Gibraltar International Adam Priestley was a key player in Shaw Lane’s 4-1 win at Penistone
Shaw Lane Aquaforce needed substitutes Lee Morris and Adam Priestley to pull them out of the fire in the 4-1 win at local rivals Penistone Church.
Gibraltar International Priestley scored twice and provided the assists for Morris and Andrew Fox in Aquaforce’s second half comeback.
Toolstation NCEL Division One side Penistone had deservedly led at the interval through former AFC Emley forward Mark Crossfield’s goal.
Aquaforce could have been excused for a bad night as Craig Elliott was forced to field a scratched side.
Due to holidays and injuries, only a few of his star players were available so trialists and three of Martin Beaumont’s under 18s made up the rest of the squad.
Penistone did most of the talking in the first half and had created the main chances when their goal arrived close to the half-hour mark.
Shaw Lane’s trialist goalkeeper dropped the ball from a corner and Crossfield pounced to score from inside the six-yard-box.
Action from Penistone Church 1-4 Shaw Lane Aquaforce
Action from Penistone Church 1-4 Shaw Lane Aquaforce
Action from Penistone Church 1-4 Shaw Lane Aquaforce
Action from Penistone Church 1-4 Shaw Lane Aquaforce
The visitors survived further scares including a dramatic goal-line scramble before half-time changed everything.
Morris soon arrived on the scene to rescue his side, but he wasn’t involved in the equaliser. Priestley, who was a first substitute for the injured Sam Denton, was the orchestrator after lifting the ball into the air for Andrew Fox to powerfully head home.
Penistone soon fell behind. Priestley’s volley was batted away, but Morris was on hand to score from close range.
Two quick-fire late goals sealed Aquaforce’s victory. Apart from Denton, Shaw Lane had all their experienced players out on the field and that helped take advantage of a young and tired Penistone.
Quick forward Priestley kept taking getting behind the home side’s defence and he got his first of the night after latching onto young Josh Batty’s long ball.
In almost exact circumstances, Priestley added the fourth seconds later.
Penistone Church: Dean, Cadzow, Howes, Jones, Whitehead, Lovell, Richards, Exley, Crossfield, Ring, Hall. Subs: Ellis, Hoyland, Young, Newsome, Lee, Moore, Royle.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Gosling, Kilburn, Meynell, Darley, Cotterill, Denton, Kaybourne, Beaumont, Vinton, Wright, Fox. Subs: Morris, Priestley, Dixon, Batty.
Attendance: 74