Only one fixture survived – that on Monday (Dec 10th) when Staveley Miners Welfare drew 1-1 at home with Worksop Town. Both sides are neck and neck in Division 1 and added to that, both teams have well proven free scoring attacks with equally mean defences. In the event they cancelled each other out, so maybe a draw was predictable!
James Whitfield had put the home side ahead on the stroke of half time but Worksop’s Reece Twell got a deserved equaliser just after the hour with a penalty. On a difficult frozen pitch both sides played some good football without creating too many clear cut chances but as the final few minutes ticked away Worksop almost took all three points with a number of near misses. Both sides have championship aspirations so will have hoped for better, but the result keeps them both in contention with games in hand.

Reece Twell's goal keeps him in third place in the goal scorers charts – he has ten to date this campaign. Other Division 1 hot shots are: Retford’s Reece Thompson – leading the pack with a massive eighteen and in second place Sheffield’s Liam Bryan with thirteen. Staveley’s scorer on Monday, James Whitfield, is also in the top ten with six goals to date.

In Division 2 the goal scorer’s list is headed by Ollerton’s Lewis English. Lewis is comfortably in the lead with thirteen strikes and is followed by Daine McGraine (Harworth) on nine, Stefan Beckham (Parkgate) on eight and Jack Hodson (Basford) also on eight.

The game at Inkersall Road highlighted the basic rule of football – score more goals than the opposition and you win games – and you win championships. And Staveley have a mean defence and a lively forward line. They’ve conceded only eight to date – the lowest in the Division - and their 27 goals scored means that they are up with the front runners. Put these two statistics together and it must give the Inkersall Road management reason for optimism. There will be a similar optimism at Worskop – their 26 goals puts them up with the top scorers and a very creditable 11 conceded means they don’t throw goals and points away easily. Both clubs have a number of games in hand on the top bunch – so watch out Sheffield and Retford! In Division 2 Basford and Ollerton are the “goal scoring meanies”. Basford’s 29 goals for and only 6 against and Ollerton’s 31 for and 9 against means they are head and shoulders above everyone else – and maybe this fact alone will determine where the Division 2 championship eventually lands.

But, having said that, there’s still a long way to go and everything to play for. The Christmas break means that every club will be re-charging its batteries ready to renew the challenge in January in what is developing into the closest competition for several years. Any team in either division can still reasonably think that if they put a little run together they can be “in with a chance” as the end of the season approaches. This, linked with the cracking football we’ve seen to date from every club, means there’s lots to look forward to in the New Year!
And, from all the clubs in the Baris North Midlands’ Under 19 League could we wish all our friends and supporters a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

This coming week (week commencing Dec 17th) there are some Christmas crackers! On Monday Dec 17th, Inkersall Road is the place to be when Staveley Miners Welfare take on high flying Retford United. It’s still early days but this could be one of the pivotal games of the season in deciding the eventual Division 1 champions – both clubs are riding high and can claim to be champions elect.
And on Tuesday, there’s an all-Sheffield thriller at Sandygate when Hallam FC host Handsworth FC in Division 1. Handsworth must be favourites but local derbies and Hallam’s recent form suggests it will be tight.
On Wednesday there are three Division 1 games. Pinxton FC entertain Arnold Town in a game which again could be on knife edge. Both clubs have gone through changes of management in recent weeks and both have come out of it well so anything could happen. At Southwell City, Worksop Town are the visitors – and given their recent form will be hopeful of taking home all three points. Worksop are another of the teams with championship aspiration so this is a game they need to win. For Southwell, a recent dip in form means that the points are equally important to them. And finally on Wednesday, Teversal FC play Sheffield Club at Carnarvon Street. The Dronfield team, whilst still heading the table have been a bit up and down in recent weeks so Teversal will fancy their chances. Sheffield need to collect the points to keep Retford, Handsworth, Staveley and Worksop at bay!

In Division 2 the week starts with an all Nottingham derby when leaders Basford United entertain Dunkirk FC (Monday Dec 17th). Looks a home three points but don’t be fooled – Dunkirk have four games in hand on Basford so could easily spring a surprise on the second placed side.
On Tuesday there is a clash of the titans at Silverlands when Buxton FC take on Harworth Colliery Institute. Neck and neck in the Division both sides will be desperate for the three points to keep them in the top group. A real six pointer this! And also on Tuesday, Matlock Town play host to Sandiacre Town. Both teams are in the lower reaches but Matlock have games in hand and will be keen to turn these into points. Similarly, Sandiacre will want to turn the corner and convert some good performances into points.
On Wednesday evening, Parkgate FC host Maltby Main – this fixture has been reversed due to the unavailability of Maltby pitch – everything suggests the home win, but Maltby have recently picked up their first win and Parkgate’s most recent result was a defeat, don’t count those chickens yet!
Finally, on Thursday, Carlton Town Academy, currently third from bottom host top side Ollerton Town at Stoke Lane. A quick glance suggests an away wins here but Carlton have got it together in recent weeks – anything could happen!

Report by Tony Beale.