EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Wombwell Town manager Karl Rose admits the EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division title race is thrilling and brilliant for the league.
As many as ten clubs can stake a claim as a potential contender for top spot – creating one of the most competitive and pulsating title fights in years.
“It is really exciting for everyone involved (in the league),” Rose told Non League Yorkshire.
“I said at the start of the season that we want to be up there and competing.
“We have played 14 league and cup games and we have only lost one so we’re very happy with the start we have had.
“We have maybe drawn too many but we have shown we can compete and we are certainly in the mix at the right end of the table.
“We’re around a third through the league. Barring Swinton who have a few games-in-hand, everyone has played a fair few games and look at the results, everyone is beating each other and it is exciting.
“We have played nearly everyone and they have all been competitive games which is what you want in the league. You don’t want teams battering sides.
“Last season (the title race) went to the last game of the season and the way it is going it may well do again with a number of teams having a chance of winning with five-or-six games to go.
“I’m certainly enjoying my first season in the league. Great football is being played and there’s some really exciting results.”
Some may say there is no clear favourite for the title due to how close the Division is.
“I’d still put Dodworth there (as favourites),” Rose said.
“They lost to us on the first day of the season and they were unbeaten until they lost to North Gawber last week.
“They have got the experience of being up there but again have Stocksbridge, Oughtibridge, Penistone, Wombwell Main, Swinton, Gawber.
“Hepworth have been the surprise package this year where (Darren Hepworth) has done well bringing players in.
“They have had a great start and they are really competing at the front end.”
The FA’s window for applications for promotion to Step 6 is now open and Rose has confirmed Wombwell are putting their name forward in case they fulfil the on-field criteria at the end of the season.
“To cover all bases (in case we finish in the eligible spots) we will be putting an application in to get promoted but we know there is a hard work to do on-and-off-the-pitch,” he said.
“We’re working tirelessly to put our ground improvements in place.
“If we do finish high enough to get promoted it would be a dream come true to contemplate going up but we know it is a long and hard season.
“We’re not taking anything for granted and we’re taking one game at a time and enjoying our first season in the County Senior League Prem.”