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.”
