Dearne & District 2 - 0 Athersley Recreation: Defeat in Dearne

A first-half double decided the NCEL Division One fixture at The Welfare Community Ground on Tuesday evening, Rec beaten 2-0 by Dearne & District.

Words By Ben Swain

Bailey Wright earned a start alongside the returning Nathan Perks in Sam Foulds’ absence. James Woodhouse was the only other change from Saturday’s draw during Selby Town’s visit.

Dearne found success behind Rec’s defence early, all the way to the goalline, whether it was a cross or shot from their left-hand side, headed clear by Woodhouse at the back post. The build-up too went quickly down that side, sending the wide-man chasing.

As quick but in congested space through the middle of Rec, a combination of one-touch passing worked the ball for Dearne to the edge of the box, the shot coming too quickly, however, before the ball had dropped, hit under the ball and over the bar.

Levi Owen was at it again when one-on-one, quickly closing down the space between himself and forward and blocking with his body.

Aaran Turner’s header was crucial for Wright to get free down the left, the former intercepting on the half-way line from Dearne’s clearance, Rec forcing Dearne to clear their lines by the visitors looking direct in the opening twenty minutes. Alfie Bakes was free to collect the previous long-ball previously, his pass looking for the same outlet, misplaced out of play.

It was a familiar ball behind Rec for Dearne’s opener on twenty-six minutes. Justin Circuit was the beneficiary and got to the ball first using his head, nodding over Owen.

Five minutes later, Dearne double their lead. The fast interchanges drew a foul right on the edge of the box. Jamie Austin bent the ball low round the left-hand side of the wall, in off the post.

Firstly Bakes made sure he won his header in the centre of midfield and then Jacob Morton followed suit seconds later, nodding forward into Perks. The striker with his back to goal, had already decided to hook the ball round his left-hand side, ahead of Tingle running goalward. His cross found Wright in the box following a deflection with the wide-man flicking his header wide.

James Byford was sinbinned before the break for his conversation with the referee following a foul.

Back at full strength for the restart, within minutes Woodhouse was down the right and upon reaching the byline, cut back onto his left and crossed into Bakes who’s header reciprocated Wright’s glacing effort from earlier.

Rec were positioned high into Dearne’s half in the opening periods of the second-half, Morton first to a loose ball on the higher end of the centre circle and sending Wright forward down the left but he couldn’t work a way infield.

Billy MacDonald moved the ball back-to-front in one pass, finding Woodhouse in-behind, down the left who had the space to move to goal and is floored upon entering the box but it’s a fair challenge according the ref.

In a much quieter second period, Rec were unable to benefit from their stronger share of territory and transfer it into goals to produce the necessary comeback.

Three days later and Rec return to action, heading to Shelley on Friday night, 15th March in league action.