Penistone Church managed to get their game on against all odds on Saturday then won 3-1 at home to Tadcaster Albion.
While most games in the Barnsley area were postponed following rain on Friday, Church’s pitch passed an inspection on the morning of the NCEL Premier Division match.
A crowd of 307 watched a convincing victory for the hosts, despite having a depleted squad due to injury.
Coach Brett Lovell said: “First of all credit to the groundsman, Carl Roberts and the volunteers. It’s unbelievable, the deluge that we had, and I just want to thank them for preparing the pitch which played absolutely perfectly.
“We’ve managed to get our game on but, with the squad available, we could have easily called this game off and shied away behind the weather
“Old and young had to be part of it – myself being the oldest and the youngest was Sam Hackett, there’s maybe 23 years between us. It’s been great to be able to share a field with him.”
An own goal put them in front then Nathan Keightley doubled the lead before half-time.
Kieran Ryan made it 3-0 then Jordan Machen scored an own goal.
They are now tenth with 21 points from 15 games, three off the play-offs and 13 clear of the relegation zone.
Lovell added: “It was a tough game. Tadcaster are a really good technical side and we are in debt to our goalkeeper Callum Yam for making a couple of good saves.
“He came in from Sheffield United again on emergency loan, he’s been outstanding and he’s the reason why we were able to stay in the game and take the lead.
“It was a fantastic first goal, even though it was an own goal.
“We endured a little bit of pressure after that then, just before half-time, Nathan Keightley did what he does best, he received the ball on the halfway line and drove into the penalty area and scored a goal in the top corner.
“We spoke about defending our lead and we did that excellently second half
“We went 3-0 up due to a mistake by their defender, he put Kieran Ryan one-on-one with the ‘keeper and his finish was first class.
“Tadcaster pushed hard and ultimately got the goal that their play deserved which was unfortunately an own goal from Jordan Machen. We’re not going to blame him for that, he’s worked his socks off to run the full length of the pitch to get back in position to cut the cross out and unluckily its ricocheted in and the game’s finished three-one.
“That’s a really positive result for us under difficult circumstances so we can’t be anything but pleased.
“I’d like to say well done to the younger lads like Owen Kelly and Sam Hackett.
“It was a really good Saturday for the club.”
