Hemsworth-Penistone abandoned after crowd fracas

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division 

Hemsworth Miners Welfare A-A Penistone Church

Struggling Hemsworth Miners Welfare were denied a precious second consecutive league victory after the clash with Penistone Church was abandoned after a small fracas on the terraces in the 71st minute.

The Wells were leading 3-1 when tempers boiled over after Hemsworth’s Kane Swinburn and Penistone’s Kieran Ryan were sent off following off on-field altercation.

That particular exchange was all over but as he was walking into the changing rooms Ryan is believed to have been set upon by a lone ranger spectator.

Several people, including Penistone players who vaulted the barrier, became involved to try to calm the situation.

Although a terrible advert for the Non League game and a terrifying incident for anyone near it, especially children, to Hemsworth’s credit, their officials dealt with the culprit and the disturbance was all over within two minutes.

However, instead of taking the teams for a 20-minute break to allow tensions to further simmer, referee Matthew Langdon wasted no time and immediately called an early finish.

The brief period of chaos was absolutely nowhere near the levels of this season’s infamous Macclesfield-Congleton incident, a game that actually finished.

Tensions totally subsided to the point where the match officials and both sets of players and management teams mingled in the bar for an hour afterwards.

But the repercussions could be severe for Hemsworth, given an NCEL game abandoned for crowd trouble is unprecedented.

The league could go as far as a points deduction.

With how poor their league form has been this season, that is the last thing they need.

The green shoots of recovery were reaching the surface against Penistone.

The Wells had been solid for most of the 71 minutes.

The first half was tight but Shane Kelsey’s Hemsworth had enjoyed the better chances and had duly taken the lead.

The opener came close to half-time – Layton Swaine turning in from close range from Swinburn’s cross.

Penistone’s best period was ten minutes into the second half. 

Wells goalkeeper Dan Morton was having the game of life having saved spectacularly saved Luke Stewart whilst also doing well to hold left-back James Young’s pile-driver 60 seconds later.

Eventually the pressure told as Elliott Firth found himself through on goal and he lobbed Morton to score from just inside the penalty area.

In previous games Hemsworth would have folded and lost.

Their response was absolutely brilliant. 

Had the game finished, Jay Davis would have further staked a claim for the goal of the season as out of nowhere he sent a rocket into Chris Snaith’s right-hand top corner from about 32 yards.

Ruthlessness has not been associated with the Wells so far this season but they were on this occasion as Swaine then seemingly put the game beyond Church.

However, all the effort and hard work went to waste for Hemsworth several minutes later.

The Teams 

Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Morton, Dawson, Wilson, Shepherd, Higgins, Viggars (captain), Hebda, Tingle, Swaine, Davis, Swinburn. Subs: Jackson, Kenyon, Walker, Tonks, Taylor.

Penistone Church: Snaith, Charlesworth, Young, Firth, Brennan, Lovell, Howes (captain), Coduri, Stewart, Hughes, Keightley. Subs: Kemp, Ellis, Ryan, High, Newsome.

Who Was In Charge 

Matt Langdon 

How Many Were There 

Unknown 

Man of the Match 

Dan Morton (Hemsworth Miners Welfare)