The belated first game of 2025 ended in a very-pleasing 3-1 win for Dronfield Town away at Athersley Recreation. Neither side had played a competitive fixture since December 28th but it was the Derbyshire side who looked the hungriest in taking their first victory since early November. Charlie Stewart’s early strike separated the teams at half time before a Max Rhodes brace fired Town into a 3-0 lead. A straight red card for Owen Lester allowed Athersley to get one back through Bailey Wright but the Dronfield rearguard otherwise held firm to secure the three points. Town climb to 18th as a result with Athersley remaining in 11th in the NCEL Division One table as the men from Stonelow welcome 2nd placed Brigg Town to S18 next weekend.
Dronfield gave a full debut to U21 striker Dan Wing and his energy impressed as Town made a busy start. Indeed, it was the Derbyshire outfit who took the lead on 5 minutes.
Athersley failed to clear a Town corner and as the ball fell to Charlie Stewart, he wrapped his foot around it and volleyed it home to give the visitors an early advantage.
The first half was largely a scrappy affair, possibly due in part to a heavy pitch, but it was clear that Dronfield’s work-rate was giving them the upper hand.
That said, a rare Athersley chance on 20 minutes saw Alfie Bakes poke just wide from close range when he should possibly have hit the target.
Several robust challenges saw three Athersley men into the book as the half wore on. A Matty Ord free kick on 28 minutes saw Sam Bebbington head straight at Levi Owen in the Athersley goal after Jimmy Pursell had collected a yellow card.
A late challenge on Ord by Arran Turner saw him next into the book on 37 minutes and two minutes later, Adam Stubbs received the third for his high effort on Sam Bebbington.
A good save from Lewis Naylor on the stroke of half time stopped Luke Micklethwaite levelling for the hosts as Dronfield completed a promising first 45 minutes of 2025.
Athersley introduced Carter Tingle and Harrison Landon for the second half but it was Dronfield, with Matty Ord pulling the strings, who started much the brighter.
Four minutes after the restart, Max Rhodes squared for his strike partner Wing but Rec stopper Levi Owen deflected the ball out for a corner. The resulting set piece saw Charlie Stewart’s goal-bound header being turned home by Max Rhodes to give Dronfield a 2-0 advantage.
Town only had to wait a further three minutes to extend their lead to 3-0. Another corner saw Sam Bebbington rise above the defence to head across goal. Max Rhodes was on hand at close range to finish with his head for his 18th of the season.
Athersley pushed the well-travelled Nathan Perks up front from his defensive role and his dangerous free kick was scrambled clear by a momentarily-flustered Dronfield defence on 71 minutes.
The game took a further turn on 75 minutes. A clear foul by Town’s Owen Lester looked worthy of a yellow card, being akin to some of the challenges that picked up bookings in the first half. However, the referee brandished a straight red to send the influential midfielder from the park and leave Dronfield to negotiate a nervy final spell.
The visitors withdrew Wing and introduced young midfielder Matt Thorpe in a bid to combat going down to ten men but Athersley capitalised almost immediately. A cross from the right flank was met by Rec sub Bailey Wright at the back post and he headed in unchallenged to make it 3-1.
That was as good as it got for the Barnsley-based outfit however as Dronfield managed to repel any pressure to close out a thoroughly-deserved victory.
The win puts Town four points clear of the bottom three and only three points off 14th placed Club Thorne Colliery. A big test awaits them next Saturday however as second-placed Brigg Town come to the HE Barnes Stadium.
Athersley Rec: Owen, Auty, Turner, Perks, Pursell, Bakes, Micklethwaite, Durkin, Thompson, Stubbs, Berry. Subs: Lalousis, Wright, Tingle, Landon, Byford.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Bebbington, Stewart, Lester, Hatton, Riley, Chapell, Lindores, Rhodes, Wing, Ord. Subs: Thorpe J, Flower, Appleyard, Thorpe M, Gladwin.
Attendance: 101
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