As Barnsley travel to Huddersfield for a crucial Yorkshire derby tomorrow, the town’s next two highest clubs are set to face each other as they battle at opposite ends of the NCEL Premier Division table.
Athersley Rec are currently bottom of the league with four points from ten games and a goal difference of minus 43, whereas Penistone Church are fifth. Penistone, who host tomorrow’s derby, did the double over Athersley last season, winning 4-2 at home and 4-1 away.
Church boss Ian Richards said: “We always look forward to this local derby which brings a good crowd and atmosphere. It will take league form out of the equation and be a one-off game because it means a lot in terms of Barnsley non-league football. Rec had a disappointing start to the season but they have started to steady the ship and be a lot more competitive. We have to match their workrate and intensity then use our quality to win the game. It will be a great spectacle and a good advert for Barnsley non-league football.”
Athersley manager Pete Goodlad said: “We’ll be going there to win and, if we do, it will be a massive result for our season. “We will be the underdogs but we know we are capable of getting a win. The two clubs get on very well and we both do things the right way. There will be a bit of banter between the players, the staff and the supporters but it is a good, friendly rivalry between two Barnsley clubs. “We’ll take quite a few fans and it should be a good occasion. Penistone will have been disappointed with how many players they lost in pre-season but most of them have come back and now they have a really strong squad. “I think they will definitely be competing for promotion and they have a very good chance of going up.”
