An FA Cup appearance is a dream come true to Penistone Church, says Ian Richards
Playing in the Emirates FA Cup for the first ever time underlines the progress Penistone Church have made in the last few years.
That’s the view of proud manager Ian Richards, who leads his side into battle in the Extra Preliminary Round clash with Pontefract Collieries in Barnsley tomorrow.
Richards told Non League Yorkshire: “It is so exciting for Penistone Church to have an FA Cup tie at home.
“When we took over five years ago that would have been a huge dream as it wasn’t even on the radar.
“To be playing a local team is brilliant for the club and the community.
“We want to win, but playing in it this season is a huge honour.
“When we played Pontefract on GroundHop day we had a big crowd and while I don’t think there will be as many here, I think there will still be close to 200 in.
“It is a brilliant chance to promote our club to the community as well.”
Penistone Church will play in the FA Cup for the first time when Pontefract visit
Luke Danville heads Pontefract Collieries in front in the 7-0 win at Penistone back in April
Whilst pleased at their inclusion in the draw, Richards must have been waking up in hot sweats since it was made because of the identity of their opponents.
Penistone last hosted Pontefract in April as the final match of the Toolstation NCEL GroundHop weekend.
Over 500 people attended, but Richards and his men were left embarrassed as eventual promotion-winners Pontefract destroyed them in a 7-0 hammering.
Richards said: “It is brilliant to play them again because we didn’t do ourselves justice on the GroundHop day.
“We had three strikers missing and I don’t want to go over that again.
“It wasn’t right and we want to right the wrongs of that day.
“Pontefract will be strong again, but we’ll make sure it is a much closer game this time.”