Penistone Church 1 - 2 Handsworth: Church Lose narrowly 1-2 to Handsworth

Church missed several early chances to loose this entertaining match

Words By Martin Webb

Attendance 362

A cool afternoon at The DSM Memorial Ground saw Church host Handsworth who were only 1 point behind at the start of the game. Church had been on a good run of form winning 9 matches out of 10. However, Handsworth had already beaten Church twice this season, once in the Senior cup and once in the league.

Church kicked off into the setting sun. Handsworth weathered the early Church onslaught.

Goal 5 minutes.  Handsworth worked the ball down the right. A long range shot was not cleared and the looped cross back in escaped the grasp of Chris Snaith. Leon Howarth converted with a neat volley on the turn.

PCFC 0 Handsworth 1

Goal 7 minutes. Church responded immediately with a wonderful passing move. Nathan Keightley's cross from the right  was met neatly on the 6 yard line by Elliot Firth. He is first time shot beat the keeper low to the left of goal.

PCFC 1 Handsworth 1

Handsworth then put Church under pressure with a spell of crosses from the edge of the box.

After 24 minutes Church created havoc in the Handsworth defence with some lovely football through the middle and a scooped cross was cleared off the line.

The match flowed from end to end with Church threatening with a dangerous free kick and a series of breaks down both flanks and short passing moves through the middle.

Handsworth worked hard and created their own opportunities at the other end.

Church opened up the Handsworth defence with a low cross 2 minutes from half time, but the on-rushing Bradley Kemp could not convert. Jordan Coduri weaved and teased his way into the box. His low shot was only saved by the keeper at full stretch low to the right of goal.

An entertaining first half ended with Church under pressure.

Half time PCFC 1 Handsworth 1

Church looked dangerous from the restart and a Jordan Coduri shot went narrowly wide. Immediately after Nathan Keightley had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Handsworth prospered down the right, but the early first time shot looped over the bar.

A Church corner from the right was not cleared and Kieran Ryan's shot on the turn clipped the bar.

Handsworth sprayed cross-field passes that stretched the Church defence. Their finishing let them down a couple of times.

After 75 minutes Bradley Kemp was replaced by Reece High and Danny Howes replaced Elliot Firth.

Church conceded a free kick on the halfway line, they cleared the ball and broke quickly but the weak shot was easily saved. Handsworth went straight down the other end and created a good opening.

With 5 minutes left Kieran Ryan was replaced by Wayne Hughes. Ashley Ellis was booked for a second time and as he departed the two teams set themselves for the last few minutes.

Nathan Keightley took a great ball from defence rounded the keeper but Handsworth had 3 players on the line to block the attempt.

In the 5 minutes of added time Handsworth hit the right post with a header and then were awarded a further free kick. The players exchanged pleasantries on the edge of the box.

Goal 90 minutes. A powerful, low, 20 yard free kick from Leon Howarth went through the Church wall to the right of goal and Chris Snaith was unable to save.

Full time PCFC 1 Handsworth 2

This was Church’s first defeat in 6 and they will rue their missed first half chances. Handsworth were rewarded for their quality play and persistence to take the match to the last second. They beat Church by the odd goal for the third time this season.