Preview of games to be played on 27 & 28 August

 

In the first leg of the Bank Holiday weekend double-header, leaders Appleby Frodingham go to Treeton seeking a victory that, depending on results elsewhere, could seal a second league championship title, and avenge their comprehensive defeat against the same opponents at Brumby Hall. With Treeton also needing the points that could similarly ensure their place in the top division next season, a keenly fought tussle can be expected. A similarly hard-fought game is likely at the Al-Murad Stadium, where Elsecar will face second-placed Tickhill. The latter must just keep winning and hope that the leaders slip up, whilst Elsecar, ten points above the relegation places, really need the win. Realistically, the best Wakefield Thornes can hope for now is second place; they are just six points behind Tickhill and will hope to extend their winning run to five at home to Sheffield Collegiate, who have now won only once in their last six. Fourth-placed Barnsley Woolley Miners have little to play for, but they have lost only twice since mid-June and will want to finish the season on a high, as well as complete a double over neighbours Cawthorne; the latter though, are currently eight points short of safety and desperately need the points. Cleethorpes are the side above Cawthorne at the moment, and they are at home to Doncaster Town; the visitors are not absolutely safe yet, but the Meggies certainly need the win more, and will hope to gain revenge for their defeat at Town Fields. Finally, Whitley Hall can make certain of their place in the division next season with a win over relegated Whiston Parish Church at Church Fields. 

 

 

Aston Hall will secure promotion if they beat Green Moor at Green Lane, but a win is crucial also for the visitors as they mount a late Championship survival bid with two wins in their last three. If Aston Hall’s promotion looks all but nailed on, the battle between Hallam and Wickersley Old Village for the second place continues and could come to a climax tomorrow when the two meet at Crimicar in a game that will not necessarily decide which of the two is promoted, but will give the winners a vital advantage going into the last two games. Wickersley won the clash at Northfield Lane in June, but if Hallam can gain revenge, they could go into the last two games of the season with an 18-point advantage. Despite their win over Houghton Main last Saturday, Rockingham Colliery are currently bottom of the table and 32 points adrift of safety, and nothing less than a win from their game at home to Sprotbrough will do for them. Even if they win, a win for tenth-placed Barnsley Woolley Miners 2nds at home to Shiregreen will seal their fate. Elsewhere, there is just pride at stake at Park Road, where Conisbrough host Houghton Main and at Abbeydale, where Sheffield Collegiate 2nds play Wath. 

 

 

Darfield lead Division 1 by eight points going into the closing stages of the season, with their Saturday game coming away to Rotherham Town. Former league leaders, Doncaster Town 2nds, occupy the other promotion place, and they play host to Wakefield Thornes 2nds. There is quite some distance to third place, where Upper Haugh look to keep up their hopes of promotion but have a difficult game at home to fourth-placed Sheffield United. Elsewhere, the bottom four continue to battle it out for one position of safety. Sheffield Collegiate 3rds are the current basement team, and have a huge game at ninth-placed South Kirkby whilst the two teams above them, Coal Aston and Warmsworth, have hard games away to resurgent Oughtibridge War Memorial and fifth-placed Whitley Hall 2nds, respectively. 

 

 

Aston Hall 2nds crept into the third Division 2 promotion place last weekend after their win over Penistone and defeats for both Treeton 2nds and Hallam 2nds. This time around, the third-placed side are away to relegation-threatened Monk Bretton. Treeton are away to mid-table Penistone while Hallam face a huge test away to second-placed Wickersley Old Village 2nds. Ackworth are now assured of first place, but will now have a say in the relegation battle, as they face tenth club Caribbean Sports. Meanwhile, bottom side Thorpe Hesley & High Green’s hopes of survival are very slim, and they are away to mid-table Norton Oakes; whilst the two sides immediately above the relegation zone, Norton Woodseats and Hatfield Town battle it out at Grave Park. 

 

 

There will be a tough challenge for champions-elect Elsecar 2nds this weekend, when they travel to play Wath 2nds, who themselves are scrapping for promotion in fourth spot. Behind the leaders, second-placed Tickhill 2nds are at home to relegation-threatened Oughtibridge War Memorial 2nds looking for a win that would virtually seal their second place. Parkhead currently occupy the final promotion place, and they entertain mid-table Frecheville Community, looking for a win to keep Wath at bay. Bradfield Village Fellowship are just six points above the relegation zone and they play host to Worsbrough Bridge, one place but 18 points above them. Thorncliffe & Wentworth in eleventh can still escape the relegation places, but they will face a difficult task away to Sprotbrough 2nds. Whiston Parish Church 2nds’ relegation will be confirmed if they fail to beat mid-table Kexborough at Bence Lane. 

 

 

The race for the Division 4 title continues with Stocksbridge and Millhouses Works locked level on points at the top. This weekend sees a tough test for second-placed Millhouses, who entertain fourth-placed Cawthorne 2nds; whilst Stocksbridge go to Shiregreen 2nds, who need the points to close a six-point gap to safety at the bottom. Higham currently hold third spot, but are in a tight battle with Cawthorne and Handsworth Junior SC just six points behind them. Higham are at home to Barnsley Woolley Miners 3rds, who are just six points above relegation; whilst Handsworth go to Whiston Forge, who must win to keep their survival hopes alive. Silkstone United can ensure their own safety and relegate bottom club Maltby Miners Welfare with a win at the Recreation Ground; and there is a mid-table clash between Sheffield Collegiate 4ths host Rockingham Colliery 2nds. 

 

 

Third-placed Doncaster Town 3rds have the chance to drag themselves back into the Division 5 promotion race this weekend when they play host to second-placed Upper Haugh 2nds. Dropped points by the latter would also allow leaders Wombwell Main to strengthen their title bid if they can pick up a win away to Sheffield University Staff. The University are in a battle themselves, as they sit six points off Hallam 3rds and safety. Hallam will look to maintain that gap with a win away to Coal Aston 2nds, a place but 32 points above them. Below those two, Mexborough and Norton Oakes 2nds are relegated, and will play out games against Rotherham 2nds and Fishlake respectively. Elsewhere, a mid-table clash sees Darfield 2nds at home to Conisbrough 2nds. 

 

 

Promoted Sheffield United 2nds have the Division 6 title all but wrapped up, 34 points clear of Penistone 2nds, and they face mid-table Bradfield Village Fellowship 2nds at Bawtry Road. Penistone are away to Caribbean Sports 2nds on Sunday, the latter also needing the points, but to make up a 16-point gap to safety. There is a big game for Thorpe Hesley & High Green 2nds, currently eight points behind the top two, at home to relegation-threatened Sprotbrough 3rds. In a vital weekend for them, Caribbean are at home to mid-table Wickersley Old Village 3rds on Saturday. Finally, relegated Barnsley Woolley Miners 4ths face fourth-placed Whitley Hall 3rds at Woolley. 

 

 

Brookhouse finally lost their 100% record at the top of Division 7 last weekend and will look to bounce back when they host relegated Monk Bretton 2nds. Higham 2nds remain just six points behind the league leaders, whom they defeated last weekend, and are away to Eden Grove Parklands, who are still in relegation danger. Below the all-conquering top two, Ackworth 2nds occupy the final promotion place and will look to make certain of promotion when they visit mid-table Frecheville Community 2nds. Their nearest challengers, 14 points adrift, are Warmsworth 2nds, who play host to Harley. Elsewhere, relegated Thorncliffe & Wentworth 2nds play host to mid-table Millhouses Works 2nds. 

 

 

There are four games to be played this weekend in Division 8, but league leaders Hatfield 2nds have the weekend off. Second-placed Houghton Main 2nds are at home to relegation-threatened Scholes; whilst Stocksbridge 2nds, just two points behind Houghton, host fourth-placed Doncaster 4ths, who are still in with a chance of promotion. Elsewhere, relegated Fishlake 2nds are away to mid-table Worsbrough Bridge 2nds; whilst in mid-table, Rockingham Colliery 3rds play Wath 3rds away on Monday. 

 

 

Two of Division 9’s top three play this weekend as four fixtures take place. Adwick-le-Street currently top the pile and, if they beat Eden Grove Parklands 2nds at home, they can increase the gap at the top as second-placed Wombwell Main 2nds are without a game. This would also enable Upper Haugh 3rds to jump into second if they beat Kexborough 2nds at home. On Sunday, fourth-placed side Whiston Forge 2nds are away to Rockingham Colliery 4ths seeking a win to keep their very slim promotion hopes alive. Finally, in mid-table, Brookhouse 2nds play Rockingham Colliery 4ths away. 

 

 

Also this Sunday, the Billy Oates Memorial Cup final will take place at Fishlake CC, between Upper Haugh 3rds v Whitley Hall 3rds, with a 12 noon start. 

 

League tables 

 

Fixtures