Penistone Win Tight Game

Today’s game at Kirklington Road was always going to be close affair between two sides on excellent runs of form, with Penistone Church unbeaten in eight and Rainworth MWFC only one defeat in eleven.

A goal for either side in the opening eight minutes promised a possible ‘goal fest’ but there was to be only one more, scored by Penistone in the 81st minute in a game that was end-to-end.

Penistone got off to the perfect start when in the first minute Rainworth failed to clear an innocuous free-kick and Jordan Corduri’s low shot, from the edge of the area, beat an unsighted Ben Townsend for the opener.

Rainworth soon threatened the Penistone goal and when Matt Sykes’s cross beat everyone, Tomas Poole returned the ball into Ross Goodwin’s path, but his effort was well wide.

Three minutes later Goodwin made no mistake when he rose above everyone to head the corner into the net for the equaliser.

The game continued at a fast pace as both sides threatened, Townsend pulled off an excellent point-blank save from Andy Ring, whilst at the other end Kyle Jordan’s deflected shot was inches wide.

In the 32nd minute Tom Brennen looped his header over when well placed and Jordan’s shot on the turn was once again inches wide.

Townsend had to be alert in the 38th when he took the ball off Nathan Keightley’s toes, as he raced after a through ball.

At the half-time the 1-1 scoreline reflected a game in which both sides had put together some excellent build-up play without either being able to produce that final scoring touch.

The second half continued as the first ended with both sides creating chances without either threatening their opponents goal.

Rainworth’s lack of game-time in December appeared to be having an effect, as they visibly tired. They made a couple of substitutions bringing on Alex Nightingale for Sykes and Charlie Dawes for Poole.

It was Penistone however who started to get the upper hand and Rainworth had Townsend to thank when he blocked Keightley’s goal-bound shot.
Debutant Richard Adam’s did well to block a dangerous Penistone cross at the expense of a corner.

The relief was short-lived when Ring’s cross found Kieran Ryan at the far post for a simple tap-in.

Rainworth came close when Rob Ludlam’s effort, just before the final whistle, went just over the crossbar.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Ludlam; Waddle; Booth; Adams; Wilson; Poole (Dawes); Goodwin; Modest; Jordan; Sykes (Nightingale).
Subs (not used): Jones; Knowles; Bennett

Referee: Mr Neil Guest

Attendance: 79