THE three First Division sides in the Sheffield and Hallamshire area were involved in the County Cup and two have progressed to the next round – the only loser Holmbridge beaten 3-1 by Worsborough Common.

Hepworth travelled to Ecclesfield Red Rose – fourth last season in the top Sheffield League – and came home with a 2-1 win. Hepworth shaded the first half but had luck on their side for the only goal.

A James Basnett shot took a deflection which sent the keeper the wrong but he still managed to get a hand to it but could not prevent it crossing the line.

In the second half, the Red Rose played well and deserved the equaliser fifteen minutes from time.

Just before the end of 90 minutes, Red Rose’s striker let his team down badly. Within five minutes of having been booked for dissent, he kicked the ball away and was shown the red card.

Extra time saw chances for both sides in an entertaining clash but in the first period of extra time, a cross from the left from Simon Walsh evaded everybody but Chris Dews chased the ball and returned it into the centre where it found the head of Sam Wardle who headed home to give Hepworth a 2-1 win.

The other team to win through to the next round was Shepley.

They faced another Sheffield outfit in Lane Top and the score line was the same. Shepley were on top in the first half with Tom Kinder’s goal rarely threatened.

The closest anyone came to scoring in a goalless first half was when Shepley’s Danny Ingham cut inside from the right and shot from the corner of the box.

The opposition keeper saved well but his save fell for Sam Haigh but he couldn’t steer the rebound in.

Shepley had even more possession in the second period and took the lead in the 55th minute. Midfielder Gareth Lockwood fed Lyam Gill down the left and his perfect cross was headed home by Gary Bradley. Shepley then suffered a setback.

From a rare corner from the Sheffield team, Sam Denton put through his own net. As the game near the ninety minute mark, extra time loomed but Shepley grabbed a deserved winner.

Neat interplay between Haigh, Gill and substitute Jason Thorp on the right side led to a partially cleared cross which fell to Ingham who drove home.

In a week when New Mill 94 tendered their resignation from the League, the Sheffield Junior Cup showed that the District League aren’t the only League experiencing this problem.

Four of the League’s clubs are through to the next round and two of them didn’t have to kick a ball. Both opponents of Cartworth Moor and Scholes failed to raise a team but Grange Moor and Upperthong and one goal wins.

Are Upperthong on the up? In the last few seasons, successes have been rare apart from a Gee Cup win but now they are under the guidance of the Battye brothers – James, the secretary, Štakes the first team while his brother Jonathan is in charge of the reserves – and both teams are within a three points of the top of their respective divisions.

In the Sheffield Junior Cup last week, it was the opposition keeper who kept his side, New Bohemians in the game as Upperthong had just a single goal to show for their efforts – Anthony Mather netting after being set up by Paul Gill.

In the second half Matthew Earnshaw made it 2-0 and the game looked secure. However, a goal from a set piece ten minutes from time gave Bohemians hope but Upperthong held on for a 2-1 win.

In Division One action, Newsome lost their second place position.

They lost 5-4 to Moldgreen and now Berry Brow move above them after they beat Lepton 2-1.

Newsome opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a Joel Bryce goal but it was all square shortly after as Carl Gledhill headed an equaliser.

Newsome regained the lead before half-time with another goal from Bryce.

Ryan Hall then levelled again for Moldgreen only for Newsome to open up a two goal advantage with two penalties.

Newsome were then reduced to ten men with 15 minutes to play when a man being sent off for foul and abusivelanguage.

This handed the initiative back to Moldgreen and they took full advantage. Hall scored a solo goal for his second and Moldgreen’s third, Karl Gledhill beat the offside trap for the fourth; and Kev Hartley latched onto a through ball for the winner. ŠŠ