Teversal are gone with the wind in goalless stalemate

A strong wind played its part in spoiling a scrappy, goalless second game of the season for Teversal in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League's First Division.
DESPERATE DEFENDING -- lots of bodies in the box in goalmouth action during the draw between Teversal and Penistone Church.DESPERATE DEFENDING -- lots of bodies in the box in goalmouth action during the draw between Teversal and Penistone Church.
DESPERATE DEFENDING -- lots of bodies in the box in goalmouth action during the draw between Teversal and Penistone Church.

Both Teversal and Sheffield visitors Penistone Church tried to play passing football, and the match was far from boring, with the possession and tempo on show a pleasure to watch.

But ultimately both were frustrated by a stalemate, with the only consolation for the home side being that the fair scoreline produced their first point of the new campaign after defeat in their opener at home to Eccleshill United two weeks earlier.

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It took until the 16th minute for the first opening effort, but Teversal were the creators when Danny Fletcher crossed from the right to the far post, where Brad Cox’s looping header beat goalkeeper Andy Rhodes, only to hit the bar.

With the game ebbing and throwing from end to end, the match became one of possession, rather than goalmouth action, and both sides were holding their own.

On the half-hour mark, Penistone had a golden opportunity when Ash Ellis picked up a stray pass and eluded Luke Weaver’s challenge before being denied by an alert Dale Sheppard, who rushed off his line to spread himself and make an excellent block.

Five minutes later, Penistone again tested Sheppard -- this time from a dubious free-kick awarded on the edge of the 18-yard box which Danny Joynes struck firecely, forcing the Tevie ‘keeper to go full length to save.

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It was soon Teversal’s turn to go close again, however, as just before the break, skipper Khyle Sargent whipped in a corner that found Weaver’s timely run, but the defender failed to get enough on it to threaten the Penistone goal and the scores remained level at the turnaround.

The pattern of the first period continued in the second half, although the visitors, with the wind behind them, probably had more of the ball this time.

Teversal relived on the two Lukes, Weaver and Fisher, who were superb in keeping Penistone out of harm’s way. That was until the 76th minute when substitute Andy Ring headed on to Joynes, whose lifted effort was superbly saved again by Sheppard.

Penistone, who had won both of their opening league games, including a victory against pre-season promotion favourites AFC Emley 1-0 in midweek, began to sense that they could make it three from three and surged forward in the last 10 minutes, creating danger from two corners. First, Tom Cadzow headed over and then another John Whitehead flagkick found sub Brett Lovell, whose header was scrambled clear.

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After a midweek trip to Emley, Teversal are also on their travels this Saturday when they go to Wakefield to take on Nostell Miners Welfare, who have won one, drawn one and lost one of their opening three league fixtures.

Nostell lost 2-1 at home to Penistone on the opening day of the season, but recovered to win 2-1 at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic and then draw 2-2 thanks to a couple of late goals at home to Glasshoughton Welfare. They were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Maine Road, losing 3-2 in a replay after the initial match ended 3-3.

TEVERSAL LINE-UP -- Dale Sheppard, Gavin Short, Jamie Goodacre (Liam Widdowson 67), Luke Fisher, Luke Weaver, Jason Gregory, Khyle Sargent, Brad Cox (Dean Short 78), Danny Fletcher (Luke Bacon 50), Lewis Weaver, Sean Dickinson. SUBS NOT USED; Josh Turton, Craig Charlesworth.