Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Joint manager John Whitehead wants Penistone Church Reserves to be pushing at the top end of the table this season.
Whitehead and Scott Briggs will take charge of their first competitive game at the helm tomorrow when Church host Houghton Main.
The pair hope it will be the start of a good campaign.
“I think we definitely need to be in amongst the top five or six, that’s how you would judge it as a successful season,” Whitehead told Non League Yorkshire.
“We have got five or six new players in and we have managed to keep some of the old guard and we have looked good in pre-season.
“I know we have had losses in pre-season but I wouldn’t say we have been cut open.
“I think largely the goals we have conceded have been down to errors which is pleasing because they are easier to cut out than fixing bit gaps.
“We definitely need to be looking top five or six, especially with it being our first season.”
“We have lost four or five key players who have been key players for numerous seasons.
“We have made some good signings and it is encouraging.
“I’m happy with the size of the squad and I’m happy with the quality in the squad and hopefully that leads to a successful season.
“It may be a bit of a rebuilding season but I definitely think there is enough quality in the squad to finish high up the table.”
In: Ryan Hallsworth (Glasshoughton Welfare), Owen Wildblood (Worsbrough Bridge), Chris Drew, Jenson Wills, George Parr (Barnsley scholars), Will Stead.
Strong league
Whitehead is not naive to think finishing in the top five will be an easy task.
“They’re five or six teams very strong sides,” he said.
“Swinton are always strong and have a strong side.
“We played Ecclesfield in a pre-season and they were exciting going forward.
“They’ve just signed Laurie Wilson so he’s going to bring experience and leadership.
“Dodworth always provide a threat, especially when (Danny) Barlow is on song.
“Stocksbridge are a threat and are well-drilled.
“There’ll be good battles with Gawber and Wombwell, both strong physical sides and provide a different challenge.
“There’s some strong sides in there so it will definitely be a tough league again this year.
“I just hope we can complete the year without it being threatened by the pandemic.”
If you have enjoyed reading Non League Yorkshire over the past few months, please consider making a donation to the not-for-profit organisation NLY Community Sport which provides sport for children and adults with disabilities and learning difficulties. CLICK HERE to visit the JustGiving page. There is a video at the bottom of the page showing our work.
NLY Community Sport, run by James Grayson and Connor Rollinson, has always had combatting social isolation at the top of our objectives when running our Disability Football teams.
Our work is playing an important role in reintroducing our players, who have disabilities and learning difficulties, back into society.
We have six teams, a mixture of Junior and Adult teams – Nostell MW DFC, Pontefract Pirates, Selby Disability Football Club and the South Yorkshire Superheroes (Barnsley) – across Yorkshire.
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