Athersley Recreation 1 - 3 Dronfield Town: Rec dealt defeat by Dronfield's set-pieces

Bailey Wright scored Rec’s only goal in an end-to-end game, Dronfield gaining the advantage through three set-pieces as the Penguins were beaten 3-1.

Words By Ben Swain

Charlie Stewart hooked in before Rec could clear, to open the scoring at Sheerien Park. Max Rhodes then finished from on top of the goal line after a flick-on from another set-piece, Samuel Bebbington continuing the trend with a headed finish to earn all three points in the NCEL Division One.

Wright’s lively start, causing Owen Lester to be sent off before scoring Rec’s consolation, could have been more severe had he put the ball on the correct side of the post on a later occassion with Rec threatening in the closing minutes.

Paul Clarkson made one change from the side who travelled to Brigg Town before the new year, Aaron Turner’s debut in place of James Woodhouse. James Byford, Carter Tingle, Harrison Landon and Nicky Lalousis all returned, on the bench.

Having lasted till added-time before conceding against Brigg, Dronfield’s lead today came within the opening six minutes. Charlie Stewart hooked in the loose ball after Rec failed to clear a corner delivery.

There was a two-on-two scenario repeatedly occuring for Rec’s forwards Sam Thompson and Adam Stubbs. Charlie Auty looked to capitalise in finding Thompson who had space on Rec’s left-hand side but between the front pair they couldn’t capitalise.

Three times in quick succession did Dronfield too go direct, ‘keeper Levi Owen collecting the first one before Perks and Auty head clear the two intents to find the space behind the pair.

Josh Berry won a battle in the centre circle with a quarter of the game played, to come out of the tussle in possession. He chipped the ball into the path of Stubbs to the right of the visitors’ centre-halves. His cross returned possession briefly to Berry with a first-time shot through the box. Alfie Bakes couldn’t get enough of a touch, sliding in, inbetween the shot and the ball running wide.

Thompson continued his success down the left on the half-hour mark, his role ending by turning infield before passing ahead of the run of Stubbs in front of him. His strike partner’s cross was controlled by Luke Micklethwaite at the far post until contact from the defender put the forward down, Rec feeling the force came from behind but the ref decided it was fair.

Micklethwaite had Rec’s clearest chance in first-half added-time, initially receiving a delivery from Thompson again based wide-left. After the control, he has time to look up and pick his spot for the shot which is too close to Lewis Naylor in goal, pushed wide of his near post.

Dronfield’s lead was extended to three within ten second-half minutes.

Max Rhodes scored the first having almost assisted a minute earlier with Dronfield sticking with the direct routine, the forward drilling a delivery across the box which almost gets a touch at the back post.

His goal was similarly received from a ball between either posts, a second consecutive goal conceded following a corner, a header flicked on at the near post for Rhodes to put in from a yard out.

Three minutes later Dronfield led by three, Samuel Bebbington heading inside the post from a cross from left-to-right.

Perks moved up front following Thompson leaving the pitch, replaced by Byford. His hold-up play is evident straight away, Stubbs and Tingle high either side of the centre-forward at the time, suggesting a change of system.

Tingle offered a different outlet deeper and turned his marker through the centre, rotating 180 degrees himself to face Dronfield’s back line. To deal with the threat, Dronfield had narrowed up which gave Durkin so much space on the right and was found by Tingle. The wing-back attacked the far touch line before his cross had to be punched clear by Lewis Naylor.

Perks’ free-kick high on the left found Byford at the near post, only for the ball to roll loose in the box whilst Naylor is trying to get to his feet. To his rescue, Dronfield are first to it to clear.

Bailey Wright’s introduction quickly brought with it a red card and Rec’s consolation goal.

Set-up on the left but clear on the right, he knocked the ball away from Owen Lester who was late with his challenge, stopping Wright advancing. The referee deemed Lester as the last defender, bringing Dronfield to ten men.

The advantage in personnel was utilised within five minutes through Wright on the end of Perks’ cross.

The centre-forward’s presence continued to be felt, by two hands according to Perks as he picked himself up off the ground and claimed for a penalty, calling for a push which again the referee decided against. He’d reached Wright’s cross first but possession transferred hands whilst the forward was on the ground.

Wright almost mirrored his earlier goal through a second, running onto an aerial ball, from Durkin’s delivery this time, the outcome different as the ball was pushed the wrong side of the post.

There was to be no second for Rec, beaten 3-1 in the opening fixture of the 2025.

Tuesday night sees Sheerien Park host one of several rearranged league fixtures, Armthorpe Welfare the visitors.