Kicking down the slope in the first half it was a cagey opening five minutes as both sides got to grips with the greasy surface. However it didn't take long for Hallam to get on the scoreboard. A break down the left by ex-Sheffield youngster Billy Rowley saw him whip in a cross to the near post and Scott BATES was on hand with a clinical header. Despite this setback, the visitors stuck to their game plan with Pete Smith and James Tevendale keeping the home defenders on their toes with their non stop running. Just before the quarter hour mark an O'Carroll free kick into the area was scrambled clear, with the Sheffield midfielder then receiving a booking for some over enthusiastic tackling. A minute later and once again there was controversy in the oldest derby in the world. A ball over the top of the home defence found Tevendale who after attempting to take the ball round the advancing home keeper Taylor saw the Hallam No 1 bringing the forward crashing down. Once again, Taylor could thank his lucky stars as the referee produced a yellow card, allowing the keeper to once again stay on the field in very similar circumstances to the earlier game at the Bright Finance Stadium. This fired the visitors and their excellent travelling supporter on and on 18 minutes they got their due reward. A break down the Hallam right saw the ball played into TEVENDALE and this time he slotted the ball past the stranded Taylor for a deserved equaliser. The visitors nearly paid dearly for some slack defending when a mix-up by Marsh and Jones saw the ball run free to Rowley, who somehow managed to miss the target from just eight yards out . On 41 minutes the visitors at last managed to get their noses in front. A well flighted free kick by Gavin Smith to the back post saw Tom Jones first to rise and his header was fumbled by the keeper and Pete SMITH was on hand to force the ball home and in so doing score against his previous club for whom he was leading marksman last season.

The second half again saw the visitors controlling the game as Pete Smith hooked the ball into the area for Holmes to head goalwards, this time Taylor was able to adjust and make the save. Knaggs then had a good long range effort well saved by Lee Broster, but it was Taylor at the other end who pulled off the save of the day from a point blank header by Smith after some good work by Boulter. Sheffield were tenacious in the tackle, the defence holding firm and the midfield were exploiting the space as Hallam pushed forward to try and get a foothold in the game. Tevendale was unlucky when put through as his chip over Taylor just went over the bar. A sweeping move from defence to attack was then thwarted as Hayden headed behind to concede a corner. Jones was then unlucky as he rose unchallenged to head just the wrong side of the post. Hallam almost grabbed a lifeline in the eightieth minute when a floated ball into the area saw the visitors defence hesitate and Franklin was allowed a free header, but his effort was off target. With five minutes to go Sheffield made the game safe when Tevendale became provider, threading the ball through to Pete DAVEY, the ever busy midfielder striding ino the area to blast the ball home with Taylor grasping thin air. To put the seal on a terrific performance Hallam's best player Wainwright then underhit a pass back to Taylor and James TEVENDALE was first to react, taking the ball around the keeper and quite literally walking the ball into the net. The goal making Tevendale joint leading scorer for the season so far alonside Duncan Bray. The last real action came just before the final whistle as Longstaff's long range shot was safely gathered by Broster.

This had been a fantastic team performance from front to back as once again Sheffield showed their prowess on the road with another league victory.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - James Tevendale

Hallam: Taylor, Reynolds, Hayden(Longstaff), Wainwright, Hazelden, Ball, Knaggs, Franklin, Hurrell(Wilson), Bates, Rowley. Unused Sub: Eaton.

Sheffield: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter (Drennan), Jones, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Hilton, P.Smith (Ward), Tevendale (Bray), Holmes.

Selby Town 1 Sheffield FC 0

Northern Counties East Presidents Cup Quarter Finals

Tuesday, 31/01/06

A 56th minute goal from Tom Reid was enough in a dour tie at Richard Street that never really looked like springing into life, to overcome a Club side who had won on the same ground just ten days prior, putting the Robins into a semi-final tie against Garforth Town. In a tight contest where much of the game was played in the middle third of the pitch, Sheffield never really looked like repeating the league performance of the previous week, making it honours even for the two teams in the three games played this season.

It has to be said on a difficult surface that Club made the better start; James Tevendale went close twice in the early stages after being put in by Gavin Smith, and nearly capitalising on some sloppy defensive play by the hosts. But by the end of the half the home side started to make some in-roads into the visitors' territory, with Ian Twitchen looking as dangerous as ever, and Andrew Hart going close with a free-kick. Darren Bonnington had to be at his best, making a return to the side after a seven game absence, being forced to make an excellent double save just before the interval.

Selby had the better of the early exchanges on the restart, with Twitchen ruing a golden opportunity missed, after blazing a great chance over the bar in the opening minutes. On 56 minutes the game was brought to life after Sheffield conceded a free-kick on the edge of their area, REID stepped up and curled the ball round the wall, beyond Bonnington to give the home side a lead they weren't to lose. Sheffield were nearly caught flat-footed to a classic "route one" moments after when keeper Adam Mitchell launched the ball upfield, over the defence and into the path of substitute Richard Whitfield, with better finishing could have weighted his lob over Bonnington a bit better. A triple substitution from Dave McCarthy sparked Sheffield into putting a bit more pressure on the Robins' goal, however Mitchell was never tested enough to cause the home side any problems, with Selby able to hold on for the win.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Darren Bonnington

Selby Town: Mitchell, Reid, Hart, Conner, Croad, Cox, Rollinson, Roughley, Twitchen (Whitfield), Wash (Tweedie), Matthews. Sub Not Used: Crowther.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Boulter (Roney), Drennan, G.Smith, Cressey, Davey (Holmes), Marsh, Ward, P.Smith, Tevendale (Bray).

Sheffield FC 0 Armthorpe Welfare 0

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 28/01/06

It was a frustrating afternoon at the Bright Finance Stadium this afternoon, as Armthorpe managed to deny an in-form Sheffield side the three points they deserved, clinging on to ensure the game ended goal-less. In a game that was played almost exclusively in the Armthorpe half, the Doncaster outfit were able to repel everything the hosts threw at them, with an outstanding performance from keeper Gary Strepham making sure the Club attack left the field empty handed.

The pattern for the game was set pretty early on, with Bray going close in the opening couple of minutes with a snap-shot, and Sheffield holding the majority of the territory. Holmes and O'Carroll combined midway through the half on a breakaway to set Bray free once again, this time the striker managed to get the ball round Strepham; however by the time he'd released the shot the angle was too tight and the effort was off target. Holmes nearly spectacularly converted an attempt just after this, his volley from a Gavin Smith cross was just over the bar. Armthorpe weren't offering much in the way of attack, despite having some illustrious names in their line-up, with their only chance of note being a scuffed free-kick by Giovanni Carchedi which was cleared comfortably by Tom Jones. At the other end the chances kept coming, but still no goal was forthcoming; Peter Davey went close with a header from a Duncan Bray cross - whilst Strepham produced the first of many good stops, getting down well to tip a Ryan O'Carroll free-kick wide. O'Carroll and Holmes were linking up well, and they combined to send the ball in to Gavin Smith, sadly his diving header went just wide as well. Fortune was definitely shining favourably on the visitors, a point made ever clearer when a Jon Boulter cross minutes before the interval was headed beyond Strepham by Armthorpe's own Ian Farmerly, only for the ball to spin wide of the goal.

Rob Ward continued Sheffield's poor run of luck after the restart, when his shot on the turn was deflected wide of Strepham, however the ball also went wide of the post. Strepham made the save of the day on the hour when Ward dug the ball out to cross into Davey, who was unmarked in the box, his powerful header seemed goalbound but somehow the keeper spectacularly tipped the ball over the bar. The attacking from Sheffield was almost constant, and in turn Armthorpe's defending was becoming more frantic, though everything the hosts threw at the visiting goal seemed to be scrambled away. Man-of-the-match Gavin Smith produced a moment of excitement midway through the half, his mazy run followed by a neat one-two with substitute James Tevendale deserved more than the actual result, which ended up with a scuffed shot. Holmes and Davey combined once again to set up Tevendale in space; again the end result saw Strepham able to deal with the shot, which on another day would probably have ended with the net bulging. In the end the visitors were able to hold out to the end, frustrating as it may have been for Sheffield, it is doubtful there have been many more one-sided goal-less draws. Had this been a boxing contest, the referee would have stopped the fight long before the end, as it wasn't I guess we'll have to be grateful with the fact there wasn't even more injustice in the result.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Gavin Smith

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones (Drennan), Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Hilton, Ward (P.Smith), Bray (Tevendale), Holmes.

Armthorpe Welfare: Strepham, Page, Farmerly, Preston (Pugh), Sharpe, Erskine (Bennett), Walker, Hilldred, Marcelle, Carchedi, Muirhead (Morley).

Sheffield FC 4 Brodsworth MW 0

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Tuesday, 24/01/06

Sheffield easily overcame bottom placed Brodsworth tonight in freezing conditions.In fact the only doubt in the supporters minds would be if the game would last the full 90 minutes due to the icy conditions as the pitch deteriorated as the game went on. The home side had O'Carroll back in the team after his one match suspension.

Sheffield showed their intentions as early as the second minute when some good work on the left wing saw the ball crossed to the back post and Gavin Smith was unlucky, just heading over from close range. Sheffield kept the pressure on but almost went a goal behind when Broster hesitated with the ball in his area and nearly paid the price, having to quickly clear the ball with Lovell about to challenge him. Tevendale went close when he ran on to a through ball and his first time effort was just wide of the post.However the breakthrough wasn't long in coming. On 24 minutes the striker was brought down just outside the area. The kick was quickly taken to Holmes whose low cross into the area found CHRIS HILTON running in and the skipper slammed the ball home for his first league goal of the season. Six minutes later and the game was over as a meaningful contest. A corner by Boulter was headed back out, and the defender had time to put in his cross to the back post where ROB WARD was on hand to head home. It was then a case of how many the team could score, as Brodsworth struggled against a well organised side, the midfield totally dominating and O'Carroll putting in a man of the match performance. Both Hilton and Ward went close with long range shots and then Davey somehow headed over the bar from close range. Radfford did give the visitors as glimmer of hope as he went the full length of the field but in the end, the attack petered out. A minute before half time Sheffield's pressure brought another goal. As the visitors hesitated with the ball after breaking down a Sheffield attack Holmes robbed the ball off Carmody and squares it across the area where WARD was on hand to coolly slot the ball beyond Whitehouse.

The second half was very much a mirror image of the first, although , the longer the game went on the more stretched it became as the players were finding it difficult to keep their footing. Just after the hour mark the home side wrapped up the scoring when a Gavin Smith cross was kept in play on the goal line by Davey, who knocked the ball back to where DARREN HOLMES was on hand to shoot past a despairing Whitehouse.

So, credit to both sets of players in trying to play the game in difficult conditions. The win keeps the pressure on at the top of the table , next up is another home game against Armthorpe Welfare.

BTF Club Man Of The Match Ryan O'Carroll

Sheffield : Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Hilton, Ward (P.Smith), Tevendale (Bray), Holmes(Drennan).

Brodsworth MW: T.Whitehouse, North, Roberts,R. Carmody, Morlin, M.Carmody (Pickering), Ager, Riley, Lovell, Radfford, Whithead.Unused Subs; Perkins, R.Whitehouse.

Selby Town 1 Sheffield FC 2

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 21/01/06

Sheffield kept up their good form this afternoon, to keep up their unbeaten run for the new year. It was the home side that started the better, but Sheffield took the lead after 8 minutes, somewhat against the run of play with their first meaningful attack. The ball was fed to Roney on the wing and his cross was met by Tevendale, who's scuffed shot was deflected into the net by PETE SMITH. Sheffield then started to gain the upper hand and Gavin Smith had a good chance to double the lead when he intercepted a pass and ran through the retreating defenders, only for Tevendale to take the ball from him and shoot wide of the mark. The front two were once again creating problems for the oppositions defence with their direct running. This was also helped by the state of the pitch which was very heavy and devoid of grass in most areas. Selby's first real chance came after half an hour when Twitchen was free on the edge of the box and his shot was just the wrong side of the post. On 38 minutes the home side equalised when a free kick on the Sheffield left found ROLLINSON in space at the back of the area and his shot found the back of the net.

The second half saw Selby coming more into the game, but a disciplined performance by the Sheffield defence, superbly marshalled by man of the match Tom Jones were dealing with everything that Selby had to offer. On 65 minutes the visitors made a double substitution, taking off Roney and Tevendale to be replaced by our other strikers Ward and Bray. That bit of managerial inspiration paid dividends on 71 minutes. From a Broster clearance, the ball found Ward who held the ball up long enough before releasing it to BRAY, who outpaced his marker to slam the ball into the net. It was Sheffield who were looking to kill the game then, Ward going close after a scramble in the area, but his shot was easily gathered by the home keeper. With ten minutes left to play, a free kick by Gavin Smith found Ward, who rose superbly to head the ball towards the corner, but somehow Mitchell was equal to it, pulling off the best save of the match to palm the ball to safety.It was Broster's turn then, as he had to make a save at the near post as Selby pressed forward for the equaliser. However, the visitors held on for yet another win on the road. It wasn't the prettiest of performances, but considering the playing conditions the team did what was necessary and kept up the pressure on Liversedge and Buxton.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Tom Jones

Selby Town: Mitchell, Reid, Hart, Connor, Dawson, Cox, Rollinson, Lee, Twitchen, Wash, Roughley. Subs: Whitfield, Matthews, Lyon.

Sheffield: Broster, G.Smith, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Davey, Drennan, Hilton, P.Smith, Tevendale (Ward), Roney (Bray). Unused Sub: Cressey

Sheffield FC 3 Worsborough Bridge 1

Northern Counties East League Cup Round Three

Tuesday, 10/01/06

Sheffield beat the weather to successfully stage the next leg in their defence of the League Cup, and then went on to overcome the stubborn resistance of Division One outfit Worsborough Bridge, to move into the quarter finals with a comfortable victory. Despite dominating the majority of the game, after going ahead twice in the first half through Duncan Bray and Ryan O'Carroll, it took a late penalty from in-form substitute James Tevendale to put the result beyond doubt. Sheffield always appeared to be in control in this tie, yet had a bit of a scare in the first half when the Barnsley side tagged level with a penalty from Shane Kelsey, although in fairness Club could have wrapped the game up earlier and could have added a couple more to the tally later on.

Despite Rob Ward and Duncan Bray starting up front, instead of Saturday's partnership of Peter Smith and James Tevendale, Club started in pretty much the same vein as the weekend's game at Mickleover. It took just six minutes for the hosts to get on the scoresheet, a corner from Jon Boulter found John Drennan lurking unmarked at the back post, his header hit the bar however it left the easiest of tap-ins for BRAY who made absolutely sure. Sheffield's crisp passing early on made the heavy surface look like a bowling green, and the lead could have been extended on more than one occasion as Peter Davey, Darren Holmes and Duncan Bray all had openings to increase the deficit. As it was Worsborough pulled level on 24 minutes after a mis-timed challenge on Shane Kelsey saw the visitors' front-man felled in the box, the referee had little doubt in awarding the spot-kick, and KELSEY picked himself up to send Lee Broster the wrong way. Moments after Sheffield had a great opportunity to regain the lead, with Duncan Bray breaking free to get the ball round the keeper Richard Stainthorpe, only to dwell too long on the finish and be tackled at the vital moment by Brig's Peter Hirst. Club did get the lead they weren't to lose seven minutes from the interval, following a foul on man-of-the-match Darren Holmes by Richard Elson on the edge of the area; up stepped O'CARROLL to curl the free-kick exquisitely round the wall - and Stainthorpe - into the corner of the net. It could have been more before the break, as Darren Holmes continued to torment the defence, and it took a great stop from Stainthorpe to deny Holmes a great solo effort from a difficult angle.

Any thoughts that Club would run away with it in the second period proved to be largely unfounded, as Worsborough more than held their own, and even started to take the game to Sheffield producing a couple of decent stops from Lee Broster. The surface gradually deteriorated, and with both sets of players starting to tire, it took the introduction of the Sheffield substitutes to inject new life into the game. The darting runs of James Tevendale gave a taste of what was to come, and seven minutes from the end his endeavour was rewarded, as the dogged Peter Hirst proved to be a little over zealous in bundling Tev over in the area. TEVENDALE stepped up to take the penalty himself, and dispatched it emphatically beyond the floundering Stainthorpe, to finally eradicate any concerns this tie could go to extra-time. Even so it could have been more before the end for Club as the woodwork denied Peter Smith, not once - but twice, as Sheffield pressed for a grandstand finish. Firstly a Peter Davey cross picked out the substitute forward with pinpoint precision, Smith directed the ball goalwards and out of the reach of Stainthorpe, unfortunately it somehow spun out and hit the post. Seconds later Chris Hilton sent in a cross into the middle, again Smith rose up above all the defence to head towards the goal, this time the bar denied him - fortunately it didn't affect the outcome of the game and the holders' name will go into the hat for the next round.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Darren Holmes

Sheffield FC: Broster, Drennan, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Hilton, Ward (P.Smith), Bray (Tevendale), Holmes (G.Smith).

Worsborough Bridge Athletic: Stainthorpe, Scully, Hilton, J.Jackson, Elson, Hirst, Garside, Allen (W.Jackson), Kelsey, Gillespie (Birkinshaw), Poskitt (S.Jackson).

Mickleover Sports 1 Sheffield FC 3

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 07/01/06

The Smiths brightened up the cold and gloom at Station Road this afternoon, with the duet of Gavin and Peter going "Hand in Glove" to cause "Panic" in the home ranks, ensuring all three points went back up the M1 with the visitors. In a game that had an identical scoreline as two seasons ago, Sheffield took a lead after just sixty seconds and never looked like relinquishing the lead, with the hosts never really getting into the contest until the second period by which time the game had gone.

Mickleover never looked confident at the back, conceding a corner inside the opening minute from some edgy defensive play, and going a goal behind from the resultant restart. The corner from Ben Cressey found GAVIN SMITH free in the middle, a flick header from the Sheffield right back left the defence floundering, with no-one able to get anywhere near it before the ball crossed the line. The hosts looked uncomfortable on the ball, and pressure from the front two of James Tevendale and man of the match Peter Smith had Sports looking to clear their lines by any means possible. Midway through the half Club doubled the lead, with Mickleover pinned in their own half of the pitch a Gavin Smith cross was only half cleared by the home defence, with the ball falling kindly at the feet of PETER SMITH who clinically lofted the ball over Wayne White. Sports had a couple of mentionable attempts on the visitors' goal, with good efforts by Ross Mays and Craig Hanson producing good stops from Lee Broster, but other than that Sheffield looked in complete control. Club could have had the game wrapped up completely before half time, with a good move involving Darren Holmes, James Tevendale and Peter Davey nearly producing the desired result; whilst Tevendale was put through one-on-one just before the break, only to be denied by a solid stop by White.

The second half started in an almost identical manner to the first, this time Mickleover conceded a needless free-kick on Tevendale near the corner flag three minutes in - the cross from Darren Holmes was missed by all the defence, with the unmarked GAVIN SMITH directing the ball into the net with a pinpoint header. That was it as far as the outcome was concerned; Sheffield had more or less sewn the points up, however Mickleover had other ideas as they managed to dominate play for the first time in the game. On 56 minutes the hosts got the consolation they deserved, after Sheffield failed to clear a corner effectively, MIDDLEDITCH was there to snap the bits up to steer the ball home. Despite being on the receiving end of the majority of the pressure, Sheffield looked at ease with the situation, with only an effort by substitute Channon North causing the slightest concern when it whistled narrowly over the bar. The win could have been more emphatic, if only a break by Davey and Tevendale had bore fruit, sadly though the shot at the end was deflected over the bar by the swarming Sports' defence. In the end another solid performance by Sheffield, however Mickleover looked far from a team in any kind of form, even so another three points helps close the gap on the top four - with Club now level on points with fourth place Harrogate Railway, and some interesting games to come that may help close the gap even further.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Peter Smith

Mickleover Sports: White, Wilson, Thornhill (North), Sheard, Strzyzewski, Braithwaite, Mays, Hanson (McCall), Cunningham, Middleditch (Kettle), Banks.

Sheffield FC: Broster, G.Smith, Cressey (Drennan), Jones, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Hilton, P.Smith (Ward), Tevendale (Boulter), Holmes.

Sheffield FC 0 Hallam FC 1

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Monday, 26/12/05

Hallam tore up the form book to win the latest chapter of "the World's Oldest Derby", making it a real Christmas spoiler for the hosts, by grabbing a surprise victory at the Bright Finance Stadium. A goal in the first half from Tom Franklin separated the two sides at the end, although the biggest talking point of the afternoon was the decision by the referee to allow the Countrymen's keeper Martin Taylor to stay on the field, after the Hallam stopper hauled Duncan Bray down on the edge of the area whilst being the last man.

As expected Sheffield had the majority of the play early on, a fact underpinned by forcing the first corner of the game in the opening seconds, but it was the visitors who managed to create the first chance of the game with big Lee Wainwright's free-kick skimming the post. Duncan Bray set the tone of the game by causing all manner of problems; with the Hallam defence having trouble containing the lively Sheffield striker, yet for all the attacking the hosts never really tested Taylor in the visiting goal. Hallam had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead midway through the half, with everyone on both teams standing expecting an offside call by the linesman, Paul Hurrell eventually realised play was being allowed to go on - although Darren Bonnington made the most of this hesitation to avert any alarm. In the 32nd minute though Hallam scored the decisive goal; after some sustained pressure at the other end by the home team, the visitors broke down the other end with the skipper FRANKLIN showing enough composure to lift the ball over the on-rushing Bonnington. The best chance of the half for the hosts came following some creative interplay between Darren Holmes and Duncan Bray, unfortunately for Club Nick Ball managed to get back just in time to hook the ball away from the line.

It seemed to be more of the same after the restart, with wave after wave of Sheffield attacks being scrambled away by some desperate - yet resolute - defending. Five minutes into the half Bray outpaced the defence once again, leaving a simple one-on-one situation with the keeper, cynically though the Sheffield man was hauled down by Taylor with the goal at his mercy - a red card for sure? Not a chance, as the referee deemed it worthy of only a yellow. From the resulting free-kick Ryan O'Carroll let rip a daisy cutter that would have normally left the stand-in keeper floundering; as it was with Taylor still on the pitch, the shot was spectacularly saved. Moments later that controversial decision was brought into question, as once again another Bray break left Matthew Plant rooted to the spot, only a fortunate grab of the ball by Taylor stopped the equaliser. All the football was being played in Hallam's half, and Bray was desperately unlucky not to get something after being favourite to score on three occasions, being just off target each time. The introduction of James Tevendale asked more questions of the Hallam defence, and nearly made an immediate impact after putting the ball just wide, after being put through by Peter Davey. Towards the end Hallam had several chances to put the result beyond doubt, with Paul Hurrell squandering four opportunities - hitting the bar, being denied by a spectacular save by Darren Bonnington, and missing two when it looked easier to score. Even so, the underdogs had done enough to take the spoils and grab all three points, with Guy Glover the man celebrating the city's bragging rights at the final whistle.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Duncan Bray

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, G.Smith (Tevendale), Cressey, Jones, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Roney (Hilton), Ward, Bray, Holmes. Sub Not Used: P.Smith.

Hallam FC: Taylor, Wainwright, Storey, Plant, Hazelden, Ball, Knaggs, Franklin (Gaton), Wilson, Hurrell, Rowley. Subs Not Used: Reynolds, Longstaff.

Sheffield FC 1 Pickering Town 0

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 17/12/05

A Rob Ward penalty midway through the second half was the difference in this extremely tight contest, on a freezing cold afternoon at the Coach and Horses, with Sheffield grabbing all three points to extend their unbeaten run to eleven games. On a difficult day for playing football both sides showed great energy and enterprise, however the difference in class between Club and the visitors was so small, much of the game saw the two teams cancel each other out. In the end Sheffield probably shaded it, and more than deserved all three points, putting a big spoke in the Pikes' championship charge.

The first half saw very few chances, in fact despite the balance of play primarily being held in the visitors' half, it was Pickering who had the majority of the opportunities. Pickering's Seb Towse went close with a free kick, which sailed just over Darren Bonnington's bar on fifteen minutes, whilst moments later Club's Darren Holmes went even closer with an effort of his own - hitting the bar and leaving keeper Carl Silburn rooted to the spot. Sheffield spent most of the remainder of the first period camped in the visitors' territory, though it was the home keeper that was the busier of the two, with Darren Bonnington having to be at his best to deny Mark Swales twice. The first time came after Swales beat the offside trap, after being set through by Georgie Rose, with Bonnington showing he was up to the task by blocking well - and moments before the interval the Sheffield keeper managed to get his body behind the ball, after Swales again found himself in space with the ball at his feet.

Sheffield came out for the restart in pretty much the same attacking vein, but this time they managed to test Silburn a few times as well. Matt Roney went close inside the opening couple of minutes, when his header sailed just over the bar, after an excellent cross by Duncan Bray. Man of the match Darren Holmes provided Sheffield next opening, splitting the defence to find Duncan Bray with an excellent pass, and Silburn had to produce a solid block from the powerful shot by the prolific striker. Bray turned provider again shortly after, squaring the ball unselfishly to Rob Ward, who in turn rifled a finger-stinger at the under siege Pikes' keeper. In the 65th minute though the pressure proved too much for the visitors' defence, as a Matt Roney through ball found Duncan Bray on the penalty spot, however the Sheffield striker couldn't get to the ball as he was crudely wrestled to the floor by Lee Pallender. Referee Crouch was in no doubt, awarding the spot kick without hesitation, and up stepped WARD to send Silburn the wrong way. With game slipping away from them Pickering valiantly started to exert some pressure of their own, putting Sheffield on the back-foot for once, however the hosts coped with everything thrown at them without much alarm to hold out for the deserved win.

Keeping a clean sheet at home to Pickering is a rare event for Sheffield, in fact the Pikes' have never lost - or failed to score - at the Coach and Horses, so today's victory is a very creditable result. The defeat puts more pressure on Pickering's attempt at winning the league, now falling five points behind leaders Buxton, with the Pikes having played one more game. This win means Sheffield have gained 19 points out of a possible 21 in the last seven games, a run which has seen the boys catapulted from the edge of the relegation zone in October to the edge of the promotion race some seven weeks later, a great run by any standards. It also puts Sheffield in a great position coming into the festive period, with the Boxing Day Derby against Hallam to look forward to, and a home game against Simon Clifford's Garforth following straight after.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, G.Smith, Cressey, Jones, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Roney (Hilton), Ward (P.Smith), Bray (Tevendale), Holmes.

Pickering Town: Silburn, Pallender, Brunton, Eeles, Morton, Drinkall, Baxter (Ramm), Rose, Greening (Rudd), Swales (Salt), Towse.

Sheffield 3 Liversedge 1

Presidents Cup First Round

Tuesday, 13/12/05

Sheffield eased into the second round of the Presidents Cup against a much changed Liversedge from the one that took all three points here at the Bright Finance Stadium earlier in the season. On a bitterly cold night kicking towards the Dronfield end it was Sheffield who were straight into action with Davey firing a shot just wide of the post in the opening minute.It was no surprise when, on 12 minutes the hosts took the lead.A ball from midfield was threaded through the static Liversedge defence for TEVENDALE to run onto and he calmly took the ball round the keeper to slot it home. That was how the game developed as Sheffield totally dominated proceedings. Indeed it was 25 minutes before Bonnington had anything worthwhile to do, beating away a close range shot from Mckeown.

Roney was able to get crosses in at leisure as time and again he left his marker flat footed, the defender eventually being replaced after suffering an ankle injury. On 41 minutes it was Davey who was then provider, putting Roney through, but his shot on the run was just too high. Two minutes later and the winger was once again on hand to cross the ball into the area for Pete Smith to volley goalwards, only to see his effort well saved as Williams tipped the ball round the post.On 45 minutes the hosts extended their lead. Good work by O'Carroll in midfield released Roney, who's cross was helped on by Smith to find TEVENDALE once again on hand to put the ball in the back of the net.

Liversedge had an early chance in the second half when Crossley's shot was gathered at the second attempt by Bonnington.Hilton replaced Roney early in this half, taking up a midfield position. Smith and Tevendale were still very lively up front, causing all kinds of problems for the Liversedge defence.Smith had a good chance to grab a goal when put through by Hilton, but he shot against the keepers legs.Then it was Tevendale's turn when, with the possibility of a hat trick on the cards he tried to beat the keeper when a simple pass to Smith would have resulted in a goal. Having run himself into the ground, he was eventually replaced by Jon Boulter.

Liversedge were trying to get something out of the game and did have a goal disallowed for offside. Immediately following this, Sheffield wrapped the game up with a third goal.With the visitors under pressure, Cressey harassed for the ball and it broke to Pete SMITH just inside the area who made no mistake with his turn and shot.The visitor's problems were further compounded when manager Eugene Lacy was sent from the dug out for foul and abusive language. With time running out, Sheffield used the last of their substitutes with Rob Ward taking over from Darren Holmes.With two minutes to go the visitors grabbed a consolation goal when WALTON had a speculative shot which somehow wormed it's way under Bonnington and into the net.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - James Tevendale

Sheffield: Bonnington, G.Smith, Cressey, Jones, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Roney (Hilton), P.Smith, Tevendale (Boulter), Holmes (Ward).

Liversedge: Williams, Hewitt, Lowe (Markham), Gott, Brown, Farrand, Walton, Haigh (Whitaker), McKeown, Crossley, Matthew (Walker)

Sutton Town 1 Sheffield FC 1

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 10/12/05

A typically lucky performance from Sutton keeper Mark Hales stopped Club heading back up the M1 with all three points, as Sheffield's first ever senior visit to the Fieldings ended with the honours shared, with the goals coming from the Snipes' Craig Mitchell in the first half and an equaliser from Rob Ward. In a game that was dominated for the main part by the visitors, only some "Jammy Bastard" stops from the ex-Shirebrook stopper denied Sheffield getting another hatful of goals, and in the end it took a trademark Ward header to give the result a semblance of fairness. Following on from the eight goal mauling of Long Eaton the previous week, this solid performance will have done little to dampen the confidence that is running through the side at the moment, and although a win was deserved the draw now sees Sheffield undefeated in nine games.

The pressure from Sheffield was relentless from the off, and the visitors had created a number of chances inside the opening five minutes, testing the hosts' keeper inside the opening ninety seconds. Some great build up play and a neat combination between Matt Roney and Duncan Bray set up Rob Ward with a slight opening, and one that the Club striker managed to exploit to release a fierce shot from a narrow angle, only a solid block from Hales stopped the visitors taking an early lead. Moments later Ryan O'Carroll was on hand to test the keeper, this time shooting from mid-distance, only to see his shot tipped over the bar by the increasingly annoying Hales. Despite playing up the Fieldings' ample slope in the first half, Sheffield had all the play and were asking all the questions, however it was Sutton who took a surprise lead in the 18th minute with a goal against the run of play. A rare lapse in the Sheffield defence saw the ball land at the feet of Ian Brown, and with Sheffield keeper Darren Bonnington and his defence somewhat caught flat-footed, Brown squared the ball across the goal to give MITCHELL the easiest of tap-ins. Sheffield's response was almost immediate, as Darren Holmes' corner fell in the path of Rob Ward, however the big striker was denied with a kind defensive deflection. Seconds later a pinpoint cross-field pass from Matt Roney was volleyed narrowly wide by Darren Holmes, and despite dominating for the rest of the half, Sheffield went into the break a goal behind and wondering why.

Sheffield came out for the restart playing down the slope this time, and yet again Sutton found themselves under the cosh and struggling to clear their lines, as the pressure from the visitors proved relentless. Another probing free-kick from Matt Roney once again found Rob Ward in the clear, and once again Hales used another rub of his lucky four-leaf clover to deny Sheffield, this time coming up with another full-bodied block. The Snipes still offered the threat of breaking up the hill and snatching a second goal, and they had their moments when they could have put the game well beyond the visitors, with a good stop from Bonnington denying Justin Burdett's shot - and the best chance to wrap it up falling to Craig Mitchell, who somehow spooned his effort out of the ground and into someone's back yard, when a goal looked most likely. At the other end though Hales was up to his old tricks and managed to re-write the book on luckiness, when Peter Davey set up Ward once again, only to see his effort saved with a great deal of fortune. In the 79th minute though that lucky streak was breached, as Sheffield got the equaliser they so obviously deserved - a great cross from Darren Holmes left the Snipes' defence stranded, leaving WARD the opportunity to drop off at the back post to head beyond the keeper giving him no chance. Still Sheffield poured forward, this time looking for a winner; however despite pounding the Sutton goal for the remainder they were unable to grab that vital decider.

Overall this was a sound performance from Sheffield, with the pace of Bray and Roney asking serious questions of a home defence that looked somewhat jaded, and another fine showing from Peter Davey controlled the middle of the park. Elsewhere man-of-the-match Rob Ward held the ball up at the front to great effect, with confident performances from just about everyone else giving a lot of hope for the rest of the season, starting with a chance for revenge against Liversedge at the Bright Finance Stadium on Tuesday night.

Sutton Town: Hales, R.Smith, Jepson, Burdett, Clarke, Roebuck, Cockerill, Naylor, Brown, Mitchell, Hurst (Fletcher). Subs Not Used: Stokes, Ashford.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, G.Smith, Drennan (Cressey), Jones, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Roney (Tevendale), Ward (P.Smith), Bray, Holmes.

Sheffield 8 Long Eaton United 0

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 03/12/05

When, along with my mates, I first set up the BTF site writes Deano our idea was that it would be more off the wall than your customary club website. However, for the sake of retaining a permanent record of match day happenings we've gone down the route of blow by blow accounts of events on the pitch for our match reports. Sadly, it would appear that gone are the days of 'The Encroachers' and 'The Pie Chart' and the more slightly zany approach is now left to Trev and his Travels, Stu with his Jaunts and Mr X with his.....well whatever it is Mr X actually writes about.

On Saturday my colleagues failed to inform me of their abscence from proceedings at our beloved Coach and accordingly yours truly was not only ill prepared to write a match report, without either pen or paper, I wasn't really concious that I was supposed to be perfoming this task until play had been going on for around fifteen minutes. By this time we were two up. Mmmm, I thought. My previous attempts at match day reporting have pretty much been reliant on memory, and if I could remember the basics of Pete Davey's and Rob Ward's opening strikes I'd be okay. Davey's opener being made to look oh so easy by the ex-Arnold man, unmarked in the middle of goal and six yards out. Rob Ward had to stretch to initially contol the ball for his goal on the quarter hour mark, but once he'd got the ball under control it was a simple task to slot the ball home from an angle on the six yard box. The United defence playing statues and awarding the big No 9 the freedom of the park. With a bit of luck that'd be the end of the scoring (from a merely selfish and personal point of view you'll understand). I could cope with that. The goal times were recorded on my mobile phones stop watch and all I would need to do was add a few extra lines about the fast and wet surface that Sheffield were taking full advantage of and Bob's your Uncle. Things were going nicely until Gav Smith popped up on the right hand side of the box to recieve a lovely ball and fire home number three. 'Any more and I could be struggling', thought I. Moments later and Duncan Bray rode a couple of tackles, went round the keeper and despite slipping and sliding all over the place our leading marksman this season finally forced the ball over the line. That's enough lads. Spare a thought. Darren Holmes then contrived to shimmy his way around and through the entire Long Eaton defence and the mesmorised visiting keeper could only stand and admire as the ball flew past him. Ah well, if you can't beat 'em. I love a good old fashioned flying winger. The ball found it's way to Matt Roney on the right hand side of the box. 'Hit it Matt' I shouted.....and hit it he most certainly did. A real pearler. 6-0. Still five minutes to play in the first half and four goals in four and a half minutes, including goal celebration time !!! Who cares about match reports anyway.

The second half saw the beleagred Long Eaton keeper seem to come to realise that he was actualy allowed to use his hands. Unfortunately he used them for grabbing hold of Duncan Bray's feet, the referee taking pity and merely showing the yellow card. The No 10 calmly despatching the penalty and we were thinking back to our 9-0 victory over Louth United three years ago. United were then down to ten men. About to be substituted the Long Eaton man said a word out of place and he was off. Man of the match Pete Davey popped up in the box again, a little shimmy and it was eight.

There's no doubt on the day United were poor opponents. A much different side in attitude to the one which gamefully fought back to claim a point a couple of month ago at Long Eaton. To the extent that their joint managers resigned immediately after the game. But Club are now starting to show the attacking flair that has been such a strong feature of their play over the last couple of seasons and was worryingly abscent for the opening weeks of the season. Up to seventh in the table, is it too late to mount a meaningful challenge to the league leaders? Only time will tell but either way it should be fun watching.

The match report ? Well the report had to wait a little longer than normal and the old memory was forced into overtime for a few extra hours. I was straight out after the game to see Rufus Wainwright at The City Hall. Of course, I turned my mobile off. It's the done thing isn't it? Trouble is, it wiped out the goal times faithfully recorded on my phones stopwatch !!! Ah well, who cares. It had been a great day. So don't worry lads. Feel free to score eight goals anytime you want. A little warning wouldn't go amiss though !

Glasshoughton Welfare 0 Sheffield FC 1

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 26/11/05

A moment of inspiration from Duncan Bray was the difference between the two mid-table sides this afternoon, as Leeds Road continued to be a happy hunting ground for Sheffield, with the visitors running out victors by a single goal. In a tight game and on a very difficult surface where chances were few and far between, Club managed to shade the game over a very useful Glasshoughton outfit, creating more openings up front and looking the livelier of the two sides. Welfare gave a good account of themselves with some good play and endeavour, however the day ended on a sour note with the home side ending the game with ten men, with Andy Seed getting his marching orders for a second yellow card in the dying moments.

Both teams took a bit of time to come to terms with the pitch, which was heavy and uneven to say the least, with the stand side touchline even more slippery due to a layer of fallen leaves. The home side managed to get the ball in the net early on through Danny King, however his effort was ruled out for an offside infringement in the build up, whilst at the other end Darren Holmes caught everyone by surprise when his corner hit the post. Duncan Bray went nearest to scoring after that, although his shot on the turn was comfortably saved by Tom Morgan in the Glasshoughton goal. Danny King managed to get the ball in the net for a second time, this time after some good quick interplay between Andy Seed and Alex Higgins, only to have the referee's assistant's flag deny him once again.

The second half saw Sheffield kicking down the slope, and starting with more energy than the hosts, and they could count themselves very unlucky not to have broken the deadlock in the first sixty seconds. A great break down the middle by Darren Holmes saw his shot blocked, the subsequent rebound fell to Duncan Bray which was also blocked, and in a pinball finale Rob Ward saw his shot somehow deflected over the bar by Paul Mattison. Welfare had their chances too, with an Andy Seed free kick seconds later causing worry in the Sheffield defence, the ball driving through the wall and hitting the foot of the post. In the 64th minute though came the moment that broke the deadlock, and in turn won the game for Sheffield, with Duncan Bray scoring the vital goal. BRAY collected the ball on the penalty spot under the attention of a couple of defenders, somehow though he eluded both players, turned on a sixpence and chipped the ball over Morgan into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

Sheffield almost extended the lead a minute after as Bray charged down a lacklustre clearance by Morgan, the ball fell to substitute Peter Smith who was bravely denied a certain goal by Julian Wilkes, the defender just getting his foot round the ball at the crucial moment. Some solid performances at the back and in midfield from the Sheffield players stifled any chance of Glasshoughton getting near goal; however in the last couple of minutes a foul on the edge of the area gave the visitors a scary moment, with the home players screaming for a penalty. Andy Seed opened his mouth once too often and received his second yellow, whilst from the resulting free kick substitute Paul Arkle curled a great shot around the wall, only to be denied by a great save by Darren Bonnington. So the result takes Sheffield up another three places into tenth place, making it a good week all in all, after getting a maximum nine points from the three games on the road in the space of seven days.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Duncan Bray

Glasshoughton Welfare: Morgan, Liversedge, Wilkes (Chapman), Mattison, Sadler, Hatfield (Arkle), Seed, Leech, Higgins (Parker), King, Fox.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, G.Smith (Cressey), Drennan, Jones, Marsh, O'Carroll, Davey, Roney (P.Smith), Ward, Bray (Kontou), Holmes.

Armthorpe Welfare 1 Sheffield FC 2

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Tuesday, 22/11/05

Sheffield returned to the Doncaster area for the second time in four days and were again able to claim maximum points and maintain their recent impressive run.

On a bitterly cold evening Club were forced into two defensive changes due to injury. Lee Broster replacing Darren Bonnington, and Stavros Kontou moving across to right back for the abscent skipper Chris Hilton. Craig Marsh also returned after suspension, with new boy John Drennan moving back into defence to accomodate the ever lively midfielder.

The first half was an even contest with both sides struggling to get to grips with the tricky surface. The home sides main area of concern arriving in the 20th minute - the goalkeeper needing to be replaced after suffering a leg injury as he made a clearance outside his area. Fortunately for Armthorpe a replacement keeper had been selected on the bench. As the half drew to a close, with few goalmouth opportunities having presented themselves, Welfare found themselves a goal to the good, scored in time added on for the injury to the goalkeeper. A short spell of pressure ended with the ball finding itself at the feet of Garry Jones, and the Armthorpe striker made no mistake to beat the unprotected Broster. A minute later and it could so easily have been two as the home side missed a glorious chance to increase their lead with the Sheffield defence still not having reorganised itself since conceding the goal. The half time whistle arrived giving Dave McCarthy the opportunity of reorganising things in an attempt at giving the side more firepower.

Matt Roney was introduced in place of Ben Cressey at the half time break and the flying winger immediately brought the expected and much needed added threat in attack as Sheffield attempted to claw back the deficit. It was pretty much one way traffic in this half with the visitors cut and thrust style carving the home defence apart at will. Roney easily having the beating of the unfortunate full back, and Ward and Bray clearly benefiting from the added width given to the side. The equaliser was almost inevitable and it arrived in the 59th minute. Duncan Bray was fouled and the resultant free kick from Gav Smith was flighted beautifully onto the head of Rob Ward whose header looped over the Armthorpe keeper and into the net. An enforced change saw Ryan O'Carroll enter the fray, replacng the unfortunate Kontou. However, his timing couldn't have been better. With 72 minutes played the midfielder got a block on an attempted clearance in the home penalty area. Although the ball ran kindly for the Sheffield man he calmly shot home past the hapless Welfare keeper for his first goal for the club since the beginning of February.

Club could have, and possibly should have, increased their lead further for all their second half dominance. Nevertheless, in difficult conditions and coming from a goal behind this was yet further confirmation that the sides revival was truly back on course. On Saturday the side travel to Glasshoughton who will no doubt be aiming to avoid a similar comprehensive defeat to the one inflicted upon them last season.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Tom Jones

Sheffield:- Broster, Kontou (O'Carroll), Cressey (Roney), Jones, Drennan, G.Smith, Davey, Marsh, Ward, Bray (P.Smith), Holmes.

Brodsworth Welfare 0 Sheffield FC 4

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 19/11/05

Sheffield made it look all too easy at the Welfare Ground this afternoon, as they cruised past basement outfit Brodsworth with a comfortable four goal victory, scoring two goals in each half - with Rob Ward grabbing two, and Duncan Bray and Darren Holmes getting one each. Playing their first home game after ten on the road, Broddy were no match for a confident Sheffield side, and could consider themselves lucky not to have lost by a heavier scoreline. Making his debut for the visitors this afternoon was John Drennan, signed earlier in the week from Maltby Main, and made a telling contribution towards his new club earning the expected three points.

Club were always on top in this contest, and the difference in class was easy to tell early on, as Peter Davey saw his fifth minute header blocked by Tim Whitehouse before shooting his rebound across the face of the goal. Whitehouse was a busy man in the first period as he had to contend with a constant barrage from the Sheffield forwards, with man-of-the-match Duncan Bray making his presence felt by muscling his way through the defence five minutes later, before having the resulting shot saved. In the 21st minute Sheffield took the inevitable lead, Stavros Kontou put a telling ball in from the left, and once again the Broddy defence had no answer to BRAY who battled his way through to strike the ball home from ten yards out. The lead could have been doubled shortly after, and the hosts had to be thankful that Whitehouse was on top his game to pull of a great save from Darren Holmes' shot from the edge of the area, after the midfielder was set up by an incisive Chris Hilton pass. With Sheffield dominating so much there was always a danger that they would relax enough to let the home side in with a chance, and Brodsworth almost took advantage with the poor surface allowing Ryan Carmody to thread the ball through to Neil Towler, fortunately for Sheffield the ever reliable Darren Bonnington was there to mop up any trouble with a solid block. Nine minutes before the break the visitors were well and truly in the driving seat with a second goal; a break down the left wing by Duncan Bray left the Welfare defence floundering, his cross across the face of goal left WARD with the easiest of tap-ins to make it two-nil.

Sheffield went into the second half with the same frame of mind, and nearly made it three in the opening seconds with Ben Cressey heading narrowly over the bar, following a corner from Gavin Smith. Peter Davey also had a chance to add to the scoreline, and must be rueing his fortune and wondering how he missed, after some great build up play set him up with an ideal opportunity - only to see the ball bobble in front of him just before pulling the trigger, with the ball skewing wide of the goal. It seemed that it wasn't a case of if Sheffield would get a third - rather one of when - as it seemed chance after chance went begging. Duncan Bray went close midway through the half, after a crazy mix-up between Dean Morling and the keeper Whitehouse gave the Sheffield striker an opportunity to lob the ball into the empty net from 30 yards - the ball just scraping the post - whilst seconds later Whitehouse had to produce a full-length fingertip save to deny Bray once again, after he'd ripped the defence to shreds once again. Shortly after a solo run from Bray ended with a near miss, again following a mazy run that had the Broddy defence chasing shadows, but in the 75th minute the third goal came. A great ball from defence put Peter Davey through, and it was his inch-perfect ball across the goal that found WARD lurking in the middle again for him to slam the ball home, and effectively made sure of the points. Five minutes from time Brodsworth's day was made even worse following the dismissal of defender Gareth North for a second bookable offence, and two minutes later Darren Holmes wrapped things up following another keeper-defender mix-up, leaving HOLMES all the time in the world to shoot into the empty net from twenty yards out.

All in all an easy day out for Sheffield, and another result that adds to the recent improvements over the last few weeks, taking Club further away from the bottom of the table. Despite the weaker opposition there were some great performances from the Sheffield boys, with man-of-the-match Duncan Bray taking the supporters' plaudits and notable mentions for Peter Davey and Darren Holmes, who both put in splendid efforts. Next up for Club is another trip to Doncaster, this time to the other side of town, a trip to sixth placed Armthorpe Welfare on Tuesday who will obviously be buoyed by a clinical 4-1 victory at Hallam - and should provide stiffer opposition.

BTF Club Man Of The Match Duncan Bray

Brodsworth Welfare: Whitehouse, North, Lackie, R.Carmody, Morling, Slatter, Riley, Ball, Erskine, Towler, Cooke. Subs Not Used: Fretwell, M.Carmody, Perkins.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Kontou (O'Carroll), Jones, Cressey, G.Smith, Davey, Drennan, Ward (P.Smith), Bray (Roney), Holmes.

Att: 44.

Club marched one step closer to a defence of the County's premier knock-out competition, tonight at the Bright Finance Stadium, as they overcame stiff resistance from a determined Dinnington Town side to win with two goals in extra time. After a tense and edgy ninety minutes on a bitterly cold night, goals from Peter Smith and a penalty from Duncan Bray were enough to take the holders through to the next round, and to eliminate the brave Central Midlands outfit.

Opportunities were sparse in normal time; the opening period saw big John Saville head a corner over in the first half for Dinnington, whilst Rob Ward shot over the bar after being set through shortly after. The clearest opening in the first period came from a Duncan Bray cross that beat all the defence, and unfortunately for the hosts, was deflected just behind Darren Holmes who was steaming in at the back post. Sheffield dominated most of the second half, with the hosts creating the clearest chances; the best of which came from good build up play from Peter Davey who combined with Duncan Bray to set up Darren Holmes at the back post - again luck was not on the Sheffield midfielder's side as his effort from two yards out was fortuitously deflected wide by Ben Dearns. The tight Dinnington defence was preventing the Sheffield attack many chances on goal, although the visitors were counting their blessings late on in the second half as Duncan Bray managed to steer the ball past Phil Rhodes, unfortunately for the home team's striker the pace of the ball was too fast for him to direct it into the net. Dinno didn't offer many threats of their own up front, but Sheffield had to be thankful that Darren Bonnington was on hand to snuff out a late chance from the visitors' own dangerman - ex-Clubbie Liam Cartledge - who was surprisingly quiet during the ninety minutes.

Extra time seemed inevitable, especially with the temperature dropping rapidly, yet the first period saw the visitors look the most likely to break the deadlock. Kieran Gallagher was allowed too much time and space on the right hand side, enough to provide Liam Cartledge with a clear shot on goal, a shot that was powerful - yet a matter of centimetres wide of the post. Late on in the opening period the prolific Dinnington striker was through one-on-one on goal, and once more it was Bonnington who was to deny him, getting down bravely blocking Cartledge's effort from point blank range. The extra time interval saw Lee Walshaw make a decision that was to swing the game Sheffield's way, replacing Rob Ward who had worked tirelessly against the stubborn defence with Peter Smith, and it took three minutes of the second period for the decision to bear fruit. The fresh legs of Matt Roney (a second half substitute for Ryan O'Carroll) took advantage of the tiring visiting defence, breaking down the left wing to deliver an inch perfect cross into the box, where SMITH was waiting to meet the ball with a perfectly timed header that gave Rhodes no chance. The goal inspired Club to push Dinnington further back, and a swift break into the box five minutes later by Darren Homes saw a clumsy challenge from substitute Michael Williams upend the Sheffield player, and give the referee little option but to award the penalty. Up stepped BRAY to send the keeper Rhodes the wrong way, and give Sheffield the comfort zone the needed to ease into the next round. There was still time from Phil Rhodes to pull off an excellent save, one that prevented giving the result a bit of an unwarranted one-sided look, following a good move from Stavros Kontou that set up Duncan Bray with a shot on goal.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Pete Davey

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton (Kontou), Boulter, Jones, Cressey, G.Smith, Davey, O'Carroll (Roney), Ward (P.Smith), Bray, Holmes.

Dinnington Town: Rhodes, Ntiedu, Sykes (Clark), Dearns, Saville, Rosser, Gallagher, Toulson, Mirfin, Cartledge, Atkinson (Williams). Sub Not Used: Brookes.

Sheffield started their defence of the League Cup with a meeting against last week's opponents Eccleshill United. Buoyed by their 3-2 victory at Plumpton Park the hosts were hoping to make it a 'double', although the visitors were equally as eager to end a run of five games without a win. With manager Dave McCarthy away on official Club business, it was his assistant Lee Walshaw who was once again looking after the side and aiming to maintain his own 100% winning record when left at the helm.

Sheffield kicked off towards the Dronfield end in bright sunlight and Bray was unlucky after just two minutes when a cross from Marsh was just too high for the striker to connect. However, it didn't take long for the home side to get on the scoresheet. With just six minutes played, a loose ball on the edge of the Eccleshill area was pounced upon by HOLMES, whose rocket shot left Bates rooted to the spot.

It was all one way traffic as Sheffield kept up the pressure and it was no surprise when the lead was doubled on fifteen minutes. Davey had a shot well blocked at point blank range, the ball was played to the back post where Bray was unmarked and although his first time effort was again well saved by Bates BRAY was quick enough to bundle the ball over the line before the keeper could recover. It took the visitors over twenty minutes before they had an effort on goal, as Philip fired over the bar.

Back came Sheffield, and the overworked Bates in the Eccleshill goal was once again left grasping thin air when in the 33rd minute, man of the match HOLMES got possession 25 yards out, dribbled through three defenders and unleashed another scorcher into the corner of the net.

Eccleshill came out in a more determined mood for the second half but were easily brushed aside by a confident home side, who took off Holmes and replaced him with O'Carroll. Sheffield got their fourth in the 73rd minutes when Bray was put through on the right hand side, with only the keeper to beat he unselfishly squared the ball across to MARSH who smashed it into the unguarded net. Three minutes later and the rout was complete. A ball into the crowded area ended with ROB WARD getting the final touch with a cheeky backheel, sending defender and goalkeeper the wrong way. With ten minutes remaining Ward and Bray were replaced by Pete Smith and Matt Roney, giving the overworked Eccleshill defence yet more problems to think about. Roney immediately started getting the crosses in and Smith was closing down the defenders at every opportunity.

Eccleshill did manage to get a consolation goal late on when substitute HANSON found a bit of space just inside the box and shot just beyond Bonnington's reach. Smith almost got another one for the hosts near the end, but his header was just the wrong side of the post.

An excellent display all round and a positive message that we can score goals. We were not only dominant up front but the midfield battled well and won the majority of the loose balls and the defence looked commanding, borne out by the fact that Bonnington only had one decent save to make all match. Next up is the rearranged Senior Cup match against Dinnington Town, who I'm sure will present stiffer opposition.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Darren Holmes

Sheffield: Bonnington, Hilton, Boulter, Jones, Cressey, G.Smith, Davey, Marsh, Ward (P.Smith), Bray (Roney), Holmes (O'Carroll).

Eccleshill United: Bates, Morgan, Waite, Philip, Murray, Tyson, Fletcher(Hanson), Wood, Patterson, Buchan, Hardy. Other Subs: Dolan, Howard

Despite the team arriving late due to a burst tyre, Sheffield got off to a dream start at Plumpton Park by taking the lead after only two minutes. A clearance from Gavin Smith in defence was dummied by Rob Ward which wrong footed the home defenders and allowed DUNCAN BRAY to run on to it and slot home. Patterson then had a chance at the other end but put his shot wide of the mark. However, with just 11 minutes on the board the home side were level. A poor goalkick was intercepted by WOOD, who dribbled around the keeper to put the ball into the empty net. Play then became scrappy, with Sheffield losing their early impetus as Eccleshill started to take more control and they went ahead on 29 minutes. A defensive mistake by the normally reliable Jones was punished as Patterson who dispossessed him and lobbed the ball over the head of Bonnington to put the home side in front. Sheffield were having very little luck with the run of the ball, illustrated by Bray who, when through on goal, pushed the ball too far and his scoring chance disappeared although contact was made by the keeper as Bray fell to the ground and it was the Sheffield striker who was then booked for diving. Gavin Smith then went close as his cross cum shot was gathered by Bates on his goal line. With the half almost over the visitors went close again as first Jones tried to make amends from a free kick into the area but his shot hit the outside of the post, and then in the dying seconds a Sheffield corner was almost headed into the goal by an Eccleshill defender, luckily Waite was on hand to clear it off the line.

Manager McCarthy must have given the team a rocket at half time as they came out for the second half to put on a sparkling performance. The half was only two minutes old when a Sheffield corner was headed into his own net by a United defender as Cressey put him under pressure. Then a good break down the left by Bray saw him put the ball into Holmes's path, but his scuffed shot was wide of the mark. The visitors were certainly on top now and deservedly took the lead on 57 minutes. As the ball was played towards the Eccleshill penalty area, Holmes got there first as the home defence hesitated, and despite the efforts of Bates in the home goal he was able to wriggle free and fire the ball home from a difficult angle. Ward then became provider, his cross landing at the feet of the onrushing Davey, but his shot rocketed over the bar. Despite all the pressure Eccleshill were still not out of it, and another Jones slip saw Bonnington make up for his earlier mistake when he saved point blank from Patterson. With five minutes of normal time left Bray put Holmes through on goal but he was unlucky , the ball again just the wrong side of the post. Sheffield then had to defend stoutly as Eccleshill pressed for the equaliser. With only a couple of minutes left Bonnington was again on hand to make a fingertip save and deny the home side a share of the points as the visitors hung on to record their first away victory in the league this season. A game of two contrasting halves, but the side showed that they can hang onto a lead and the victory will ease the pressure at the bottom of the table and give the team more confidence. Next up is the defence of the Sheffield Senior Cup as we tackle last season's Semi-Final opponents Dinnington Town.

BTF Club Man of the Match: Duncan Bray

Eccleshill United: Bates, Morgan, Waite, Philip (Hanson), Murray, Broughton (Fletcher), Hardy, Wood (Wilson), Patterson, Buchan, Tinsley.

Sheffield: Bonnington, Hilton, Boulter, Jones, Cressey, G.Smith, Davey, Marsh, Ward, Bray (Tevendale), Holmes. Unused Subs: P.Smith, Roney.

Sheffield FC 1 Maltby Main 1

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 29/10/05

It was a early return meeting between the two sides at the Bright Finance Stadium this afternoon, after last Saturday's draw over at Muglet Lane. Sheffield were looking for their first league win in ten games and aiming to bounce back following the disappointing midweek defeat at Garforth. Rob Ward was out of action today after picking up a shoulder injury on Tuesday evening and there was a change in defence with Ben Cressey returning to replace Jon Boulter.

Sheffield almost took the lead when Davey's shot was deflected and Scaife in the Maltby goal reacted quickly to divert the ball over the bar for a corner. With only four minutes on the clock, the resulting corner kick saw the home side take the lead as CRAIG MARSH was the first to rise above the defence and head into the far corner, despite Drennan's attempt to clear it from under the bar. However, it was almost deja-vu from the game at Muglet Lane as the lead only lasted seven minutes. A break down the Sheffield left saw the ball crossed into the area to an unmarked SOMERVILLE who fired home from close range, despite Bonnington stopping his first effort. Bonnington was again alert as he raced out to save at the feet Dring with the defence wide open and looking unsteady. The game was fast and furious with both sides creating chances, Maltby looking especially dangerous on the break down the Sheffield left. On 18 minutes it was Holmes who almost broke the deadlock for the home side as he made space for himself on the edge of the area, only to see his curling shot tipped onto the post as Scaife just got his fingertips to the ball. Back at the other end and once again Bonnington had to be at his best to tip a free kick over the bar from Glarvey. Play was then held up as Bonnington was fouled by a hefty challenge from Dring and required treatment, the referee doing no more than talk to the offending striker. Sheffield's next attack saw Bray put free on the edge of the area, his run and shot being beaten away by Scaife to safety. Just before the break, Holmes almost put Sheffield in front when his cross cum shot caught Scaife off his line, but the keeper was just able to gather the ball before it crossed the line.

The second half saw Gavin Smith and Jon Boulter on from the restart, replacing Cressey and Roney. There were early chances for both Bray and Tevendale as they looked to try and break down the Maltby defence. Twice Tevendale went close with shots going just the wrong side of the post, whilst Bray created a chance with a deft turn in the box, only to see his shot well saved by Scaife in the visitors goal. At the other end a breakaway by Dring was well saved by Bonnington. Both keepers were in superb form, keeping their teams in with a chance of winning the game by denying the opposing forwards.

With just over 10 minutes of the game left Maltby had the chance to take the lead when Jones was adjudged to have brought down a Maltby forward in the area, but penalty king Bonnington guessed the right way to save Winters spot kick. He topped off his man of the match performance with a brilliant point blank reflex save from Dring's effort in front of goal. Sheffield finished the game strongly with O'Carroll's free kick from the edge of the area going just wide and then Holmes having a fierce goalbound shot unfortunately blocked by Pete Smith. So once again it was yet another draw for the home side after dominating most of the game.

BTF Club Man Of The Match:- Darren Bonnington

Sheffield:- Bonnington, Hilton, Cressey (Boulter), T.Jones, Marsh, Davey, Roney (G.Smith), O'Carroll, Bray, Tevendale (P.Smith), Holmes.

Maltby Main:- Scaife, Wesley (Sykes), Dickman, Drennan, Clayton, Winters, Glarvey (A.Jones), Wood, Dring, Somerville, Kay. Unused Sub: Adnitt.

Garforth Town 2 Sheffield FC 0

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Tuesday, 25/10/05

It turned out to be a miserable night for Sheffield FC at the Marstons Stadium, in more ways than one, as two second half goals sank the visitors on a treacherous evening weatherwise. Goals from Greg Kelly and Charlie Bradshaw gave Garforth the victory, both coming with the home side playing into the gale-force winds and driving rain, with Sheffield unable to get round the defence to really test the Miners' keeper Andrew Brooke despite having the majority of the play in the second period.

The weather advantage was arguably with Garforth in the first half, with Sheffield having to contend with playing into the teeth of the gale, and suffering torrential downpours into their faces as well. The first minutes had both teams testing the opposition defences; first to strike was Garforth with Jay Sobers' little through ball splitting the Sheffield defence and setting up Greg Kelly with the chance, only to see Darren Bonnington block the shot strongly. Almost immediately Sheffield went up the other end, with Gavin Smith outpacing the Town defence, although his shot never really troubled Andrew Brooke in the home goal, the shot hitting the side netting. The difficult circumstances in which the game was played didn't seem to hamper either side, although as time went on you got the impression if the visitors could hold Garforth at bay till the break, Sheffield would be favourites with the elements in their favour. Darren Bonnington did his best to do just that midway through the half, as he produced a good one-handed stop from Charlie Bradshaw; this after the big forward had been put through with a neat flick from Greg Kelly. Sheffield's cause wasn't helped by losing Rob Ward early on, after taking a knock in an aerial challenge, although his replacement Peter Smith started well by dispossessing Nick Jagger on the edge of the Garforth area and forcing Brooke to make a good stop.

The conditions worsened in the second half, with the rain coming down heavier and starting to cut the pitch up in places, making it very hard for both teams to settle. On 57 minutes Garforth snatched the lead, an attack down the right found KELLY, who cut into the box before lifting the ball over Bonnington and into the net. The goal stung Sheffield into life, but for all the attacking pressure they seemed unable to get a decent shot on goal to test the Miners' keeper; the best effort coming from a Matt Roney cross, which was sidefooted just wide by Darren Holmes. Shortly after another Roney cross was deflected, beating the defence and landing in the path of Chris Hilton, a good shot by the Sheffield skipper produced an equally good save from Brooke. On 69 minutes the scoring was complete, and the points were effectively sewn up, as Garforth hit Sheffield with a sucker punch goal - a cross-field ball found BRADSHAW able to out-muscle the visitors' defenders, take the ball under control and hit a shot from twenty five yards that curled beyond Bonnington. Sheffield continued to plug away, but to no avail and in the end were unable to breach the home defence.

Garforth Town: Brooke, Roberts, Addison, Renishaw, Jagger, Sobers, Longfellow, Williams (Blair), Bradshaw (McCargo), Manousios (Parkinson), Kelly.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Boulter, Jones, Marsh, Holmes, Davey, O'Carroll (Tevendale), Ward (P.Smith), G.Smith, Roney (Bray).

With two draws in their last couple of matches, Sheffield were looking to pick up only their second league win of the season and in so doing climb out of the relegation zone this afternoon at Muglet Lane. How they failed to achieve this is a mystery.

From the start and kicking up the slope it was Sheffield who were first to show and with virtually their first attack took the lead. There were just three minutes on the clock when Roney burst down the Maltby left and sent a cross into the area straight to the unmarked PETE DAVEY at the far post who clinically dispatched it into the net. On 10 minutes the home side levelled the score when JONES managed to squeeze a shot home at the near post when there seemed little danger. This setback didn't deter the visitors who took the game to Maltby and produced the best out of home keeper Scaife who kept the visitors at bay, saving well from Ward, Smith and Hilton in a short space of time. Sheffield were certainly having the majority of the play, restricting Maltby to the odd breakaway. Ward then created a chance out of nothing as he turned in the area, but once again Scaife was on hand to clear. Sheffield regained the lead in the 31st minute when a good move from midfield released Davey, who returned the earlier favour by setting up RONEY to smash the ball home. However, once more the lead was short lived, lasteing only two minutes, before DRING was allowed to move through on goal unchallenged as the Sheffield midfiel and defence stood off him, allowing him a free shot beyond the reach of Bonnington. Club almost took the lead on half time when Smith's looping header just went over the bar and with the keeper at full stretch.

After an early scare when Dring sent a free header just wide of the post, the second half saw a continous bombardment of the Maltby goal as Sheffield took advantage of the slope. The rain was also making it difficult for defenders to turn, allowing Roney and Man of the Match Davey to exploit the wings and pu in the crosses which Scaife was usually having to punch away to safety. Sheffield then had a fifteen minute spell where they netted three times, but each time the effort was disallowed, two for offside and one for a foul, although at least two of the decisions appeared extremely dubious at the time. This wasn't helped by the the referee making some strange decisions against both sides. Some late pressure by Maltby saw them gain three free kicks in quick succession, but Bonnington didn't have to make a worthwhile save of note at all in the second half, such was the visitors domination. Unfortunately, they couldn't turn it into goals either and so it was certainly a case of two points dropped today, although you couldn't fault the lack of effort or determination displayed by the team.

BTF Club Man Of The Match: Pete Davey

Maltby Main: Scaife, Wesley (Sunderland), Sykes, Clayton, Wood, Kay (Greaves), Somerville, Green(Glarvey), A.Jones, Dring, Dickman.

Sheffield: Bonnington, Hilton, Boulter, T.Jones, Marsh, Holmes, Davey, O'Carroll, Ward (P.Smith), G.Smith (Bray), Roney Unused Sub: Tevendale.

Sheffield FC 1 Selby Town 1

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 15/10/05

An entertaining afternoon's football ended with the spoils shared this afternoon, with visitors Selby Town managing to hold on for the draw with hosts Sheffield bombarding their defensive lines, and ending the recent hoodoo the Robins have suffered over the last few years at the Coach and Horses. After a fairly even first half, Selby grabbed an early lead after the restart through substitute Jason Harris; however after laying siege to the visitors' goal, last season's leading scorer Rob Ward came up trumps to equalise.

The Robins started this one off with a shoot on sight policy, with some early - if a little wayward - attempts from all parts of the park. The best effort came from Dominic Graham in the fifth minute, showing some nimble footwork to beat Chris Hilton, before his shot was blasted over. Andrew Dawson had a speculative shot curl wide, whilst Darren Bonnington stopped the one that hit the target, tipping over an effort from Steven Lyon. Midway through the half - with Sheffield starting to get on top of the game - the hosts had their best attempt of the half, with Peter Smith's shot squirming under Adam Mitchell, only to see the ball deflected painfully just outside the post. The resultant corner from Matt Roney was met by Rob Ward, whose header was just off target, frustrating but getting closer. In the last minute of the half Peter Smith out-jumped Andrew Dawson to flick the ball into the path of Rob Ward, who in turn beat off two defenders, only to see his shot slip just off target and wide.

With Club seemingly in the ascendancy, it came as a great surprise to all and sundry that the visitors went in front, catching the home team cold with just 45 seconds on the clock. The ball was whipped down the right, finding half-time substitute HARRIS in space, and with his first touch of the game lifted the ball over the on-rushing Bonnington. That stung Sheffield into action and some good work from Matt Roney and Peter Davey set up Darren Holmes at the edge of the box, Holmes' shot cleared the crowd of players, however Adam Mitchell was able to get down to produce a good save. Moments after Club had a goal disallowed, Peter Davey crossed from the right wing, Peter Smith managed to get in front of Adam Mitchell to head home, however the referee judged it to be an unfair challenge as opposed to poor handling and positioning by the keeper. With Sheffield back on top of the game, Roney was becoming more and more influential on the game, and it was his cross to the equally impressive Peter Davey that ended with the latter volleying just over. In the 74th minute the inevitable goal came to the home side, and well worked it was too; James Tevendale broke down the right wing, crossed the ball in towards Davey who showed great class in dummying the ball and throwing the whole defence, the ball fell at the feet of WARD who made it look all too easy by slamming into the net. Even though the goal inflated Sheffield's confidence Selby still looked dangerous, and the home side had to be thankful to Ben Cressey who hooked the ball from the line, after Dominic Graham had beat Darren Bonnington to the ball and aimed towards an empty net. Club could feel a little unlucky not to snatch all three points in the dying moments as the increasingly suspect looking Mitchell flapped at the ball under pressure from Ward, the ball fell to Davey whose shot on the turn hit the bar, with any chance of capitalising on the rebound being ruled out due to offside.

So another promising performance from Club, and yet another supporters' man of the match performance from Matt Roney, which should give heart that the long awaited win will come pretty soon. Next up for Sheffield is a trip to Muglet Lane to face Maltby Main, who could only draw at home to bottom of the table Brodsworth, hopefully this will be a fixture that will bear fruit with three points.

BTF Club Man Of The Match _ Matt Roney (4th consecutive award !)

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton (G.Smith), Boulter, Jones, Cressey, Marsh (Holmes), Davey, O'Carroll, Ward, P.Smith (Tevendale), Roney.

Selby Town: Mitchell, Reid, Hart, Mackenzie (Littler), Dawson, Cox, Lyon, Kamara, Graham (Barley), Wash (Harris), Matthews.

Att: 130.

Long Eaton United 2 Sheffield FC 2
Northern Counties East Premier Division
Tuesday, 11/10/05

The teams shared the points in tonight's encounter, with both managers probably wondering why neither had claimed all three points. The visitors were looking for a boost in confidence after recent results, which finds them placed second bottom in the league table. Returning to the starting line up was last season's top scorer Rob Ward whilst this seasons top scorer Duncan Bray was omitted from the squad. Also missing was new signing Dave Watts after just one game with the club.

On a balmy evening resembling summer it was Long Eaton who got the game in motion kicking up the slope and against a stiff breeze.

There were early chances for both sides, although Sheffield were playing the better football. Using both the wings, Sheffield through Pete Davey and Matt Roney were getting round the back four and putting some decent crosses over, with Roney also having a shot well saved by Whalin. In the 13th minute Club deservedly took the lead when an inswinging corner by RONEY deceived everyone and went straight into the net at the near post. However, the lead only lasted two minutes with United equalising with virtually their next attack. A break down the right saw the ball squared across goal and HOGAN was on hand to tap home.

Sheffield began to get on top as they took advantage of the breeze to launch the ball forward at the earliest opportunity. In the 39th minute Sheffield's lead was restored, with one of the best moves of the season so far. The Sheffield defence broke down a Long Eaton attack on the edge of their own area and the ball was fed wide on the left to the unmarked Roney. He raced down the wing and put in a pin point cross which found DAVEY ghosting into the six yard box to head home. The home side then escaped further punishment five minutes from the interval when O'Carroll hit his free kick against the post with Whalin rooted to the spot.

Sheffield kicked off the second half, now having to defend against the strong breeze and also driving rain. Craig Marsh was unlucky with a header that just went the wrong side of the post whilst at the other end the home side hit the bar with a deflected shot. The game was now opening up as Long Eaton pressed for an equaliser, Brady having a shot narrowly wide. Marsh was finding more space in his midfield role and was again unfortunate when his chipped shot went the wrong side of the post with the keeper stranded. Sheffield were looking very comfortable at this stage, but despite creating numerous chances were unable to get that vital third to give them a two goal cushion. As if to emphasise the point, in the 87th minute yet another Sheffield attack was broken down and Long Eaton went down the other end and the ball was scrambled home by BUICK. Both sides then had chances to snatch the victory as first, Man of the Match Roney cut inside his man to hit a shot against the inside of the post and at the other end Long Eaton had a shot cleared, and then went close with a header.

Overall, a far better and more spirited performance from Sheffield who will feel disappointed with just the one point from a game they dominated. The one concern for the manager surely being the lack of goals from our abundance of strikers.

BTF Club Man Of The Match - Matt Roney (third consecutive award for Matt)

Long Eaton United:- Whalin, Hollis, McGinty (Buick), Carden, Breech (Hawley), Tansley, Brady, Weston, Hogan, Hawkins, Heath (Beldham).

Sheffield:- Bonnington, Hilton, Boulter, Jones, Cressey, Marsh, Davey, O'Carroll, Ward (Tevendale), P.Smith, Roney. Unused Subs:- G.Smith, Holmes.

Shirebrook Town 0 Sheffield FC 0
Northern Counties East Premier Division
Wednesday, 28/09/05

It was honours even at Langwith Road tonight, as Sheffield and Shirebrook scrapped out a goal-less contest, although both teams could have (and probably should have) at least one on the board if not for some vital keeping. Star of the show was without doubt the Sheffield stopper Darren Bonnington, fresh from his one match rest at Arnold, who not only saved a first half penalty, but capped the performance with some outstanding saves in the second half. At the other end the Club front boys did their best to break the goal drought, however it took some desperate defending to keep the Sheffield forwards at bay, with Mark Hales saving the home side's bacon by deflecting the ball just out of the reach of Duncan Bray - not once, but twice.

The first half was spoiled by the somewhat "difficult" conditions, the swirling wind and driving rain not exactly what you'd call conducive to a good game of football; however Sheffield made the home keeper Hales do a bit of work when he managed to hold an early header at the second attempt. Chances were at a premium early on, with both sides playing a tight game of football in the awkward conditions, although midway through the half Ryan O'Carroll managed to get a shot on target only to see it deflected off the back of Matt Roper. Shirebrook's best chance came when Craig Wilson's cross was met by the head of Rob Orton, as would set the trend of the night though the effort was blocked well by Darren Bonnington. The turning point of the game undoubtedly came in the 39th minute when Matt Fletcher was brought down in the area, the referee Mr Brittain immediately awarded the penalty, up stepped Justin Burdett only to see his shot blocked superbly by Bonnington.

With the rain stopped, and the wind dropped, it was a surprise to see the second half take so long to really get going. The game came to life midway through the half, with Bonnington doing well to get down to make a good save from close range, once again denying Town a sniff at goal. At the other end a good run by the lively Anton Foster set substitute James Tevendale free on the right, Tevendale did well to drive the ball to the line for the cross, however Mark Hales managed to get the crucial touch on the ball to redirect it away from Duncan Bray who was steaming in at the back post. Shirebrook counter-attacked once again, and were left cursing some sub-standard finishing by Rob Orton, with the forward blasting woefully wide having found himself with the goal at his mercy. Anton Foster showed some good speed to outpace the defence; sadly the end product was a bit unfortunate, as his shot skewed across the face of the goal. Moments after and there was a case of déjà vu around the Shirebrook goal - this time on the left - as once again Tevendale supplied the cross, Hales got a vital touch, and Bray just missed out at the back post. Whilst there was no luck up front, one man earning his corn at the other side was good old Bonno, who was recreating the form we've come to know and love by pulling off two top drawer saves top close the game. The first saw him deny Orton with a spectacular finger-tip save, whilst moments after stopping any hopes of Shirebrook snatching all three points by making a great save from Nathan Hollingworth's free-kick, earning Sheffield a deserved point and himself a deserved man-of-the-match.

Shirebrook Town: Hales, Rowbottom, Hollingworth, Charlesworth, Roper, Parker, Wilson, Fletcher, S.Johnson (Hall), Burdett (J.Johnson), Orton. Sub Not Used: Burrows.
Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Elam, Marsh, Boulter, Davey, Holmes, Foster (Cressey), Smith (Cheetham), Bray (Tevendale), O'Carroll.

Sheffield can count themselves unlucky to come away from Arnold with nothing, this afternoon at the King George V Ground, after losing to a single hit and run goal in the last ten minutes by Kevin Mabon. After dominating the majority of the game, the visitors succumbed to a sucker punch and in the meantime proving that the difference between a win and a defeat can be a fraction of an inch, with the Eagles scoring seconds after the visitors had hit the bar at the other end.

Club started the game well, with some early pressure gaining Sheffield a succession of corners, although only one truly found veteran keeper Steve Cherry wanting. The first clear cut chance of the game however came against the run of play, with Kevin Mabon heading against the foot of the post, following a corner from ex-Clubbie James Parkinson. Sheffield first real opportunity came midway through the half when Duncan Bray flicked the ball to Anton Foster, his mis-guided header found it's way to Darren Holmes, unfortunately his volley was deflected wide by Chris Shaw's backside. It was obvious Sheffield were dominating the game, and were dictating the play with some good football, the vital opening just wouldn't come though. Minutes before the interval Peter Smith - who had given the Arnold central defence all manner of issues in the air - found himself with a great opportunity to grab the lead, sadly he just couldn't get enough of the ball to really test Cherry.

The second half saw Arnold come out a different team, and with this Sheffield didn't have as much of the game as they had in the first half, though they did go close with a Ryan O'Carroll free-kick early on. The Eagles started to come to life and started to test Liam Richardson a little with a few efforts; Wilkins shot a 25 yard pile-driver just over the top, and nearly converted a corner minutes later, with skipper Chris White heading narrowly over. Arnold screamed claims for a goal on 73 minutes, Parkinson and Starbuck combined to set Mabon up with a header which Richardson seemed to hold on the line, the referee and his assistant had no doubts and waved the claims away. Darren Holmes had a couple of opportunities to snatch a goal at the other end, one saw his effort blocked by a defender, whilst seconds later Cherry denied the visiting midfielder with a good save. On 82 minutes came the swinging point of the game; Sheffield on the attack and pounding the home goalmouth saw Anton Foster hold the ball up before turning the ball inside to James Tevendale, the substitute hit the ball as sweet as you'd like leaving Cherry no chance, however the ball smashed against the bar. Cherry collected the ball, and catching Sheffield cold launched the ball up field, where MABON hit the ball with a left-foot shot that gave Richardson no chance.

Luck was not on Club's side today, however Arnold defended manfully to ensure they were still in with a shout at the death, and when their chance came they took it. Overall a much improved performance from Sheffield, with every player giving a sterling performance throughout much of the game, the only thing missing was that vital goal that would have surely have secured all three points. Next up is Shirebrook away on Wednesday; never an easy fixture at any time of the year, hopefully this could be the game to get back on track.

Arnold Town: Cherry, Sherlock, Thornhill (Fletcher), Starbuck, Parkinson, Screaton, White (Huckerby), Shaw, Mabon, Wilkins (Freestone), Davies.

Sheffield FC: Richardson, Hilton, Elam, Marsh, Boulter, Davey, Holmes, Foster, Smith (Cheetham), O'Carroll, Bray (Tevendale). Sub Not Used: Cressey.

Sheffield FC 0 Liversedge 4

Northern Counties East Premier Division

Saturday, 17/09/05

Liversedge continued their impressive start to the season with a four goal victory over Sheffield this afternoon at the Bright Finance Stadium, hitting the home side with two goals in each half, with Matthew Hoyle leading the way with two goals - the others coming from Paul Walker and Gareth Hamlet.

The scoring was kick-started in the eighth minute when HOYLE found himself clear on goal with only Bonnington to beat; the forward kept his cool, and calmly lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper into the net. On the half hour mark the lead was extended after 'Sedge absorbed a period of Sheffield pressure, hitting the home side on the break with WALKER taking on the defence, before walking the ball round Bonnington into the goal. Club's best chance of the half came shortly before the interval, when Rob Ward saw his header cleared off the line by Danny Lowe, the rebound fell to James Tevendale whose header then managed to hit the post.

Sheffield started the second half the stronger and were unlucky not to get something early on, with Pete Davey latching onto a quick free-kick by Tevendale, unfortunately the midfielder's shot was tipped over the bar by Kyle Sutcliffe. Ten minutes into the half Liversedge put the game beyond Sheffield; a shot from distance by HOYLE looked harmless enough, but the ball somehow squirmed under Bonnington's body into the net. Ten minutes later Bonnington failed to hold a cross, the ball fell kindly at the feet of HAMLET, who had the easiest of tasks tapping the ball into the empty net. Paul Walker almost made it five near the end when he managed to beat Bonnington to the ball, fortunately for Club Walker's lob over the Sheffield keeper hit the post, and the ball was scrambled away to safety. Sheffield almost grabbed a consolation in the dying moments when Lowe and Sutcliffe had a communication breakdown, allowing substitute Caine Cheetham to nip in between the two, however a great close range block by the Liversedge keeper kept his clean sheet.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Cressey (Smith), Marsh, Boulter, Davey, Foster, O'Carroll, Ward (Bray), Tevendale (Cheetham), Holmes.

Liversedge: Sutcliffe, Wood, Lowe, Hussain (Milnes), Brown, Farrand, Borland, Markham, Hoyle (Broughton), Hamlet (Marshall), Walker.

Att: 158.

Sheffield managed to scrape a draw against a very difficult Mickleover Sports outfit, tonight at the Bright Finance Stadium, and could count themselves unlucky not to finish with all three points after a storming finish had the visitors rocking on their heels and praying for the final whistle. After conceding early on in the game it took a penalty fifteen minutes from time by Duncan Bray to get Sheffield back in to the game, following a very dour contest in between goals, however the luck deserted the home side in injury time as they chased the unlikely winner - hitting the post twice in the dying moments.

Club had the worst possible start to the game conceding an early goal after only five minutes; a misunderstanding in defence saw the ball squared across goal to NORTH, who had the easiest of tasks of tapping the ball into the empty net. Mickleover set their stall out from an early stage to maintain the lead, and in doing so a scrappy game of football ensued, with the hosts not creating a meaningful chance until the half hour mark when a Ben Cressey corner was flicked on by Rob Ward and Jon Boulter steaming in at the back post only inches wide. Craig Marsh went close just before half time for Sheffield, but overall there was little to offer in the way of goalmouth chances. That continued into the second half, with the best opportunity coming with good interplay between Duncan Bray and James Tevendale; Bray dribbling the ball a good fifty yards before Tevendale's effort was blocked by a defender. As time looked to be running out for Sheffield, Duncan Bray found himself pulled in the area by Ross Mays, the referee in no doubt awarding the penalty. BRAY converted the spot kick, the ball just beating keeper Mark Wilson, and with just under fifteen minutes the hunt was on for an unlikely win. In stoppage time the hosts could have snatched, as a cross-cum-shot from Craig Marsh had the defence and Wilson floundering, with the ball agonisingly hitting the post. Seconds later and with Club piling on the pressure, Darren Holmes struck the upright, this time the rebound fell to Chris Hilton whose volley was beaten away spectacularly by Wilson.

Overall this was a point that looked highly unlikely at half time, but at the end it could easily have been an outright victory for Sheffield - either way the undefeated league record continues. Club have to wait ten days for the next fixture, a difficult home game against Liversedge - a team who have caused their fair share of problems at the Coach and Horses in the past.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Cressey (Rowley), Marsh, Boulter, Davey, Anson, Smith, Ward (Tevendale), Bray, Cheetham (Holmes).

Mickleover Sports: M.Wilson, Mays, Holness, G.Wilson, Reynolds, Wood, Morgan, North, Cunningham, Leighton, Bettridge. Subs: Salloway, Roffey, Gulliford.

Att: 137

BTF Man Of The Match - Pete Davey

After the disappointment of losing in the F.A. Cup replay at Mossley it was time to get back down to the bread and butter business as Sheffield started this season's league campaign with a match against current table toppers Thackley.

On a bright, sunny evening, it was the home side who made the early running although Bonnington was the first keeper to see real action when he had to tip a shot over the bar from Oliver. Ten minutes later and this time Bray who skimmed the top of the visitors bar after a good through ball from Ward. It was a lively start, but the home side were having the better of the early exchanges, with Thackley looking particularly vulnerable down the flanks. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Marsh headed goalwards from a corner. Shah cleared the ball off the line but only as far as Bray, who put the ball back into the area and SMITH was on hand to slot

the ball in the corner of the net. It was no more than the home side deserved and they should have capitalised further just before half time when Bray went through on his own. However, Scargill in the visitors goal thwarted his effort to chip the ball over him. However, the rebound fell back at Bray's feet and despite the striker dribbling around the stranded keeper and avoiding an oncoming defender, his shot hit the post and went to safety.

The second half saw Sheffield well in control, Ward and Bray causing the central defenders all sorts of trouble whilst the defence stifled any attack Thackley could muster. Scargill had to be at his best to dive full length and palm away a Ward shot which took a goalbound deflection. On the hour markSheffield looked to have doubled the lead when some good work on the left saw Ward tee up Bray, but his volley was saved at point blank range by the overworked Scargill, while his defenders could only stand and watch.

Thackley were trying to get back into the game, and with just the slender one goal lead for the home side one error of judgement could have proved costly, but, despite a couple of scares, the home defence never looked like conceding.Tevendale was brought on to replace Ward, to give the visiting defence yet more pace to deal with. Cressey tried to recreate his Sheffield Senior Cup winning goal of last season with a fierce shot, but Scargill was the saviour for Thackley again as the deflected shot was well saved. The ex-Hallam keeper then tried his best to score by going upfield to make an extra attacker at a corner. Unfortunately when the ball broke loose the home side were unable to capitalise on the situation, and normal order was restored between the visitors posts, as Scargill regained his position.

Having used all their substitutes, Thackley then had to play out the last five minutes a man short as one of their players was unable to continue after a heavy challenge by O'Carroll. The Sheffield midfielder limping off himself minutes later. With time running out Sheffield were content to keep the ball and run the clock down, which they did successfully to get their league campaign off to a fine winning start. Next up Mickleover Sports on Tuesday at The Coach & Horses.

Sheffield: Bonnington, Hilton, Cressey, Marsh, Boulter, Davey, Anson, Smith, Ward (Tevendale), Bray (Cheetham), O'Carroll (Rowley).

Thackley: Scargill, Walters, Shah (King), Riley, Sugden (Kilner), Williams, Nelson, Oliver (Clifford), Reilly, Johnson, Etienne.

Sheffield's F.A. Cup dream is over for another year as they were narrowly defeated by Mossley in this Preliminary Round Replay. The visitors cause was not helped by their late arrival due to a traffic accident, causing the team bus to take an extra half hour detour. With this in mind, the referee put back kick-off to 8 o'clock. On a mild and sunny evening it was Sheffield who kicked off down the slope, on a well prepared pitch. Club captain Hilton was the first with a shot after ten minutes, and this was followed by the home side squandering a chance as the ball was headed over the bar. The home side were much quicker into their early stride in these opening stages, but both teams seemed content to shoot on sight with Downey and Anson both putting efforts over the bar for each side. Mossley then had a sustained spell of pressure without really troubling Bonnington in the visitors goal. whilst at the other end Tevendale did well to beat his man but his shot was just wide of Bracey's far post. Smith then had a good chance to break the deadlock when he got behind the defence, but the No 9 couldn't get over the ball to direct it goalwards as his effort sailed high over the bar. The teams went into the break on level terms.

Sheffield started the second half much better and were threatening with each attack, only the final ball denying them a real chance of testing home keeper Lee Bracey. Ward was then brought into the action, replacing Smith up front, which was soon followed by O'Carroll joining the action, this replacing Holmes. With the advantage of the slope the home side were making quick breaks down the flanks, but their crosses were comfortably dealt with by man of the match Jon Boulter, who was marshalling the Sheffield rearguard with great effect.

The game looked to have a draw written all over it, but that was soon to change. In the 71st minute, Mossley were awarded a corner, and from the resulting kick GIGGS was first to the ball to head into the far corner in a carbon copy of the goal he scored in the original tie. This only fired the visitors up even more, and they looked like it wouldn't be long until the travelling fans would be celebrating an equaliser. Despite the introduction of Bray for Cheetham, Sheffield just couldn't get the vital breakthrough. The game threatened to boil over towards the end as Davey and Mossley substitute Knight got involved in some silliness. A situation not helped by some very strange decisions throughout the match for both sides from referee Mr. Knee. With Sheffield pushing forward in an attempt to level the score, the home side found themselves with several good chances to wrap the game up, but either poor finishing or the safe hands of Bonnington kept the tie very much alive until the final whistle. A brave performance by Sheffield against their Unibond opponents, and despite the disappointment of going out of the competition, all concerned should be happy at the overall level play at this early stage of the season.

Mossley: Bracey, Thackeray, Shiel, Vernon, Meadowcroft, Thompson (Knight), Giggs, Goodeve, Denney (Shaw), Downey, Morning. Unused Subs: Cooke, Challinor, Melville.

Sheffield: Bonnington, Hilton, Cressey, Cheetham (Bray), Boulter, Davey, Anson, Marsh, Smith (Ward), Tevendale, Holmes (O'Carroll). Unused Subs: Rowley, Richardson.

A cracking end-to-end cup tie saw the spoils shared at the Bright Finance Stadium this afternoon, as Sheffield showed great determination and spirit to come from behind against UniBond outfit Mossley, not once but twice. A healthy sized crowd turned out to see the first competitive home match of the season, boosted by a good following of Lilywhite fans, and they weren't to be disappointed in the entertainment stakes either as both teams gave a good account of themselves. Sheffield made several changes to the team that had comfortably taken Jarrow Roofing apart the previous week, notably missing the big presences of Tom Jones at the back and Rob Ward up front, both through suspensions. Goals from Rhodri Giggs and Adam Morning put the visitors in front in the first half, with an equaliser from Pete Smith sandwiched between, but it was a cracker from Captain Chris Hilton that sent the game to a replay next Tuesday.

Mossley started the game the brightest putting Sheffield under a great deal of pressure, and it looked as if the BBC feature on the home side had put the quiche of death on them, as the visitors went in front after just seven minutes. After conceding a couple of early corners Sheffield failed to deal with a deep cross from Chris Downey, with GIGGS steaming in unmarked to head home at the back-post. Any thoughts that Club would lay down and die were proved to be misconceived as the home side quickly applied the pressure on their higher league opponents, going close on more than one occasion, before the managed to draw level on the twenty minute mark. It was a clinical goal straight out of the route-one book; a long straight clearance from Darren Bonnington was flicked on by James Tevendale, and SMITH was able to slot the ball under Lee Bracey with the coolest of finishes. The stalemate was to remain for just nine minutes, as the visitors came back with a vengeance, although it could be argued it was a sloppy goal to concede; Brad Elam spent a little too long on the ball, was dispossessed by MORNING, and the winger seeing Bonnington well off his line lobbed the ball with precision into the top left hand corner to regain the lead. Still Sheffield didn't give up, and could count themselves unlucky not to go into the break on level terms, as Tevendale saw a sweetly curled shot beaten away with one hand by the diving Bracey.

It was more of the same in the second half, as neither team let the other settle on the ball in a breathless start, with the ball whipping from end to end. Bracey showed that he had an uncertain edge to his game as he failed to hold a Chris Hilton cross, dropping the ball at the feet of Darren Holmes; unfortunately for the hosts the left-winger lashed his shot over the bar. At the other end the visitors' big defender Karl Vernon went close; his header from a Downey corner just skimmed the post, giving the home side a brief scare. In the 64th minute Sheffield got a deserved equaliser, and a smasher it was too, as the non-stop running of Darren Holmes produced a cross that beat the Sheffield front men and the visitors' defence, steaming in at the back-post was the skipper HILTON who unleashed a blistering volley that had the back of the net bulging before the keeper could blink. With the game level and the best part of thirty minutes to play, the result could have swung either way, with both sides producing chances that could have capped the match for them. Chris Downey managed to take the ball round Darren Bonnington, but he hadn't bargained for Pete Davey making a last gasp block to deny a certain goal; whilst seconds later Phil Denney saw his on target volley beaten away to safety by a strong Bonnington save. Sheffield managed to absorbed all the pressure with ease and looked equally likely to win the game with some dangerous looking breaks, the best of which saw James Tevendale run half the length of the field before setting up Duncan Bray with an opportunity on goal, the substitute putting the ball only just wide of the mark to leave the game tied.

This was a good entertaining performance by both teams, with the highlight from the home boys being sterling efforts from Darren Holmes and Pete Smith, with man-of-the-match James Tevendale running his legs off. In the end there was nothing between the two teams, and a replay on Tuesday night over at Market Street next Tuesday is probably the fairest outcome, although both sides could argue they should have finished it today. Mossley will no doubt be pre-match favourites for this game, however given the determination and grit showed today Sheffield proved that a shock might not be so unlikely, and the Lilywhites will take them lightly at their own peril.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Elam, Cheetham, Boulter, Davey, Anson (Rowley), Marsh, Smith (Bray), Tevendale, Holmes. Subs Not Used: Roney, Kontou, Richardson.

Mossley: Bracey, Thackeray, Cooke (Shaw), Vernon, Meadowcroft, Thompson (Knight), Giggs, Goodeve, Denney, Downey, Morning. Subs Not Used: Sheil, Challinor, Melville.

Sheffield kicked off their season with a convincing win in the North East this afternoon, when they coasted through this potentially difficult tie with amazing ease, beating the hosts by a comfortable four goals without reply. On a bright and breezy day on Wearside, Club had this game wrapped up by half time with a three goal salvo, and they could have had even more in this one-sided contest. Goals from Rob Ward, Jon Boulter and James Tevendale put Club in the driving seat at the break, with Duncan Bray adding the icing on the cake with a fourth near the end. Only some excellent saves from home goalkeeper Stephen Kennedy stopped Sheffield hitting a scoreline to match that of the teams playing cricket next door, as Club really ripped the Roofers defence to shreds, whilst denying the Northern League outfit a single chance throughout the whole ninety minutes.

Club's superiority in this game was never in doubt, and they showed the hosts just what their intentions were from the off with an early move involving Tevendale and Ward feeding Darren Holmes on the left, who was desperately unlucky to see his shot tipped over the bar by Kennedy. The Sheffield midfield partnership of Anton Foster and Pete Davey were making light work of the Roofers' counterparts, with some slick passing moves and darting runs leaving the midfield and defence literally chasing shadows, and creating some serious space for the front two. It seemed that the goals were bound to come, and on thirteen minutes Sheffield grabbed the deserved lead, albeit in dubious circumstances; a flick into the area saw Tevendale chasing the ball down with Rattle and Davies in pursuit, as the three converged the Sheffield striker went down with little contact having been made, with the referee in his mind certain a foul had been committed. Davies protested his innocence vehemently, earning a booking for his pains, up stepped WARD to give Kennedy little chance. Sensing this was to be their day Club started to turn the screw and could have had a second minutes later with Ward setting Tevendale through on goal, who had beaten the offside trap with a well-timed run, only to see his excellent shot beaten away one-handed by Kennedy. Sheffield remained in control of both territory and possession, and on 28 minutes they doubled their lead from a classic set-piece play; a corner from the left by Foster, flicked on by Ward and steaming in at the back stick to ram the ball home from close range was BOULTER. On 36 minutes the game was beyond doubt with a third; Ward and Tevendale combining once again, with TEVENDALE showing great tenacity in the area dragging the ball through the defence to poke the ball wide of the keeper - it truly was game over! Yet in the last minute of the half the scoreline could have had a more emphatic feel to it as Tevendale blocked a clearance by the keeper, diverting as far as Holmes twenty yards from goal on the left, Holmes strolled in on goal and looked certain to score the goal he had promised, however unselfishly and inexplicably he squared the ball across the face of the goal just beyond the reach of Ward and Tevendale, Jarrow to their relief clearing the ball to safety.

If Jarrow thought Sheffield were about to ease off with such a comfortable lead, it took just ninety seconds for them figure out they were mistaken, when Man-of-the-match Tevendale's shot was parried by Kennedy just beyond the reach of Darren Holmes. Moments later Tevendale teed up Ward whose shot was narrowly over, with the defence nowhere to be seen and the visitors still rampant. The Club defence was repelling everything and anything the hosts had to throw at them, with Jones, Hilton and Cressey making certain Bonnington was having little or nothing to deal with on the rare attacks they had to deal with. Midway through the half Marsh went close for the visitors, heading a Davey cross just wide, whilst shortly after substitute Pete Smith capitalised on another Holmes run to belt the ball from twenty five yards out, only another great save from Kennedy saw the ball palmed wide to safety. With seven minutes to go the emphatic scoreline was complete, as Darren Holmes headed a partially cleared corner back into the path of substitute Duncan Bray who had evaded the offside trap, BRAY calmly placing the ball home to kill the game for good.

Overall an easier looking win than first expected, with some great performances throughout the side, hopefully showing Sheffield were continuing where they left off last season. There were some very good showings from the new signings, with notable mentions to Anton Foster, Darren Holmes and of course the four goalscorers. The win sets Sheffield up with a mouth-watering tie on Saturday at home to Mossley of the UniBond First Division, who ran up seven without reply at home to Ossett Albion, with Jordan Goodeve grabbing four goals. It will no doubt be a great game, and one to look forward to, with the Lilywhites expected to bring a pretty large following. Hopefully Sheffield will be able to turn in a repeat performance, and maybe produce an upset, with the winner earning an away tie to either Maine Road or Armthorpe Welfare.

Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA: Kennedy, Dixon, Rattle, Phelps (Jury), Davies (Perry), Kelly, Leach (James), Hodgson, Allen, Hutchinson, Chow. Subs Not Used: Fort, Hopps.
Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Boulter, Jones, Cressey, Marsh (Cheetham), Foster, Davey, Ward (Bray), Tevendale (Smith), Holmes. Subs Not Used: Elam, Richardson.

Sheffield 7 Thorpe Hesley 1

Pre-Season Private Friendly

Tuesday, 17/08/05

It's last chance for Manager Dave McCarthy to boost the squads fitness levels and look at tactics in this privately arranged friendly, in readiness for the real action which starts on Saturday.

The home side were off to a blistering start, taking the lead in the third minute when a good cross from Tevendale was turned in by WARD. Five minutes later and Tevendale was the provider again, this time crossing from the opposite flank to Holmes who, unmarked in the area, headed the ball over the keeper but striking the post. Sheffield were however to double their lead in the ninth minute. From a corner, Jones sent in a powerful header which was blocked on the line but the rebound fell to BOULTER who had no trouble finding the net. Sheffield were dominating the game, giving the visitors little respite to venture out of their own half. They did manage a half chance when a cross was headed over the bar, but Sheffield continued to maintain their own pressure. Tevendale was causing big problems for the visitors defence who were unable to keep track of him, one particular effort being a shot which was well saved by the somewhat overworked Thorpe Hesley keeper. Although this match was arranged to replace the usual normal training session, it was by no means a timid affair as both sides went into the tackles strongly. Marsh then set off on a mazy run going almost the length of the field but shooting just wide - the manager adding some humour to the occasion by shouting "Marshie, just win the ball and pass it to the footballers!" In the 43rd minute, a terrific crossfield ball by Boulter found WARD in the area, and the big No 9 had time to control the ball on his knee before coolly slotting it in the net .

The second half saw no let up of the home teams dominance. In the 52nd minute Sheffield were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area after Tevendale had been upended. As the visitors were busy organising themselves Marsh took the kick quickly to HOLMES who lofted the ball over the keepers head and into the corner of the net. Sheffield then made a number of substitutions, with all the squad being given some time on the pitch. The visitors grabbed a consolation goal in the 55nd minute with a good shot, but now they were up against players with fresh legs again, with everyone fighting for a place in the starting line-up on Saturday. There was no let up in the play as Sheffield once again pressed forward. In the 61st minute Cheetham crossed from the right and SMITH was on hand to head home. Two minutes later and it was CHEETHAM himself who got on the scoresheet as he raced through on goal after a defensive mix up, leaving the keeper stranded. Sheffield wrapped up the scoring in the 89th minute when Elam sent over a lovely cross which Smith headed against the post, with CHEETHAM on hand to put away the rebound.

The team certainly looked focused and hopefully are now ready for the season ahead, starting on Saturday in the F.A.Cup at Jarrow Roofing.

Sheffield: Bonnington (Richardson), Hilton, Boulter (Elam), Jones, Cressey, Marsh, Foster (Rowley), Davey, Ward (Smith), Tevendale (Cheetham), Holmes (Roney).

Thorpe Hesley: No team information given

Parkgate 1 Sheffield 3

Pre-Season Friendly

Friday, 12/08/05

Sheffield's last away friendly before next weeks start in the F.A.Cup as Dave McCarthy looks for a morale boosting win. On a sunny evening and a perfect playing surface it was in fact the home side who went into an early lead, when on 4 minutes, a ball down the right of the Sheffield defence was crossed into the middle and one of their attackers were on hand to guide the ball past stand-in keeper Lee Broster. This was more of a competitive match with both sides going into the tackles hard but fair. Some good interpassing through the midfield saw young Rowley in with a chance for the visitors but the keeper did well to save. Sheffield were back on level terms after 20 minutes when a miss-placed backpass let in HOLMES who had no problem to coolly slot the ball home. Parkgate almost hit back when Hilton had to clear off the line.The Sheffield captain then exchanged passes with Davey before putting in a good cross which was cleared for a corner. Davey then had a chance at the far post from a good cross by Cressey. There was good attacking football from both sides and just before the break Sheffield were apply the pressure with a succession of corners, but it was Parkgate who came closest when Broster had to make a full length save in the dying seconds of the half.

The second half saw the introduction of all the Sheffield substitutes at various times to give the squad some match practise and it was one of these that gave Sheffield the lead when TEVENDALE was on hand on the hour mark to run on unchallenged and beat the keeper at the near post. Seven minutes later and the visitors increased the lead when Cheetham headed on for TEVENDALE once again to score, this time via the post from an acute angle. The striker had the chance to grab a hat-trick on 80 minutes but he took too long to shoot and the keeper was able to scramble it away. It was a good performance and the team can now concentrate on the serious stuff as the season kicks off next Saturday with a trip to Jarrow in the F.A. Cup.

Parkgate: Names not available

Sheffield: Broster, Hilton (Elam), Cressey (Roney), Jones, Boulter, Anson, Rowley, Davey, Ward (Tevendale), Smith (Cheetham), Holmes(Foster)

Sheffield 0 Sheffield United U18's 2

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday, 09/08/05

Sheffield continued their pre-season preparations with a game against the Blades Academy side. With both the city's professional sides playing plus live football on television, it was a somewhat low key affair for the supporters who did manage to turn up to watch. United thought they had taken the lead after only five minutes, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Five minutes later and the home side had a chance when Tevendale was recklessly brought down by Green, who was fortunate that it happened outside the area, the referee taking no action against the offending keeper. The resulting free kick was hit harmlessly wide by O'Carroll. On 28 minutes United took the lead when a ball over the Sheffield defence found OLIVER on his own, and he rounded the keeper to put the ball into the empty net. Holmes almost levelled for the home side when he robbed a defender of the ball, but his chip over the advancing keeper was too strong and it went over the bar. It was then United's turn as they had a well worked free kick which also just cleared the bar. On 42 minutes the visitors doubled the lead when MARRISON took advantage of some hesitation in the home defence to put the ball into the corner of the net from a tight angle.

As per usual there was a flurry of activity from both benches with both sides giving their substitutes a run out during the second half. There was only one goalbound effort of note during the whole of the second half when Stevenson made a fine one handed save to tip the ball to safety from a free kick on the edge of the area. The only other noticeable excitement was a scuffle involving Anson and one of the United players which was sensibly dealt with by the referee, who took both players to one side, gave them a talking to and then told them to leave the field to cool down.

Sheffield: Richardson (Stevenson), Hilton, Boulter(Elam), Jones, Davey, Anson, O'Carroll, Foster, Smith, Tevendale (Rowley), Holmes. Unused Sub: Roney

Sheffield United Squad: Green, Law, Starosta, Harper, Hill, Roma, Ashmore, Gyaki, Marrison, Oliver, Kerry, Lee, Hernandez, Donnolly, Birks, Stocker, Naughton.

Sheffield 1 York City 4

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday, 30/07/05

The pitch was looking very lush with the grass slightly longer than normal as our visitors from the Conference York City made the better start this afternoon at a drizzly Coach & Horses Ground. First Donaldson sent a shot just wide of the Sheffield post, and again just five minutes later the same player was put through on goal, but Bonnington made a good block to stifle the danger. Sheffield's only reply at this point was a goalbound header from Ward which was scrambled away by the York defence. Bonnington then had to stretch to palm away a header from Dudgeon. Sheffield were showing far too much respect to the higher league opposition, allowing them to turn and run at the home defence instead of closing them down. This was taken full advantage of by the pacy York attackers. On the half hour it was City who took the lead when a ball from the right hand side was met by the onrushing POUNDER to sweep the ball home, despite the efforts of Bonnington to keep it out. The visitors then increased their lead eight minutes later, as DONALDSON went on a mazy run leaving defenders and goalkeeper on their backsides before coolly slotting the ball into the open net.

The second half saw the introduction of four Sheffield substitutes, including the return of ex-Sheffield FC and last seasons leading marksman at city rivals Hallam, Peter Smith and they immediately set about the task of closing the opposition down. This worked in their favour in the fifty ninth minute as SMITH was the first to react to a centre from the right, getting in front of his marker and heading powerfully home. However, the jubilation was short lived as from the restart MALLON was left in space on the left, just outside the penalty area, and his shot had Bonnington grasping thin air as it rocketed into the top corner of the net. Sheffield were atleast playing better football in this half and were unlucky on several occasions when the final ball just failed to reach it's target. They were certainly putting the York defence under pressure, with Holmes constantly causing them problems from midfield. With the home side tiring it was York who were to get on the scoreboard again, when in the eighty first minute POUNDER found himself unmarked just inside the area and his shot was too powerful for Bonnington to keep out. Club kept plugging away though and once again Smith was unlucky when his header was just the wrong side of the post, with the visiting goalkeeper scrambling to get across to the ball.

Despite the disappointin scoreline, overall it had been a good work out with a chance for the new players to get to know their more established team mates in match conditions.

Sheffield: Bonnington, Hilton (Kontou), Boulter (Elam), Marsh, Cressey, Anson (Smith), Davey(Foster), O'Carroll (Rolley), Ward (Roney), Tevendale, Holmes.

York City: Faz, Price, Merris, Panther, Dudgeon, Hotte, Mallon, Dunning, Bishop, Donaldson, Pounder. Subs: O'Neill, Reid, Convery, Plat, Staley, Hollingworth, Yudd, Hunter, Newman.

Attendance: Approx 200

Maltby Main 2 Sheffield 1

Pre-Season Friendly

Wednesday, 20/07/05

After last week's pre-season opener against a very strong Sheffield Wednesday side at the Coach and Horses, it's more modest opposition tonight as Dave McCarthy accepts the invite from one of his old clubs for this friendly fixture, giving the team some more match practice in the run up to the start of new season.

The game kicked off in bright sunshine on a good firm pitch. However there was quite a strong breeze blowing across the pitch, making passing difficult at times. Sheffield were the first to settle with Ward bringing out a good save from the home keeper and then Marsh, playing in midfield putting a shot just over the bar. New signing Anton Foster was looking very lively and it was good to see Brad Elam back playing after last seasons problems. Just after the quarter hour mark, a Holmes corner finds Marsh moving in unmarked, but the keeper gathers the ball at the second attempt. A couple more good chances went begging when first Bray had a shot blocked by the keeper when through on goal, and then O'Carroll was unlucky as his chipped shot went just the wrong side of the post. It's Sheffield that have had the majority of play, with Maltby yet to have a strike on goal. In fact, on the half hour mark, with Bonnington nursing an injury, he's replaced by 16 year old Adam Banks, who last night was playing in Sheffield's under 19 side. With five minutes of the half remaining Sheffield took the lead when Marsh threaded a ball through to Holmes, who , in turn found the unmarked WARD in the six yard box and he had the easiest of chances to put the ball into the unguarded net.

Second half saw the usual flurry of substitutions as Tevendale and new signing Stuart Copnall joined the action, along with trialist Luke Frith. This half it was Maltby who started to dominate proceedings but without actually endangering the Sheffield goal. Sheffield were awarded a penalty when Tevendale was brought down on the edge of the area. The striker picked himself up to take it and struck the bar with the kick. this immediately launched Maltby on a quick breakaway and they themselves then struck the bar also.With five minutes left Maltby got an equaliser when a corner was headed in unchallenged. Then in the last minute the hosts grabbed a winner when a free kick was played into the area, and despite Banks getting a hand to the ball, it ended up in the back of the net. It was a good work out and gave manager McCarthy a chance to look at formations and different attacking options for the season to come.

Sheffield: Bonnington (Banks), Hilton, Elam (Frith), Jones, Cressey (Copnell), Marsh, O'Carroll, Foster, Ward, Bray(Tevendale), Holmes.

Sheffield FC 1 Sheffield Wednesday 7

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday, 12/07/05

The full-house signs were up at the Bright Finance Stadium as both Club and Wednesday opened their pre-season campaign on a humid night in Dronfield, however it was the majority of the 1,500 in attendance that went home happy as the Owls trotted home a comfortable 7-1 victory. Wednesday, fielding a very strong side, never looked in any danger of being embarrassed by their non-league neighbours - opening the scoring inside a minute and entertaining the crowd with some flowing football. The highlight for the home team came in the form of the best goal on the night, an absolute screamer from Stuart Copnell, and although it was only a consolation in the end, it brought the biggest round of applause from both sets of fans.

With the game being sold out, the gates were shut at bang on 7.30, locking a good number of fans outside. Within 50 seconds Wednesday's un-named trialist Anton Robinson from Millwall was bundled over on the edge of the box by Tom Jones, from the resulting free-kick up stepped BRUNT to half hit the ball, unfortunately the miss-hit shot deceived Club keeper Darren Bonnington and squirmed into the net. On 18 minutes the lead was doubled, Danny Reet managed to get behind the defence and unleash a shot that was blocked at point-blank range by Bonnington; REET however was on hand to comfortably slot home the rebound. Lee Peacock nearly made it three moments later, his looping header had the Sheffield defence rooted to the spot, and fortunately for them the ball struck the bar. Just after the half hour mark McArdle launched a speculative cross into the box, Bonnington and Jones left the ball for each other to deal with, and PEACOCK opened his account by nipping in between the duo to head into the empty net. It had all the makings of a cake-walk for the Championship outfit, and they could have had three more before half time if the finishing was moderately better; summer signing John Hills had a great chance after being left wide open, whilst Peacock had a two chances - hitting the post with one, and being denied by some good handling by Bonnington. The biggest cheer came with three minutes of the half left, COPNELL cut in from the left and unleashed a thunderous left foot shot that left David Lucas grasping at thin air, making the score a respectable 3-1 going into the interval.

Wednesday went on to complete the game with a convincing second half, adding another four without reply, making the gulf in class plain to see and never once looking like conceding. On 58 minutes MACLEAN converted a penalty awarded for hand-ball from a Lee Bullen header. Then two minutes later PEACOCK swept home his second and Wednesday's fifth after some good build up play, with Steven MacLean dummying Danny Reet's cross. With ten minutes left MACLEAN made it six after capitalising on more defensive nervousness, seeing a weak shot go under Bonnington, with BRUNT wrapping matters up two minutes later converting Lee Bullen's cross with a bullet header. Overall the game was a good warm-up for a very strong Wednesday outfit that will be looking to continue their climb out towards the Premiership, whilst for Sheffield it will have been a good exercise in brushing away the summer cobwebs - and making some hard earned money in the process. There were some never-say-die performances from the Club players, with Copnell and Anton Foster making lively debuts - along with the welcome return of Duncan Bray. Next up in the pre-season programme - a trip to AFC Barnsley.

Sheffield FC: Bonnington, Hilton, Cressey, Jones, Marsh, Anson, O'Carroll, Copnell, Ward, Tevendale, Holmes. Subs: Kontou, Bray, Foster, Crossland, Ferraby.

Sheffield Wednesday: Lucas, McArdle, Hills, Robinson, Bullen, Wood, Reet, Whelan, MacLean, Peacock, Brunt. Subs: McAllister, Kirby, Spurr, Ellis, Thorpe.

Att: 1,500.