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Sunday March 7th
Sheffield FC U18's C 3 - 7 Aston
Unfortunately even though asked to start quicker prior to the KO SFC found themselves 1-0 down after 2 minutes and the ball had never made the Aston half.
Although SFC then got into there rhythm it could have easily been 2-0 but for a good save from keeper Ben Raynes. Then from a superbly struck free kick by Danny Middleton, Alex Jones out jumped the defence of Aston to Level the scores. Then a bit of history Danny Middleton who has played for the team since the age of 9 took another superb free kick from the left and curled the ball into the Aston Net, his first goal in over 4 years. Minutes later it was 2-2 as Aston equalised all this and only 17 minutes played. Aston then scored a third and just before half time they scored what can only be described as a farcical goal, where the ball was pushed on to the cross bar then headed back on to the top of the crossbar where it bounced more than once before coming down over the line. Half Time 2-4 to Aston.
Although the teams retired to the changing room and strong words where said there was little improvement from SFC in the second half and Aston continued to play hard but fair football.
The final score was 3-7 with Josh Hector scoring SFC’s third.
This team seem to have lost there way and it’s a shame as they have some good players but it would appear very little self belief. A long post match meeting took place between the coach and the players and the writer can only hope that for there sake they can bring the good football back that we all know they can deliver.
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Sunday February 28th
Kiveton 6 - 1 Sheffield FC U18's C
Josh Hector scored SFC's only goal of the match.
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Sunday February 14th
Wadsley Bridge 3 - 2 SFC U18's C
This was SFC U18C first fixture on grass in 2010.
After a very good first half SFC went in at half time 2 up with a good first goal by centre forward George Torr after very good work from both Jack Walker followed by a superb across the penalty area ball from Alex Jones. Shortly before half time after some excellent persistant work from Josh Hector who eventually slipped a good ball in to Wadsley Bridge’s penalty area and Ryan Lynch put away his third goal in as many games.
Having been advised by there coach at half time that the next goal was vital to the outcome of the match SFC conceded two very quick goals due to defensive mistakes, although the first should have never been allowed as an opponent handled the ball on route to the delivery of the final ball, unfortunately on the blind side of the referee. With 3 minutes to go once again a blunder in defence and the end result being a third for Wadsley Bridge. What started out as a good first half performance was unfortunately followed by a less than normal performance in the second half from SFC
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Sunday February 7th
Sheffield FC U18's C 3 - 2 Handsworth Hornets
First of all what a good game of football between two teams who didn’t just want to punt the ball up field and hope. After 20 minutes Handsworth took the lead from sloppy defensive play from Sheffield FC. Then SCF began to take control equalising with a goal from skipper Ben Dronfield after Ryan Lynch had chased down a ball that realistically he had no right to win. The top scorer Josh Hector never gave up the chase on a long through ball that he managed to poke past Handsworth’s advancing keeper and finally to make the score 3-1 Ryan Lynch the smallest player on the pitch if not in the league out jumped a defender and from 30 yards preceded to lob the Handsworth Goalkeeper. Following this goal something was said and the referee issued a straight red card to the Handsworth Goalkeeper. The second half was a battle with Handsworth deserving some credit for although being a player down never gave up and midway through they scored a second from a corner.Although never a nasty game at least 4 yellow cars where brandish by the referee and subsequently this took an amount of the competitiveness out of the match as neither team wanted further sending off's.SFC man of the match Ryan Lynch
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Sunday January 14th
Sunnyside 6 - Sheffield FC U18C
Finally after 3 postponed fixtures this Brian Bradley 2nd Round Cup match got under way. Although Sunnyside where drawn as the home team the match was played at Gosforth Fields on the 3G Astro-Turf.Realistically this was a fixture that could have graced the final as Sunnyside sit top of the division and SFC are second. It was very easy in the first quarter to see why Sunnyside are top of there division with some superb flowing football having 2 or 3 very skilful individuals revelling on the near perfect playing surface. Within 15 minutes SFC where 2-0 down an early loss of procession in midfield led to the ball being offered in to the SFC penalty area although what appeared to be a clean tackle by Danny Middleton the referee adjudged it a Penalty from which Sunnyside scored to the keeper’s right. Very shortly after this was followed by what can only be described as a superb bit of skill by Sunnyside’s left winger seeing the SFC keeper off his line he curled a superb dipping shot in to the top right hand corner. This appeared to kick start SFC and very quickly they where on the offence with Danny Hughes and Ryan Lynch having good opportunities to get on the score sheet. Back came Sunnyside making SFC keeper Ben Raynes make two incredible shut outs on each occasion making first a treble stop shortly followed by a double save, the second drawing applause from his opponents. With Half Time looming a very good move down SFC’s right saw Josh Hector strike the post from a superb Danny Hughes cross. At Half Time the score was SFC 0-2 Sunnyside. From the kick off Sunnyside came out firing and very quickly the game was out of site for SFC as the score became 3 then 4-0.It was only when Sunnyside went 5-0 up did SFC produce a goal and what goal it was, probably the best of the Match. Ashley Ryecroft put his head down went past a couple of players and then with his superb left foot struck a screamer in to the keepers top right hand corner giving him no chance.Sunnyside then made it 6-1 before little Ryan Lynch latched on to a through ball and with his pace prodded the ball past the advancing Sunnyside keeper. Final score Sunnyside 6-2 SFC U18C Although the final score gives the impression of a mauling SFC’s performance was good, with the coaches praising several players for excellent performances including Alex Jones, Skipper Ben Dronfield, Danny Hughes Adam Simpson, Ryan Lynch and not forgetting the impressive Goalkeeping of Ben Raynes.
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Sunday December 13th
Sheffield FC U18's C 8 - 3 East Midlands Utd
After a slow start SFC got into there stride and very soon Josh Hector once again got himself on the score sheet shortly followed by midfielder Alex Jones notching his weekly contribution. Although this was after EMU’s had levelled the score.
The football was now flowing and just before half time George Torr rounded off a very good team goal that started at the back, working the ball through midfield and when the ball came in from the right there was Torr to finish with a nice clean half volley half time 3-1.
SFC where quick out of there blocks and it wasn’t very long before Hector had his second and SFC’s 4th.
EMU’s then scored a second before SFC made 3 substitutions that between them came on and scored 4 more with 2 from Danny Hughes and one each for Ashley Smallcombe and one for Ash Ryecroft.
There where a few excellent all round contributions in particular Adam Simpson and Jack Walker both working extremely hard throughout the match.
After the match in the new Clubhouse, the players themselves chose Ashley Smallcombe as their Man of the Match.
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Sunday December 6th
Sheffield FC C 10 - 0 Brinsworth
SFC where drawn at home in the 1st Round of the Brian Bradley Cup against Brinsworth of Division 4. Although going in at half time 3-0 to the good, SFC had not played as a team, with goals coming from Josh Hector Alex Jones and a first ever goal for Ashley Smallcombe who was making his first start for the team. The second half was a much improved performance and had it not been for an excellent performance from the Brinsworth Goal keeper the final score line could have been much more. Goal scores where Hector 4 Jones 3 Smallcombe 1 Danny Hughes 1 and 1 for Ryan Crossley.
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Sunday November 29th
East Midlands United 4 - 4 Sheffield FC C
A poor team performance on a very wet pitch with enough chances for both sides to have won the match has to be the way to describe this fixture. Goals today where 2 from Josh Hector, a good long range strike from Skipper Benn Dronfield and an equalising header from Dan “Simmo” Simpson on as a second half substitute. Not the expected performance from a team sitting second in the league.
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Sunday November 22nd
Sheffield FC C 5 - 1 Killamarsh Dynamo’s
This game was played in very blustery conditions and therefore made it exceedingly difficult to judge any ball that wasn’t passed along the ground. Keeping the ball on the ground of course suites the style of SFC and for most of the first half they where in command.
On 10 minutes Danny Hughes scored a stunner from outside the 18 yard box and surely he was the only person including the spectators who saw a shot was on, but on it was and a very clinical finish made the score 1-0. Minutes later he saw an opportunity again, this time from a tighter angle but on this occasion the shot hit the crossbar. It seemed Hughes only had one thought today and that was to “shoot” on site as the right side midfielder had his third attempt, once again without success. Shortly the score did increase when after a scramble, the ball saved by the Killamarsh keeper, bounced down from the bar and in nipped Josh Hector to score for the third consecutive week this time with his head. Half time 2-0 to SFC.
The second half was a slow and scrappy start with once again the weather having an influence as the wind was now getting a bit stronger. Ash Ryecroft made way for Adam Simpson to come on slipping in to left back position and Ryan Crossley moving up into his accustomed midfield role.
After 15 minutes and after much hard work from George Torr the score was 3-0. This time Crossley tapping in a shot from Torr, which was doing its best to stay out.
Now coasting SFC gave away a silly free kick just outside there own 18yard box, no matter how verbal keeper Ben Raynes was his defensive wall let him down by not lining up where he was asking them too and direct from this Killamarsh scored. 3-1
Shortly SFC made two substitutions Ben Dronfield replacing skipper Dave Hawley in defence who had given his all, quickly followed by Ryan Lynch coming on up front and Hector dropping in to midfield to replace Jono Chapman who had had an excellent game.
Fresh legs make a big difference on this massive pitch and very quickly Lynch nipped in behind the away teams defence to prod the ball over the goal line just ahead of the away team’s keeper.
Minutes later SFC where awarded a free kick out on there left, up stepped Hughes and smashed what can only be described as a thunderbolt which fizzed across the Killamarsh goal area and hit the keeper’s left hand upright, had that gone in, it would probably have been a goal to saver and probably goal of the season.
5 minutes later and it was 5-1 this time Torr getting his just rewards chasing down a through ball from the midfield slotting the ball home comfortably to the Killamarsh keeper’s right.
A comfortable win in very difficult conditions.
Man of the match award went to the impressive Danny Hughes.
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Sunday November 15th
ASTON 2 - 3 SHEFFIELD FC
The winning streak continues but this was a fight ...
Going 1-0 down to poor defending in the first 5 minutes was not the start wanted, so it was going to be an up hill battle on what was a poor sloping pitch.
It could so easily have been 2-0 to Aston but SFC where saved by the post as the home team reacted strongly.
25 minutes in and once again Danny Hughes chased what looked like a lost cause but in doing so gained a corner.
Ash Ryecroft placed the ball and with a strongly curling ball and the home keeper under pressure from a goal mouth full of players the ball went into the net directly.
SFC where now back in the game but to be fair where never looking comfortable and once again defensive frailties allowed Aston to score there second and go in at half time 2-1 in front.
Then it happen “the half time volley from the coaches” this seems to be the only thing that gets this team going and going they did.
Without making a single substitution but making the starting 11 more than aware of the fact that changes would be made, they came out of there blocks a different team.
10 minutes in and Jono Chapman won a penalty. Having worked hard to retain the ball he had his legs taken from under him.
Up stepped Josh Hector and coolly placed his spot kick to the keepers right, in to the inside side netting for a perfect penalty 2-2 and now a game to go on and win.
With there tails now up and chasing everything the ball once again fell to Ryecroft on the left near the corner flag, bringing the ball back towards his own half he suddenly cut inside and with his right, hit the most perfect sweet curling shot high to the keepers left. What a goal! 3-2 to SFC.
From this point on and with players starting to tire SFC went tactical bringing on Dave Hawley for the hard working Jack Walker and going with 3 centre half’s and 2 wing backs closing a very strong Aston down as quickly as possible. With 10 minutes to go SFC substituted both Alex Jones and Josh Hector both players having worked there selves in to the ground. This gave a chance for Ashley Smallcombe and New signing Ryan Lynch to come on and straight away both players got involved with good contributions.
SFC held firm against a strong Aston side and managed to keep them out to the final whistle with the final score Aston 2 SFC U18”C” 3
Man of the match went to the very committed Jono Chapman.
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Sunday November 9th
Sheffield FC 1 - 0 Kiveton Park FC
The tradition of Remembrance Sunday was adhered with a minute’s silence prior to kick off.
Today’s game was a top of the table clash Kiveton starting the day in 2nd with SFC in 3rd
Before the game was a minute old SFC had taken the lead and what a goal it was from the pure football perspective.
From the KO the ball went back to the SFC defence up through the midfield using both sides of the pitch involving just about every outfield player before Josh Hector calmly slotted the ball home without it leaving the playing surface. SFC pretty much then controlled the game throughout the first halve all be it the weather started to show its nasty side with heavy rain Half time arrived still 1-0. From the KO Kiveton came out strong and pushed Sheffield on to the back foot which was a little surprising given the control they had had throughout the first halve. Slowly but surely SFC clawed there way back into the game and once again took control having a couple of opportunities to extend there lead. On 65 minutes Danny Hughes replaced the hard working Jack Walker, who almost immediately created a chance for Alex Jones by chasing a ball that looked a lost cause, but once again without producing a goal. On 70 minutes a tactical change this time replacing Ash Ryecroft from midfield with George Torr and once again this nearly resulted in a goal Torr missing at the near post. Opportunities kept coming but unfortunately no more goals. On 80 minutes Jono Chapman replaced Louie Woodward and once again almost immediately a substitution almost created a goal for Ryan Crossley again missing on the keepers near post.
Final Score SFC U18”C” 1 Kiveton 0 SFC go Second in there league
SFC are very proud and would like to wish Louie Woodward well having take his final bow to a huge round of applause from all present as this is to be his last Match before leaving to join up with the British Army. Every one within the team and club would like to wish Louie All the best in his planned career and would like to make it known that he is welcome back at anytime.
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Sunday October 25th
Sheffield FC U18's C 4 - 3 Wadsley Bridge
After a much delayed start due to the match referee having to travel the breadth of Sheffield for his second match of the day SFC U18C started like they meant business with some excellent flowing fast passing football. On 15 minutes they took the lead from a corner superbly taken by Ash Ryecroft who found Ryan Crossley on the back post who calmly prodded the ball home for his 6th goal of the season. On 30 minutes Wadsley Bridge equalised and unfortunately this came from a defensive mistake which very shortly after a second mistake by the SFC defence and again Wadsley Bridge capitalised and went 2-1 up and that’s how it remained to half time.
As it was pointed out at the end of the match it would appear that this team needs nothing short of a rocket at half time to focus them on what they are all about, with the coaches advising the players it was time they believed in themselves as much as the coaches believed in them, because they came out all fired up and straight from the KO they went up and won a corner, from which Ryecroft swung in another beauty which this time curled straight in. It was now becoming one way traffic, with Alex Jones now back in control from midfield. Soon it was 3-2 as Louie Woodward chased what appeared to be a lost cause and with a superb cross from nowhere Jack Walker appeared to stab the ball home. Very soon it was 4-2 and thanks this time to an own goal but full credit must go to the players for pressing so strongly the defender could only slide the ball into his own net.
With 5 minutes remaining and for the second week running a penalty decision went against SFC, this time given against them when the ball appeared to have been cleanly won and carried away by skipper Ben Dronfield. Wadsley Bridge scored and this made the last few minutes a little frenzied culminating in an away team player receiving his marching orders for a second yellow card.
Final Score SFC U18”C” 4 Wadsley Bridge 3.
Two notable performances came from Josh Hector and Man of the Match Jack Walker.
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Sunday October 18th
Handsworth Hornets 2 - 2 Sheffield FC U18 'C'
A much improve performance from SFC 18C this week saw the whole team battle for 90 minutes on a very hard bumpy pitch that made purist football almost impossible. In saying that SFC passed the ball around well which is how this team like to play and created a number of chances with the Handsworth keeper pulling of 2 superb first half saves from Danny Hughes and George Torr. Half Time 0-0
Approaching 60 minutes Handsworth took the lead. A free kick from there right side was floated in to the box, slack defending meant one of the Handsworth players found his way around the back of the defence to score with a stooping header. On 65 minutes SFC made a substitution bringing on Ryecroft for Hughes, the tempo lifted and SFC applied the pressure they had been looking for and it wasn’t long before it paid off with Chapman stabbing home from close range. 1-1
As is the case in many games concentration dropped and Handsworth went straight up and once again scored what can only be described another scrappy goal. 2-1
Handsworth now with there tails up pushed forward and Raynes had to make a terrific diving save to keep the score at 2-1.
Two further substitutions saw Hector Replace Chapman and D.Simpson replace Hawley who had given his all. SFC moved players around and suddenly they where back in it when Torr took on the defence and finished calmly. With there tails now up SFC battled hard and fell foul to a poor refereeing decision that probably cost SFC the win. Crossley turning the defender cut in to the box only to be scythed down and for some unexplainable reason the decision by the ref was, that they bumped into one another. Shortly after a superb lobbed effort by Hector just went over the bar.
Final Score 2-2 Man of the match went to a very much deserving Adam Simpson who did the simple things well.
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Sunday October 11th
No Game
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Sunday October 4th
NORTON LEE’S 0 - 8 SHEFFIELD FC U18 “C”