Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Penistone Church 5-1 Knaresborough Town
Nathan Keightley became Penistone Church’s record goal-scorer in the NCEL era with two first half penalties in the straight-forward victory over Knaresborough Town.
Keightley overtook club great Andy Ring to claim the title with an ever-growing tally of 92.
His feat was the stand-out story for Penistone whose top three hopes are well and truly alive.
In the terrible conditions, left-back James Young broke the deadlock in the ninth minute from a free kick from a deep wide position on the right-wing.
His in-swinging ball caught the attention of the wind and it sailed into the six-yard-box and bounced on the ground before crashing into the left-hand top corner.
Some said it was a cross but Young is a man of great intellect and wit so it was probably a shot.
The goal was disastrous for Rob Hunter’s Knaresborough whose side was threadbare to start with.
The North Yorkshire-based side were up against it before the game had even kicked off and they soon conceded another.
Captain Danny Howes brilliantly won the ball back with a strong tackle – Keightley sent a killer ball out to the right and Brad Kemp smashed home.
Penistone certainly didn’t need any help in their pursuit of the third but the referee Eliott Shiers decided to give a ridiculous penalty after Keightley slipped on the muddy surface.
The striker duly slotted home in front of a raging Knaresborough.
A further penalty – after Wayne Hughes was tripped – allowed Keightley to break his record and put Church four goals to the good at half-time.
The home side managed the game effectively in the second half.
Ryan Johnson grabbed a goal for himself after a making a lung-busting run like a young winger to guide the ball home.
Knaresborough had their moments – Sean Hunter hit the post.
Hunter was in the sin bin when he would have taken the penalty which Ben Parkes blasted into the nearby housing estate.
The best goal of the game actually belonged to Knaresborough as substitute Tom Dugdale – perhaps with help from the wind – sent a stunning 30-yard rocket into the top corner.
What They Said
Penistone Church manager Steve Lenthall
“I thought it was a very solid victory.
“I think we approached the game right and were professional in the first half.
“We said it was going to be another game of two halves with the wind and I thought we set our stall out and started the game quick.
“We isolated their full-backs which we spoke about before the game after watching them on Tuesday night at Emley.
“We thought we would be at our best by getting the ball out wide and I thought we did that really well and deserved to go in at half-time winning.
“The first penalty is a dodgy one and it looks like Nathan slipped.
“You can see why their gaffer is frustrated with it.
“After that I thought we dominated the half and deserved to be at least 3-0 up with the chances we created.
“We said at half-time that it was about making sure we stayed disciplined, professional like we have done in the last few weeks when it has been really windy.
“You have to manage the game and I thought we did that really well.”
The Teams
Penistone Church: Snaith, Johnson, Young, Danny Howes (captain) (L Johnson 71), Brennan, Lovell, Coduri, Firth (Jenkins 77), Keightley (High 43), Hughes, Kemp. Subs unused: Lee, Broughton.
Knaresborough Town: Hassall, Hall, Tomlinson (Navier 61), Rose, Ramplin, Cook (Dobson 55), Walker, Parkes (captain), Heath, Hunter, Gregson (Dugdale 55). Subs unused: Powis.
Who Was In Charge
Eliott Shiers (5/10)
How Many Were There
229
Man of the Match
James Young (Penistone Church)
