The Colls beat Pickering in the week and came into this game with confidence and looking to progress to the next round of the FA Cup. Last year Ponte beat Hebburn Town at this stage, this year saw a visit to Goole on a short journey down the M62.
The Collieries got off to a bright start and had their hosts penned in their half from the off. Eli Hey, who held the ball up well most of the afternoon, found Scott Smith and he in turn layed off to Redford who shot wide. This was a sign of things to come.
Ponte were interchanging well in the midfield and were finding their forwards easily. However the end ball was over hit on a number of occasions, prevently clear chances. Scott Brown missed a good chance from a Greenhough delivery when he should have been testing the target.
Moments later we took the lead, Scott Smith continued his bright start to the season. He turned his marker inside out before crossing to Eli Hey, he then fired across goal when Redford pounced to poke home.
The Colls pushed for a second, having a number of chances including a Vaughan Redford effort cleared off the line. This was before Derry Robson fired over against one of his former clubs.
As half time approached both sides had a chance to add to the scoreboard. First Eli Hey had a smart turn and volleyed saved by the home ‘keeper. The resulting corner was met by Jack Greenhough who headed over. Right on half time Goole had their best chance of the half. Their big number nine strided clear, but Callum Brook and Spencer Clarke did well to get goalside but the forward laid off to his wide man who could not get his shot away.
At the break Ponte were well worth their advantage and could argue it should have been more.
The second half was one of little chances for both sides really, with the game becoming more scrappy.
Ponte’s first chance came through Spencer Clarke, Jack Greenhough’s long throw was met by his Vice Captain but he couldnt glance his header on target.
With 15 minutes to go the crowd of 237 thought the hosts had grabbed a leveller. Up one end, Mikey Dunn was harshly accused of handball. Then Goole broke away down the right handside, their wide man reached the byline and cut a great ball across the face. The cross was well met but the front man couldn’t convert from six yards out.
Spencer Clarke had another opportunity to open his account for the season, with another good delivery from Greenhough on the stretch he just couldnt generate powert to turn the ball towards goal. Spencer again met another Greenhough cross in added time, this time this required a smart save from the ‘keeper.
With what was like the last seconds of the game Scott Smith teared clear, only to be sythed down by the on rushing Goole stopper. He saw red for the challenge which would have left Smith with a clear chance of scoring. The Collieries did what was required and held on for the win, to put us into the hat for the next round of the FA Cup.
The next tie will take place on the weekend of the 4th/5th Septmber.
Goole AFC Team – Zainewski, Walker, Arnold, Spence, Pattinson, Dacre, McKeown, Heselwood, Parker, Dickinson and Henderson. Subs; Fish, Fella, Simpkins, Grenier and Pearse.
Pontefract Collieries Team – Jake Greatorex, Jack Greenhough, Fabian Bailey, Callum Brook, Spencer Clarke, Jack Vann, Scott Brown, Derry Robson, Vaughan Redford, Scott Smith and Eli Hey. Subs; Ryan Musselwhite, Jimmy Williams, Ben Gordon, Dylan Collington, Mikey Dunn and Noah Stokes.