PENISTONE Church could be playing alongside neighbours AFC Emley the Northern Counties East League First Division next season.

They are considering an appeal against the promotion of Barnsley side Shaw Lane Aquaforce, who were runaway champions of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League.

Penistone finished third, three points behind second-placed Millmoor Juniors and 12 behind Shaw Lane.

NCEL officials have included both Shaw Lane and Penistone Church in the draw for next season’s League Cup “due to a possible appeal by Penistone Church against the FA’s recommendation that Shaw Lane Aquaforce are the side promoted”.

Church were formed in 1906 from the amalgamation of two local sides and three years later were the first winners of the Sheffield FA Junior Cup.

They were founder members of the County Senior League in 1990 and won the First Division in 1994 and 2001. They won the League Cup last year.

Emley will be at home to either Teversal or Dinnington Town in the first round of the NCEL League Cup.

Should they reach round two, the Huddersfield side will be at home to Retford United.

Emley have confirmed seven pre-season friendlies, with the game against Town’s development team switched to Friday, July 26 from the original date of Tuesday 16.

First up for Darren Hepworth’s side is a trip to Kinsley Boys on Tuesday, July 2, the first warm-up game for any side from the NCEL.

A week later, July 9, it’s a visit to Sheffield to face Handsworth, like Kinsley, of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League, while Thursday 11 brings a visit to Glossop North End, of the North West Counties League.

Emley entertain a West Riding Select XI on Monday, July 19, then host NCEL Premier side Brighouse Town on Friday, August 2.

On Tuesday, August 6, Emley take on Northern Premier League Ossett Town at the Welfare Ground.

All seven games kick-off at 7.15.

Preliminary round: Appleby Frodingham v Hemsworth Miners Welfare, Cleethorpes Town v Hallam, Pontefract Collieries v Shirebrook Town, Rossington Main v Louth Town, Selby Town v Clipstone, Teversal v Dinnington Town.

First round: AFC Emley v Teversal/Dinnington, Appleby Frodingham/Hemsworth v Grimsby Borough, Bottesford Town v Hall Road Rangers, Dronfield Town v Shaw Lane Aquaforce/Penistone Church, Eccleshill United v Cleethorpes Town/Hallam, Rossington Main/Louth Town v Knaresborough Town, Pontefract Collieries/Shirebrook Town v Worsborough Bridge Athletic, Yorkshire Amateur v Selby Town/Clipstone.

Second round: AFC Emley/Teversal/Dinnington v Retford United, Albion Sports v Eccleshill/Cleethorpes/Hallam, Appleby Frodingham/Hemsworth/Grimsby Borough v Rossington Main/Louth/Knaresborough, Armthorpe v Thackley, Basford United v Brighouse Town, Bridlington Town v Athersley Recreation, Garforth Town v Bottesford/Hall Road, Glasshoughton Welfare v Tadcaster Albion, Hucknall Town v Long Eaton United, Liversedge v Dronfield/Shaw Lane Aquaforce/Penistone Church, Lincoln Moorlands Railway v Winterton Rangers, Nostell Miners Welfare v Staveley Miners Welfare, Parkgate v Heanor Town, Pickering Town v Pontefract Collieries/Shirebrook/Worsbrough Bridge, Worksop Parramore v Barton Town Old Boys, Yorkshire Amateur/Selby/Clipstone v Maltby Main.