The Colls FA Cup run came to an end at The Shay, as Ponte fell to a second half goal which was enough to settle the tie. Craig Rouse and his men put in another valiant effort in defeat, but were unable to grab a late equaliser despite pushing the National League side to the last kick.
A crowd of 1,713 were in attendance, with 526 Pontefract Collieries fans making the journey. A club record away following filled the away end, singing their hearts out from the first minute to the last.
On the bigger pitch at Halifax, many expected FC Halifax to have a much easier night of things than the reverse fixture. The early exchanges looked as though that could have been the case, they had a lot of the early possession pinning Pontefract into their half.
Ryan Musselwhite claimed the Man of the Match award from the home tie, he was in similar form on the night thwarting multiple early chances for the hosts. Ponte had their first chance of the half when Vaughan Redford found Scott Smith out wide, he whipped a cross in which the ‘keeper fumbled but new signing Luke Hinsley (who made his first start for Ponte) couldn’t keep his shot down.
Musselwhite was again the final stumbling block for the hosts as he made three great saves when being the final line of defence for Ponte. Each were met by rapturous applause from the away end.
After a sustained spell of defending, Ponte had their second chance of the half. A loose pass allowed Ben Gordon to nip in and fired towards goal, the shot was deflected into the path of Hinsley who acrobatically missed the target.
Despite the home side’s pressure Ponte were able to stand firm. They were beginning to tire towards the end of the half, but Musselwhite made one final save to keep his side level at the break. 135 minutes without conceding against the side three leagues above them.
Ponte came out in the second half with a little more confidence that they could snatch something from the game on the counter. Jack Greenhough and his long throw ins, again causing issues for the Halifax defenders.
It was the home side who blinked first and Pete Wild made two substitutes to turn the tie in their favour, bringing on National League top scorer Billy Waters. Before Eli Hey came on for Luke Hinsley for The Colls.
Ponte had a great chance to worry the National League outfit, a wayward pass found a Ponte foot and found Vaughan Redford on the half way line with men in support. It was a three against one with Rothery and Hey in support, but with tired legs he was unable to pick the right pass.
They were made to pay as second half substitute Jack Vale scored the first goal of the tie. a smart break saw Vale in space in the box and this time he was able to slide the ball passed Musselwhite.
Despite conceding the Ponte fans continued to get behind their team and this clearly helped the men on the pitch. They weren’t about to give in and pushed more bodies forward, in search of an equaliser.
After a spell of possession in the attack third, Ponte won a free kick that was played short to Greenhough. He whipped in a cross from the right which found Redford in the box, he leapt well but was unable to guide his header passed the Halifax stopper.
Jack Greenhough was again involved in a Colls move, Spencer Clarke found him with a great diagonal ball but the Ponte skipper couldn’t keep keep control and the danger had gone. One final chance fell the way of Gavin Rothery, a long throw in bounced his way but his attempted header drifted wide.
A colossal effort from the Collieries, but at the final whistle it was FC Halifax Town who ended victorious. The players and management were met by the full away end on their feet, applauding their efforts.
FC Halifax Town Team;
Pontefract Collieries Team;
