PENISTONE Church won 7-2 at home to Frickley Athletic in Stephen Lenthall’s last game as manager.

That meant they finished eighth in the NCEL Premier with 56 points, 11 off the play-off places.

The scorers were Wayne Hughes, Thomas Brennan, Mackenzie Stocks, Ryan Johnson, Kieran Ryan, twice, and Samuel Scrivens.

Lenthall has been at the club in various roles for more than 20 years, leading the reserves to success before taking over the first team in 2021.

Brett Lovell and John Whitehead will take over from next season.

It was also the final game of long-serving player Ryan Johnson.

Lenthall said: “It was an emotional day for myself and my family so to see so many people here today giving the support that they have means the world.

“I just wasn’t to thank everybody but more importantly I just want to thank Jubby and Brett - they’ve brought me on as a person, as a manager, as a coach and I hope they succeed and do really well.

“We said that we’d go out and put a performance in for the fans, we knew that it would be a decent crowd, we wanted to make sure we did it right for them and finish the season on a high.

“What we have tried to say all season was that if we put balls in the box, if we’re brave enough we’ll score goals and it proved it.

“In the second half it was about making the substitutions and making sure that it was right for Johnno. He was replaced by skipper Danny Howes just after the hour in an emotional substitution and he got a standing ovation.

“It was a great day, a great win, a great crowd, as always we had first class support and we finished this season with a 7-2 win and I’m really chuffed.

“It’s the end of the season now and I’m sure Jubby and Brett will rebuild and make sure the lads are right for pre-season.”