The Sheffield Academicals put in a solid performance to beat title rivals Penistone in a hard fought and closely contested game at Warminster road.
Goals in either half were enough to see off the away side and it was no less than the Accies deserved following a gritty performance and great spirt against the well drilled Penistone.
The away team had the better possession in the early exchanges as they got the ball down and tried to play football; it took a phenomenally well timed sliding tackle from Batts to prevent a shot on goal when the Penistone forward was incorrectly judged onside and was bearing down on Godwins goal; Batts receiving a kick to the head for his trouble. A good ball in from the left moments later was headed back across goal by their giant forward but the Accies defence stood strong.
The Accies gradually began to get a foothold in the game as Dan wriggled free on the left side of the box and dinked a ball over to the far post which was narrowly cleared off Swifty’s head. On the next attack Dan again beat his man and this time cut back for Swifty but his touch was closed down and the shot was half blocked. Tommy then got free after a lovely sweeping move involving Si, Ben, Dan and Jamie and his superb ball in was cleared by a panicky looking Penistone rear guard. The defence were really on top and confidently bringing the midfield and forward players into the game. Ben was released by Jamie but his well struck shot was wide of the post as the home team started asking big questions of Penistones credentials. Swifty was in again as he out-muscled the defence but the excellent away keeper smothered his shot with a goal preventing save. A free kick on the left nearly opened the scoring as Si arrived at the back post only for his header to go narrowly over.
The scoring was opened though as another flowing move down the left resulted in Stan winning a corner; Dan swept it right into the far top corner to give the Accies a deserved lead after half an hour. As the half came to a close the Accies had another great chance as a move down the right saw Tommy put in another excellent ball which Dan just couldn’t get his head round to lay it back across goal.
Half time Accies 1 – 0 Penistone
It was business as usual in the second half as the Accies picked up exactly where they left off. The tempo was still high and as Penistone pressed forward in search of the equaliser the gaps started appearing in their defence. It took some well organised defending by the Accies back four to keep them out though and the Accies defended well right from the front to deny the away team time and space. Godwin had to be alert as he pulled off a point blank save from a far post volley although I think the forward new less about his connection than Godders did the save! Stan, Batts, Fozzy and Bully were holding a solid line and dealing with their awkward forward players and endless diagonal balls in extremely well.
The Accies looked dangerous on the counter though. Batts won a ball at the second attempt and fed Si who knocked it on for Ben who took one touch and released Dan with a sublime pass into the left channel. Dan travelled into the box then squared it for Swifty to sweep home despite a bobble to make it 2-0 and crush Penistones spirit. An excellent team goal and well deserved. There could have been more though as the away team tired and began neglecting their defensive duties. Tommy broke free but his through ball was well intercepted, Hodgy took down a left wing cross really well but got harried out at the last second and Swifty produced yet another fine save from the keeper who looked to have been beaten by the shot but got a paw to it at the last second. Another corner came in that flashed across the face of goal with the net gaping at anyone who had gambled. There was a last scare as a long ball bounced awkwardly and the Penistone sub should really have hit the target but it bobbled wide and the Accies recorded a priceless win.
Full time Accies 2 - 0 Penistone
