Penistone Church 0 - 3 North Ferriby: Church Lose heavily to North Ferriby

Ferriby dominated long sections of the match & deservedly won

Words By Martin Webb

PCFC 0  North Ferriby 3

Attendance 411

With only 5 matches left Church were chasing a top 5 finish. However, their squad had been affected by 6 recent injuries. Table topping North Ferriby had only lost 3 of their 15 away matches this season. They beat Church 3-0 earlier in the season in the reverse fixture. 

A beautiful warm spring afternoon with the odd shower welcomed the teams onto the pitch. Church captain Danny Howes returned to his midfield role following his injury at Albion Sports three weeks' earlier. Wayne Hughes and Nathan Keightley also returned following their hamstring strains.  

Church won the ball back from the kick off but both teams gave the ball away as they jockeyed for possession. 

Goal 8 minutes. A prodigious throw from Joshua Dennett near the half way line found Danny East unmarked 20 yards out. His flicked header over the on rushing Chris Snaith found the middle of the net. 

PCFC 0 North Ferriby 1

Church responded with the right attitude, but for the first 20 minutes found it hard to keep the ball and string many passes together.  

Church found space after 25 minutes but Jordan Coduri's partly blocked 20 yard shot was easily collected by the keeper. Church then had a couple of forays forward but Ferriby defended them well.

After 28 minutes Nathan Keightley went down with a repeat of his hamstring injury and was replaced by Reece High. 

Goal 33 minutes. Amir Berchil received the ball on the right edge of the Church box. He twisted and turned beating 3 defenders. His lifted 14 yard shot found the top left corner of the net. 

PCFC 0 North Ferriby 2

Church opened up and attacked in numbers, but Ferriby marshalled them into the corners. Church were then outmaneuvered in defence a couple of times. 

In added time Church were awarded a free kick and the height of Wayne Hughes and Antony Brown caused some anxiety for the Ferriby defence.  They cleared and went straight into the Church box, Ben Matthews saved the day with a great tackle 

Half time PCFC 0 North Ferriby 2

Church kicked off and immediately looked more aggressive in attack. After a couple of minutes they won a corner. Church swarmed around Ferriby when they were in possession and snuffed out the space. 

After 52 minutes Chris Snaith went to tip a low pass around the post. A Ferriby player fell under the contact and the referee awarded a penalty. Danny East stepped up and fired the penalty 3 yards over the Church bar. 

Ferriby again found space and Danny East's cross to Danny Earl was headed wide at the far post from 6 yards with the goal gaping.

Church worked hard and defended well,  but they did not have any luck. The ball refused to run for them and now it was Ferriby who were swarming around the ball and breaking fast from defence. 

After 73 minutes Ben Matthews was replaced by Joshua Brown.  

Goal 76 minutes.  Ferriby then converted their pressure into a goal as a looped ball beat the Church left back, Amir Berchil lobbed the ball over Snaith into the empty net.

PCFC 0 Ferriby 3

With 13 minutes left Danny East was sin binned for foul language.  Church started to find space. 

After 81 minutes Antony Brown was sent off for Church after he raised his elbow into a defender's face. 

After 84 minutes Danny Howes was replaced by Charlie Shepherd in a straight midfield swap. 

The match ended with Danny East back on the pitch and Ferriby saw out the rest of the game. 

Full Time PCFC 0 Ferriby 3

Church were frustrated by the quality of Ferriby's touch and movement, but were beaten by the better side. Ferriby could have scored a couple more goals on another day, but deserved their convincing away victory.