It has been a while since we featured our local clubs so let’s take a glance at how our non-league contingency are faring.
We’ll start with Penistone Church, who broke their record attendance earlier this month as 825 supporters witnessed their 3-1 victory over Emely FC.
Church have hit a decent run of form and are currently fifth in the NCEL Premier Division following a 5-1 win at home against Albion Sports where, incidentally, former Reds academy player Jaydan Sandhu netted a late consolation for the visitors.
Unfortunately, both Athersley Rec and Hemsworth Miners Welfare make up the relegation zone in that division.
Rec, without a win since 23 October, prop up the table and fell to a 2-0 defeat on their last outing at Handsworth, while Hemsworth were able to salvage a draw against Silsden AFC on New Year’s Day to pick up their first point since mid-November.
Dropping down a rung in the pyramid, and Worsbrough Bridge Athletic have hit a patch of indifferent form that has seen them slip to eighth in the NCEL Division One.
They ended 2021 with consecutive 4-0 defeats, before starting 2022 with a 2-1 victory at Parkgate where Conor Glavin (you might recognise the name) was on target. However, Bridge succumbed to a 3-1 loss at home to Dronfield Town last Saturday.
Heading to the Northern Premier League – East League, now, and another team out of form is Frickley Athletic, who have lost five games on the spin. They have a chance to put that right this weekend as they travel to fellow strugglers Pickering Town.
Into the Vanarama National League, where FC Halifax Town are absolutely flying and currently sit top of the table after recording back-to-back home wins against Eastleigh and Grimsby Town.
Pete Wild’s side are unbeaten since the start of December – an Emirates FA Cup second round exit at the hands of giant killers Kidderminster Harriers – and welcome another fourth round side Boreham Wood to the Shay on Tuesday 25 January.
Aiming to reach the Football League for the first time since being founded in 2008, the Shaymen are four points clear at the summit, although those below do have games in hand.
Finally, we end our round-up with Guiseley AFC, who are battling against relegation from the National League North. They have a distraction from their league troubles this weekend as they face Stourbridge in the FA Trophy fourth round.
Guiseley are next at home on 25 January when they host Alfreton Town, who have former Barnsley academy defender Adam Lund amongst their ranks.
