FLYING START TO NEW CAMPAIGN !!

Crowned National league division 3 champions in 2006 City of Sheffield Men began their campaign in the higher league with the opening weekend of Division 2 held in Lancaster on 15/16 September. And what a start !

Sheffield were first game on against Tyldsley – a team who only a few seasons ago were in division 1. Sheffield’s tight press was too much for Tyldsley to handle and they were often forced into long range shots which Sheffield goalie Josh Smith coped with admirably. With goals from Mike Whiteley 4 Tom Girling 2 Tom Kelly 1 John Faben 1 Olly Birkett 1Lewis Matthews 1 and Tom Norfolk. Sheffield eventually won 11-7

Next up Birkenhead, relegated only last season from the top flight. Again Sheffield played an excellent defensive game and with Josh Smith inspired in goal Birkenhead became increasingly frustrated in front of goal. Even though Sheffield’s passing game was off the mark at times the work rate never faltered and final score was 11 – 6 to Sheffield. MikeWhiteley weighed in with another 3 goals along with Tom Kelly 2 Richard Rattlidge 2, Olly Burkett Ben Carter Liam Humphries, Lewis Matthews

Final Game was against local rivals Leeds. With two teams that know each other so well and a Leeds team renowned for being so difficult to beat this was always going to be a tough game. But Leeds were without one or two key players and again Sheffield were very successful in keeping the opponents’ main goalscorers quiet. Although Sheffield perhaps didn’t punish Leeds on the counter attack as much as maybe they should have, they were very much in control for most of the game –score - Sheffield 12 Leeds 8 goals from Mike Whiteley 3 Tom Kelly 3 John Faben 2, Olly Burkett, Ben Carter, Lewis Matthews and Tom Norfolk

A tremendous performance from all the lads:

Josh Smith was magnificent throughout at times seemingly unbeatable, Mike Whiteley with some inspired goalscoring at crucial times, Tom Kelly was such a handful at centre forward creating many of our man up situations, and what seemed like tireless energy and work rate from Lewis Matthews and Ben Carter. John Faben and Rich Rattlidge were rocks in the centre of defence, with Tom Girling and Tom Norfolk making the right flank their own and Olly Birkett and Liam Humphries giving variety to our attacking options. Which just leaves Elliot Kelly making his National League debut at the ripe old age of 14,-looking comfortable and more than capable of handling the game at this level.

Early days in what will be a very tight division, but could we have dreamed of such an opener. Bring on Ponds Forge in two weeks !!

Loughborough 13th & 14th Oct

Sheffield’s topsy-turvy season continued. Having won all three matches on the first weekend of the season and lost all three on the second, they managed three more wins – 7-5 against Birkenhead, 9-6 against Sutton and then 12-1 in the Yorkshire derby with Leeds.

Further information can be obtained from Jim Lafferty (0114) 2694 808 or 07973 745 669

Martin Kelly (0114) 247 0183

Denry Leighton (0114) 277 6481