Whiting's treble gives Redmireshigh hopes of winning top title

The promotion places in both Division One and Two were all more or less settled, but who takes the title in all three divisions is still anyone’s guess after all three leaders dropped points leaving just two points separating the top three in each of them.

Tom Whiting hit a hat-trick as Redmires beat fellow CBC Premier title chasers Wickersley Youth 6-4 to knock Wickersley down to third. Thanks to Whiting and George Rudd goals, Wickersley found themselves 2-0 down within 10 minutes, but they hit back with an Adam Daughtrey strike and equalised with an Ainsley Finney strike following good work from Joe McGuinness. They weren’t level for long though as Whiting and Rudd both struck again to put Redmires 4-2 at half time. Wickersley took control after the break and made it 4-3 with a Jonny Claxton header, but Redmires hit them on the break and Whiting completed his hat-trick to make it 5-3. Wickersley hit back again with a Ben Thornton tap in to reduce the arrears again, but as they strove for an equaliser they were hit on break again and Conal Jacklin made the final score 6-4 to Redmires.

Up to second is Wadsley Bridge Pheasant after an Adam Askwith double helped them to a 4-1 victory at Killamarsh Juniors. Othefr scorers were Kane Doughty and Simon Bingley.

Juniors’ consolation came from a Robin Holmespenalty.

Woodseats hopes of escaping the bottom three got a boost when a last minute goal from Nicky Owen gave them a 3-2 home victory over twentytwo Cup finalists Handsworth Old Crown. Matt Ellis put Handsworth ahead only to see it cancelled out before half time by a Mark White goal for Woodseats. The second half saw Woodseats take the lead when Lewis Whitaker hit a first time 25 yard volley but it was cancelled out by Handsworth skipper Dave Haggerty. It looked as if Woodseats would have to settle for a point until the final minute when an Owen header went in off the post to give them three precious points and leave Handsworth still needing points to make sure they are still in the CBC Premier next season.

Despite being surprisingly held by to a draw by a Cotts still needing points for safety, leaders Norton Sportsman could still celebrate as the point from their 2-2 draw confirmed their promotion from Division One. Michael Blythen gave Cotts an early lead, but it was soon cancelled out by Andy Gibbons.

Cotts restored their lead when they were awarded a penalty and Blythen scored his second from the spot, but just before the break Sportsman were back on level terms when Lewis fired home.

The second half saw Sportsman push for a winner, but they found the Cotts keeper James Newsome in great form and had to settle for the point that guaranteed their second successive promotion.

Chapeltown RBL are now second on goal difference only after Dale Shaw made it four goals in two games with another brace as they also guaranteed themselves promotion from Division One with a 4-0 victory over Southey Social. Nathan Forbes and John Thompson were the other scorers.

Cobden View were able to celebrate avoiding the drop with a 4-1 victory over an in-form Ranch. Although Ranch started brightly it was Cobden that took a first half lead through Cav Rowland. Ranch levelled in the second half with a Jay Lindsay penalty, but Cobden knew they would be safe with victory and they got it with further goals from Alex Butt, Will Cutler and Tim Pitt. Mark Turton and Jack Peake both scored twice as Norton Oaks B edged very close to safety with a 6-1 victory over Civil Sports B. Nasa Meah and Scott Birch put Oaks two up by the break and Turton and Peake both added their doubles in the second half, while Alex Cowlishaw hit Civil’s consolation.

The top three of Crookes, Forum and Royal Earl are all guaranteed promotion after Mosborough Whites were held at home by Boynton Sports. Boynton’s man of the match Tom Goodison scored for them, while Levi Williamson netted for Mosborough, but they couldn’t find a winner. Crookes retained top spot despite an Anthony Holmes double helping second place Forum to a thrilling 4-3 victory over them. Josh Gibson’s 21st of the season put Forum ahead and Holmes had doubled it before half time. Liam Cartledge pulled one back for Crookes, but Andy Harrison and Holmes second gave Forum a three goal lead. Crookes fought hard to get back into the game and Cartledge netted his second before Matt Owen hit their third, but with Lee Thompson in fine form for the home side they held on to go just a point behind Crookes.

Royal Earl missed the chance to go top on goal difference when they were held to a 2-2 draw at third from bottom Woodhouse Juniors. Dimitri White shocked the Sunday Junior Cup winners by giving Woodhouse a first half lead and although John Fusco’s first of the season drew Earl level, they fell behind a second time when George Leesley scored his first goal for Woodhouse. Connor Chapell got a second leveller for Earl.

It means it’s still all to play for with just two points separating the top three.

FIXTURES IN BRIEF

29-Apr CBC PREMIER Intake Old Boys v Civil Sports A (being played at Civil Sports); Norton Oaks A v Hdswth Old Crown; Stannington Village v Killamarsh Juniors; WB Pheasant v Redmires; Wickersley Youth v Hallam; Woodseats Club v Penistone Church DIVISION 1 Chapeltown RBL v Woodhouse Village; Civil Sports B v Ranch; Cobden View v Brinsworth Phoenix; Cotts FC v Southey Social; Norton Oaks B v Colley; Norton Sportsman v Oughtibridge WM DIVISION 2 Crookes FC v Boynton Sports; Forum FCCO v Mosborough Whites; W Horse & Jockey v Royal Earl; Woodhouse JFC v Mosborough Reds