Toolstation NCEL Division One
Ian Richards has guided Penistone Church to the Toolstation NCEL Division One play-off final
Penistone Church staged a stunning performance to beat favourites AFC Emley 3-1 in front of 800 people, to move to within one win of the Premier Division.
The League Cup finalists will visit Grimsby Borough, who pulled off a comeback to defeat Hallam 3-2, on Saturday. The final is by far the biggest match in Church’s history.
The two semi-finals provided an excellent advertisement for NCEL football.
To reach over 800 at Emley is an unbelievable achievement, one the league and the two clubs should be proud of and look to build on.
Those watching were certainly entertained. Veteran striker Andy Ring stunned the home support with a curling third minute strike to put Church ahead.
Worse was to follow for Emley as they found themselves 2-0 at half-time when Liam Schofield headed past his own goalkeeper Graham McLachlan.
Into the second half and a foul by McLachlan allowed Penistone’s Jack Moore to add a deserved third from the penalty spot.
Emley’s night was summed up by the dismissal of McLachlan for a second bookable offence. It meant Josh Ingham finished the night in goal for Emley.
Ash Flynn did give Emley a brief ray of hope, but it was too little too late.
Penistone now move onto to face Grimsby, who came back from 2-0 down to beat Hallam.
They appeared down and out when Michael Blythen hit two goals on the stroke of half-time for Hallam. But three goals in the second half won it for Grimsby.