Toolstation NCEL Division One
Penistone Church 2-0 Bottesford Town
Brett Lovell scored the opener for Penistone
Penistone Church electrified the race for the play-offs after climbing into the top six with a vital victory over ten-man Bottesford Town.
Vastly-experienced defender Brett Lovell eased the tension around the ground with the opener close to half-time.
Third-placed Bottesford then pressed the self-destruct button as Terry Barwick saw red. This was followed by a horrendous mistake which led to Lewis Dickinson scoring the killer second goal.
The late sending off of Duncan Richards did take some shine off the victory, but there is no doubting the significance of it for all concerned.
The result means champions-elect Hemsworth can win promotion on Saturday if they beat Hall Road Rangers and AFC Emley fail to take three points at Dronfield Town.
It was a must-win night for Penistone. The size of the crowd showed that. With Hallam coming strong, Penistone needed to put their marker down in the first in three games-in-hand of Shirebrook Town.
Not that it mattered, but it was an untidy affair, littered with far too many yellow cards – handed out by referee Lee Hible, who proved his credentials as a good man to have at a wedding.
Bottesford probed Penistone in the first quarter without seriously hurting their back four. Penistone then upped the ante with a series of chances. One hit the post before former Stocksbridge centre-half Lovell headed home from a corner.
The big man was involved in another turning point as he was floored by a flailing arm from ex-Stalybridge man Barwick on the hour mark.
Barwick made his exit, leaving his team with a mountain to climb. With the crowd urging Penistone forward, Bottesford goalkeeper Leigh Herrick gifted Church their second goal. After receiving a harmless back-pass, Herrick, uncharacteristically, blasted the ball at Dickinson as the striker closed in. The Church forward did not even need to apply a further touch as the ball had already landed in the net.
Penistone deserve credit for their defending after also preventing Bottesford, a side chasing the final automatic promotion spot, having a real shot on goal.
Even midfielder Richards being very harshly shown a second yellow card in the final few minutes for kicking the ball away, did not disrupt their organisation.
Penistone Church manager Ian Richards:
Penistone Church: Rhodes, Jones, Howes (captain), Ellis, Cadzow, Lovell, Richards, Moore, Kenworthy, Dickinson (D Joynes 70), Fearon (Kemp 75). Subs unused: Whitehead, Newsome, Young.
Referee: Lee Hible
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 109
Man of the match: Brett Lovell (Penistone Church)