500 appearances milestone for Sheffield FC veteran Matt Roney
It was honours even in the local derby as Sheffield FC and Stocksbridge Park Steels battled to a 1-1 draw at the Coaches & Horses Ground, where Club took an early lead before Steels hit back with a second half equaliser.
With both team struggling with injuries that had led to dips in results, a draw was about the right outcome with Sheffield having the better of the first 45 minutes and Stocksbridge coming on strong after the interval.
Before the game there was a guard of honour for Matt Roney as he became the first Club player to make 500 appearances.
Sheffield got off to a flying start when Rob Darkin head home a corner at the far post.
The home side got behind the visitors defence on a quick break but Sheldon Jordan’s shot lacked power, allowing Jacob Carney to make a comfortable save. Then from another corner Adam Chapman glanced wide.
Stuart Ludlam curled an effort just past the far upright early in the second half.
Steels though began to take a grip on the game and it took a brilliant save from Jonathan Hedge, getting down to palm away a Danny Frost effort, to keep the hosts lead intact.
Scott Ruthven then pulled another chance wide before Stocksbridge grabbed a deserved leveller eight minutes from time. Frost turning smartly in the area to drill a low shot under Hedge.
In the Toolstation NCEL Division One, Hallam came from 3-1 down at the interval to draw 3-3 against Worsbrough Bridge Athletic in a feisty affair at Sandygate Road.
Hallam started brightly and made all the early running only to fall behind on 18 minutes.
Jed Phillips went to chest down a cross but the match official deemed the ball had struck the top of his arm and awarded a spot-kick. James Leverton saved Ashley Emmett’s penalty but Emmett reacted quickly to knock in the rebound.
The home side responded well with Jordan Turner having two good chances to draw his team level. Hallam were back on level terms, however, on 32 minutes when Sam Reed’s cross found the unmarked Sam Smith, who took a touch before sliding the ball under the keeper.
Worsbrough regained the lead six minutes later with a splendid goal. Emmett spotted Leverton off his line and from just inside his own half lobbed the ball over the stranded keeper.
In first half stoppage time the visitors extended their lead from a quick breakaway through Kai Hancock.
The home side needed an early goal in the second half and they got it inside the first minute. Turner was played in on the right by Sam Fewkes and this time the striker made no mistake with a firm low drive into the far corner.
Parity was restored on 57 minutes. Turner saw his shot blocked on the edge of the box, rebounding to Smith who hit a first time volley into the bottom corner through a crowded area.
Worsbrough found themselves down to ten-men on 76 minutes with Matt Thornton shown a straight red for a late lunge on Danny Booth.
Smith twice went close to a winner, Tom Roebuck’ header was hooked off the line and Turner was denied in the final minute.
Handworth suffered their heaviest NCEL defeat after being thrashed 10-1 at lowly Knaresborough Town.
Leon Howarth’s 25th minute chip had pulled it back to 2-1