Penistone Church are aiming for one of their biggest crowds when they begin what they hope will be a journey to the Wembley final of the FA Vase.
Church are set to host Bridlington Town tomorrow on ‘Non-League Day’ during the international break for Premier League and Championship clubs. They received a bye in the first two rounds and are five games away from the final at Wembley.
Richards said: “It’s been well-promoted by our club and Barnsley FC and, after getting crowds of 250 plus recently, it would be nice to see more than 300 people at our ground. Our league is the highest that competes in that competition and we have to believe we can compete for it.
“We beat Bridlington in the league but we need to produce another performance like that because they are a good team. If you are at a loose end, I suggest you come down and watch because it will be a real advert for non-league football.”
Church are unbeaten in eight matches after an 8-0 home win over Burngreave on Wednesday in the Sheffield FA Senior Cup.
Nathan Keightley scored twice in the first 12 minutes, with the second a penalty, then Tom Cadzow and Brad Kemp put the hosts 4-0 up after half an hour. Billy Law added two before the break then Andy Ring hit a second half brace. Penistone reached the final of the competition last year but lost to Shaw Lane AFC.
Richards said: “I thought the players were exceptional and deserved to win 8-0. Burngreave aren’t a walkover, they have had some good wins in the County Senior League. They just couldn’t live with our intensity and tempo. I feel we will do well in this competition and go a long way.”
Church drew 1-1 at home to promotion rivals Hemsworth MW in the NCEL Premier Division on Saturday in front of a crowd of 287. The visitors took the lead midway through the first half then Church’s Nathan Keightley levelled with a stunning lob early in the second. The draw meant Penistone dropped from first to third in the table.
