Rotherham Sunday League swells for big season and Parkgate keep it tight
THE Rotherham Sunday League kicks off its 60th season this weekend with a bumper quota of 70 teams.
That number is well up on the 55 sides who finished last season and the league has been expanded to six divisions to accommodate them.
The action begins on Sunday, with the pick of the matches the Premier Division clash between defending champions Brinsworth DC and last season’s runners-up, AFP Pewter Pot, at Phoenix (10.30am).
PARKGATE are up into the play-off places in the NCEL Premier Division after successive 0-0s draws at home to Beverley Town on Saturday and away to Horbury Town on Tuesday.
Scott Mason’s side host Frickley on Saturday (3pm) and go to Sheffield FC on Tuesday.
Maltby Main’s five-match unbeaten run was ended by a 1-0 reverse at Louth Town in Division One.
Miners came from behind to beat promotion fancies Dearne and District 2-1 at Muglet Lane last Wednesday, Curtis Morrison and Jordan Buckham scoring. South Leeds visit on Saturday.
SWALLOWNEST are seventh in UCL Division One.
That’s after Harley Butcher-Simpson (2) and Liam Arnold netted in a 3-2 win at Holwell Sports.
Swall hit the road again, to Newark and Sherwood United, in the League Cup on Saturday.
KIVETON Park’s 12-year wait for a return to Step 7 of the league pyramid ended in a 2-0 defeat to Penistone Church Reserves at Hard Lane in the County Senior Premier Division.
Relegated Swinton Athletic lost 4-2 at Thorncliffe Villa in Division One but Dinnington Town Reserves (Richie Akins 2, Josh Greenhoff 2, Jake Bonnett, Owami Moya) outscored Barnsley Town 6-4.
The name of Rotherham Town has been revived and they began their Division Two season with a 4-4 draw at Dearne & District Development through Marley Edwards, Kingsley Little, Kevin Kevin Olszewski and Jamie Ward.
Another new side, Maltby Main Reserves, won 8-3 at Barnsley Town Development.
IN the Central Midlands League, goals from Chris Hopkins, Raul Cioboata and Kehmati Anderson couldn’t save third-bottom AFC Phoenix from an 8-3 loss at Kinsley Boys.
Saturday (3pm): Phoenix v AFC Bentley, Dinnington Town v SJR Worksop.