ATHERSLEY Rec stopped their long run of league defeats this week and their new manager believes they should be looking higher than just survival this season.
Rec ended a run of seven successive league losses with a 1-1 draw at Wakefield on Tuesday.
They have eight points from 13 games so are one place and four points clear of the relegation zone.
The Penguins finished bottom last season but were given a reprieve.
Paul Clarkson was brought to the club last month following the sacking of Jimmy Whitehead.
The former Millmoor Juniors and Wombwell Main coach has been in charge of Mexborough Sunday League side Queens United for 12 years, a role he will continue alongside his Rec job.
Clarkson said: “We have plans in place to stabilise.
“Come the other side of Christmas, that should be done and we can kick on.
“The remit from the club is to stay up but I want even more.
“We have the full club together at the moment.
“We’re more than capable of staying up.
“We want to be looking higher than that.
“I have shown loyalty for 12 years on a Sunday and I want to do the same to Athersley on Saturdays.
“It’s a massive project for us.
“We want to build a legacy.”
Rec took the lead in midweek through Oliver McQuillan but a late own goal meant they could only draw.
Clarkson said: “Wakefield had a lot of possession but we had prepared for that and did exactly what we wanted.
“We defended absolutely great.
“We should have gone 2-0 up.
“We’re gutted not to win but, when you take a point at one of the top sides, in a rebuild, it is a good result.
“We have been playing well.
“You just don’t seem to be get rub of green when you’re near the bottom of the league.”
Rec had lost 3-1 at home to Beverley Town on Saturday.
The visitors went 3-0 down before Spenser Shepherd’s late reply.
Meanwhile, Worsbrough Bridge lost 2-1 at Beverley Town on Tuesday.
Connor Glavin put Bridge in front on the strike of half-time but the hosts netted twice.
Worsbrough drew 1-1 at home to Staveley MW on Saturday.
The visitors scored in the third minute but Lewis O’Connor levelled just after the break. It was Lee Morris’ first game of his second spell as manager and ended a run of six straight losses in all competitions.
Bridge now have 15 points from 14 games so are 17th, 11 points clear of the relegation zone. They are winless in ten in all competitions.
Morris said: “It’s good to be back, to see all the familiar faces who have brought the club forward while I have been away. It’s in a really good place now. I am just excited to be back.
“When you first come in, you have to assess what you need.
“We know what we need now and we’ll work on that.
“The aim is to finish in the top ten and see if we can sneak in the play-offs.
“The form isn’t good enough for the squad we have so we need to turn it around.
“We played really well at Beverley but it was two lapses in concentration.
“The lads have given everything and it’s been a good start from them.”
Wombwell Town drew 3-3 at fellow high-flyers Parkgate, and are now three points clear at the top with 34 from 13 games.
Town looked likely to gain a tenth straight league win as Brad Kerr and Gavin Allott put them 2-0 up after half an hour.
But the hosts – who had won all eight home games – came back to lead 3-2.
Rikki Paylor levelled in the 90th minute for the Wombwell club.
