Penistone Church boost chances of automatic promotion

Penistone Church defender Brett Lovell celebrates scoring their third goal and his 14th of the season to seal victory over Rossington Main. Photo: Ian Revitt

It saw fourth-placed Church close the gap on the top two to five-points with a couple games in hand.

Penistone boss Ian Richards was delighted with the result and believes his team can still grab a top two slot thus avoiding the play-offs.

“I thought we controlled game for full 90 minutes it was a complete performance,” he said.

Penistone were in front on three minutes Andy Ring getting on the end of a flick on to score with a well placed header. Ben Rhodes doubled the advantage on 17 minutes when his cross dropped directly into the net and the points were wrapped up with the third 17 minutes from time. Big defender Brett Lovell scored his 14th goal of the campaign with a composed finish from 12-yards.

AFC Emley had to come from behind at home against Campion before running out comfortable 4-1 winners helped by a Ashley Flynn second half -hat-trick. Flynn made it 50 goals for the season as Emley consolidated second-place in the table where they have a five-point cushion over Hall Road Rangers in third.

The visitors edged in front on 24 minutes as Eli Hey sent a looping header over home keeper Graham McLachlan.

Emley were level four minutes into the second half through a Jordan Coduri penalty after Flynn had been pushed to the ground.

Two minutes later the hosts had turned it around when Flynn was left unmarked at the back post to score his first. His second arrived when he beat the offside trap to tuck the ball under the keeper. Flynn grabbed his third despite the attention of two defenders.

Maltby Main put a dent in Pickering Town’s Premier Division title aspirations with a 1-1 draw at Muglet Lane that left the visitors seven points adrift of leaders Cleethorpes Town and having played a game more.

Maltby were only seconds away from taking all-three points. Ryan Carroll had volleyed the Miners into a 22nd minute lead and they were unlucky not to add to it with Nicky Darker having the keeper scrambling with a speculative 40-yard effortl

But Pickering’s late pressure paid off when Sam Denton steered a shot wide of Danny Rusling.

Staveley MW slipped to a first home league defeat in six going down 2-0 against Rainworth MW. Nick Langfordgave the visitors an early advantage with Matt Harris heading the second 10 minutes into the second half. Staveley had Tom Ellis sent of for a second yellow card.

Tuesday fixtures - Premier Div: Handsworth Parra v Barton.Div One: Worsbrough BA v Dronfield Town.

Wednesday - Premier Div: Athersley Rec v Staveley MW. Div One: Brigg v Penistone Ch.