Toolstation NCEL Division One
Penistone Church manager Ian Richards
Penistone Church manager Ian Richards says Non League football in Barnsley is enjoying a fantastic period ahead of an eagerly-anticipated derby clash.
Penistone host a Worsbrough side which is enjoying their best run since the great days under Chris Hilton and chasing three vital points to help secure their NCEL status for next season.
“Currently how everyone is doing in Barnsley is brilliant for Non League football in Barnsley,” Richards told Non League Yorkshire.
“Success breeds success so we want Shaw Lane to go and do the double because if they do well it puts Barnsley on the Non League map.
“We then follow in their footsteps. Worsbrough are enjoying their best form in a number of years and I’m really pleased for Josh Wright. He’s done well in a difficult situation.
“Athersley are hopefully going to finish in their highest ever position in the NCEL Premier and I’m pleased for Sean (Margison) and the players there.
“It is a good time for Non League football in Barnsley.”
Penistone are fifth, three points behind Grimsby Borough with a game-in-hand. Church also in the NCEL League Cup semi-finals with a home tie with Glasshoughton Welfare looming in mid-April.
“We are very lucky that we have been in a semi-final and we’re still in another, whilst also chasing promotion,” he said.
“We have the NCEL League Cup semi-final and if we acquit ourselves like we did against Shaw Lane then we have a great chance of getting to Bramall Lane.
“We also have a great chance of promotion. If we finish in the top four we have a home tie in the play-offs and I think that gives us an advantage because our home form is very good.
“We need three points to confirm the play-offs and hopefully we can get those on Saturday, although we know it will be a tough game against Worsbrough.
“We must not take it lightly.”
The other semi-final was the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup tie with Shaw Lane AFC on Tuesday night which saw lose 3-1.
Despite the defeat it was a very spirited display from Church.
“It was a disappointing night, but the second half performance was something to be proud of,” he said.
“I thought there wasn’t anything in the first 30 minutes. We stuck to our game-plan and we nullified their threats and we had a couple of good chances.
“It was disappointing that it was a lack of concentration from a long throw where we haven’t got tight enough to the second ball that undid us.
“Then there was a missed header for the second and those fine margins cost you. The Danny Howes sending off obviously changed the complexion of the game and you fear the worst.
“I couldn’t see it, it was on the far side from me. Danny’s devastated, but the ref does not give a red for no reason and he should know better as captain.
“But second half they did make the extra man count and you could not tell that it was ten versus eleven. We had more possession and we stopped them playing. They went a little more direct and ran out of ideas.”