Toolstation NCEL Division One
Penistone Church 2-2 Glasshoughton Welfare
Ollie Fearon scored in Penistone’s draw with Glasshoughton. Picture: Ian Revitt
Two quick-fire goals from James Popplewell earned a point for Glasshoughton Welfare, who almost won it late on at play-offs chasing Penistone Church.
It looked bleak for Welfare at the half-time break after going in two goals down but a much better second half performance saw them claw the two goals back and with a glorious chance missed with virtually the last kick of the game they really should have gone home with all three points.
It was a horrible start for welfare when, inside the first minute, hesitation in the defence saw the ball played across the penalty area and Danny Joynes gave Mark Suttle no chance from ten yards as he slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
From the restart Welfare attacked down the right and Fawcett hit a shot into the arms of Adam Rhodes.
In the next few minutes Penistone could have increased their lead twice when once again the Welfare defence were found sleeping and Alwin Riley found Ollie Fearon who fizzed a shot just beyond a post. Seconds later Fearon volleyed over the bar after a cross from the right.
Welfare were unlucky on twenty minutes when a delightful chip over the keeper from Popplewell saw the ball strike the post and bounce away. Del Pollock then broke into the area but his weak shot was blocked by Rhodes.
On thirty eight minutes Penistone got a second in slightly controversial circumstances. Josh Morley seemed to receive a bad head injury in a tackle, but referee Justin Carpenter allowed play to continue and Fearon broke into the penalty and he knocked the ball into Suttle’s far corner of the net.
Within two minutes of the second period starting Penistone had a goal disallowed for offside. Welfare keeper Suttle who, had shown good confidence and handling in his second game for the club, then kept his side in the game when he did well to tip a Joynes shot onto a post.
Welfare started their comeback in the last twenty minutes. Firstly, after good inter-passing, Pollock shot just over the bar. Then another piece of good play on seventy seven minutes saw Pollock play the ball to Popplewell who beat Rhodes from the edge of the penalty area.
A minute later Popplewell got his second when the ball was played in from the right and the Welfare player nipped in front of Rhodes to clip the ball home.
The last ten minutes proved quite frantic and either side could have got the winning goal. Pollock was through on goal but was brought down as he shot for goal. His resulting free-kick was collected under the bar by Rhodes.
At the other end the welfare defence had to withstand a number of free-kicks and corners and from one Lucas Middleton brilliantly headed off the line.
In the last few seconds Fawcett could have won it for welfare when he broke free, but with only Rhodes to beat the young striker hit his shot over the bar.
Penistone Church manager Ian Richards: ”This is one of the lowest points of the season, not because we played badly but because we played well, controlled the game and allowed them to equalise. We now must focus on Eccleshill United and Bottesford and attain maximum points.”
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Craig Wilkinson: “It is a good point in the end against a decent side. It was a game of two halves and we were really poor in the first. We changed the shape in the second half and were a lot better.”
Penistone Church: A Rhodes, Richards, Young, Ellis, Cadzon, Lovell, B Rhodes, Howes, Joynes, Fearon, Riley. Subs: Moore, Ring, Whitehead, Kenworthy, Dickinson.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Suttle, Rollinson, Middleton, Walsh, Cusworth,(Brearley), Hunter, Fawcett, Akeister, Pollock, Popplewell, Morley (Coyles). Subs unused: Clarke, Scothern.
Referee: Justin Carpenter.
Attendance: 131
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.