Walker heads Rec to win over Church

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division

Athersley Rec 1-0 Penistone Church

Athersley celebrate Luke Walker’s winner. Picture: thesaturdayboy.co.uk

Luke Walker got the winner as Athersley Rec came up with a performance to remember to defeat local rivals and free-scoring Penistone Church to get their season up and running.

After the Emirates FA Cup loss last Saturday and the league defeat to Harrogate Railway on Wednesday, the Rec were determined to get things right.

To stop a Church who had scored ten goals in two games is certainly a step in the right direction.

There were solid performances across the park, with skipper Ryan White leading the Penguins to their first three points with a show of grit and determination.

Walker got his second in two games with a header on 40 minutes and the Rec refused to lie down.

Austin Macintosh, Dane Hodgson and White shut the door in the middle of the park with Walker and Jack Briscoe, and his replacement Jacob Hawke, doing the business out wide.

Tom Copping and birthday boy Dec Welford held the middle at the back very well with Conner White and Jason Paling stopping the threat from out wide.

Lee Garside was instrumental up top with his experience. Goalkeeper Jordan Greaves used his head well to keep a clean sheet and slow down the game when needed.

It certainly bodes well for Athersley, who host Barton Town on Wednesday.