TWO CLUBS about five miles apart with ambitions of being among the highest-placed ever Barnsley teams will face each other on Saturday.
Dearne and District, based in Goldthorpe, host near neighbours Wombwell Town from 3pm in Northern Counties East Division One.
Dearne, who are in their first NCEL season, and Town, in their second, are both unbeaten in the opening weeks.
They have both previously stated that they want to go several leagues higher.
Dearne’s manager Jason Blunt left last week and his former assistant Nick Buxton is overseeing the team currently.
Dearne not only face Wombwell on Saturday but they then visit Worsbrough Bridge on Wednesday in another Barnsley derby. Buxton said: “We are hoping for a crowd or 700 or 800 on Saturday. Wombwell bring a lot of fans and it’s only down the road. It would be great to have a massive crowd for a big game. Wombwell have had a really good start and look to be one of the best teams in the league.
“We got a magnificent result on Saturday, and it is massive to get some momentum at the start of the season.
“We want to carry it on.
“Then we play Worsbrough which is another local derby. Three or four points would be fantastic.”
Town boss Karl Rose added: “It’s five minutes up the road so it adds extra spice. A lot of the fans and players know each other. Some of our junior players have siblings playing for Dearne.
“It will be 90 minutes going at it hammer and tong then we’ll have a drink together.
“Dearne have followed our path.
“They have got their ground sorted, built from the bottom up and they are on a similar trajectory. It is good for the community and youth teams. They are doing a fantastic job. They won a tough league last season so they are used to winning games which breeds momentum and confidence. They have started well and will fancy themselves at home against us.
“It will be tough. We’ve had a dream start with three wins in three tough games and we want to carry that on.
“It’s an opportunity to put a bit of distance between us and the pack early doors and give ourselves a buffer further down the line.”
Dearne won 2-1 at Wakefield AFC on Saturday, moving onto seven points from three games. Bayley Lowe and Oliver Yates scored.
Town made it three wins from three games this season when they beat Club Thorne Colliery 2-1 on Saturday at home. The visitors netted in the fourth minute but Jordan Kershaw levelled then Owen Sykes won it.
After the game at Dearne, Wombwell Town are due to visit Yorkshire Amateur in the League Cup on Tuesday.
Worsbrough won 4-3 on penalties at Appleby Frodingham in the League Cup on Tuesday. Kane Swinburn scored. Bridge visit Thorne on Saturday.
Athersley Rec continued their impressive start to the season with a 3-0 win over Appleby Frodingham.
Nathan Perks, Alfie Bakes and James Woodhouse scored for Rec who have seven points from three games.
Athersley were then beaten 8-0 home to Brigg Town in the League Cup on Tuesday. Rec are due to visit Armthorpe on Saturday in the league.
Penistone Church lost 2-1 at home to Charnock Richard in the FA Cup on Saturday. Church took the lead through Nathan Keightley but were beaten.
Penistone won 1-0 over Goole in the Premier Division on Wednesday.
Sam Scrivens netted midway through the second half.
They are now due to visit Knaresborough Town on Saturday then host Winterton Rangers on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the County Senior League Cup started on Wednesday.
Barnsley Town beat Youdan 9-0.
North Gawber lost 3-0 at Bentley Village. Wombwell Main won 6-0 at home to Dronfield. New team Elsecar Main lost 13-0 at Hemsworth MW.
Next Wednesday, Silkstone United host Penistone Church reserves and Dodworth MW visit Swinton Athletic.
Royston visit Athersley reserves.
