Ponte travelled to local rivals Garforth Town in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup, which saw them come away with a 1-0 win in a hard fought and feisty affair.
Ponte had several players missing including two of their new strikers Gavin Allott, Adam Priestley and injured defenders Jack Greenough and Jack Shepherd.
Early on Ponte were controlling the game Baxendale, Dunn and Rothery were causing the home side’s defence lots of problems and created good chances that saw Turner and Williams force the home keeper into good saves. Rothery was brought down for what looked a clear penalty, but the ref waved it away.
At the other end Allinson in goal was a spectator for most of the half, but he swept up any Garforth long balls over the top.
Just after the half hour Dunn released Lumsden with a delightful ball which the prolific striker latched onto, he slide the ball passed the home ‘keeper but was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post and bounce to safety.
The sides went in level at the break with a big second half to come.
The home side started the second half well and were on the front foot, twice coming close. At the other end Dunn was causing problems with his tricky close control, he won a free kick before firing narrowly over.
On the hour mark Colls keeper Allinson made a truly unbelievable stop to keep the scores level, getting back across the goal to somehow tip it onto the bar and gathering the rebound. Allinson has become a Colls favourite and the save was greeted with his “Ginger Neuer” chant.
With 20 mins to go Dunn was released down the wing and the home keeper came racing out but the Colls pacey forward got their first and the Garforth stopper clipped him to concede the penalty, Garforth felt hard done by and the resulting penalty took a few minutes to take. But Rothery had ice in his veins and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to give the Colls the lead.
Garforth pushed for a leveller but Allinson made another couple of cracking saves, combined with outstanding defending from Clarke and Picton to make sure the Colls booked their place in the next round and a trip to Stockton on the 20th of August.
Next up is our league opener at home to Grimsby Borough, make sure to be there and let’s get the place rocking!
Match Report written by Gareth Athorn.