DEARNE and District Women are the only senior football team from Barnsley known to have completed a competitive game over the weekend.
They drew 1-1 at Mexborough Athletic in a top of the table clash in Division Three of the Sheffield and Hallamshire League.
Manager Jack Crookes said: “I woke up, looked outside and thought ‘this game isn’t going ahead.’
“But Mexborough asked for some time to get the game on and we were happy to agree to that because we really wanted to play it and it was a big game.
“Their groundsman did a really good job to get the pitch completely cleared of snow.
“It was soft underneath and playable.
“There was a pitch inspection at 12 and the referee said the game could go ahead.”
Substitute Danielle Burrows got the goal for Dearne who are a point clear in first place, ahead of second-placed Mexborough. Two teams are due to be promoted.
“It was a pretty equal game. We had really good chances first half but it was 0-0 at half-time.
“They started well in the second half and took the lead
“But we came back and got our goal. Both teams had chances to win. It was a fair result in the end.
“We were very much aware they have games in hands on us so if we lost it would put them in even more pole position then they maybe are now.
“An away draw is always good.
“We want to win the league but the first target is to get promoted.
“That point takes us closer and we’re seven unbeaten in the league.”
Like the club’s men’s team who are hoping to reach the NCEL this season, Dearne’s women want to climb the leagues in the near future.
They are hoping to reach Division Two for next season and eventually make it out of Division One.
“The long-term aim is to get to regional level.
“It might take three or four years. The short-term aim is promotion.
“We’re hoping to set up a development team next year to bring players through.
“It’s my third season in charge. In the first we were second-bottom, third in the second season and we went to go one better.”
