Both sides arrived at The Linden Club riding unbeaten runs, with league leaders Cleethorpes eager to notch up another win to extend their lead. However, from the off, it was Pontefract Collieries who made their intentions clear on the counter.
The game burst into life early as Cleethorpes sought to dominate possession at home. Yet, a swift counter attack saw Mikey Dunn and Jack Boyle breaking forward at pace. After some incisive work by Dunn, he found Boyle, whose low drive into the far corner gave Ponte the lead, making it 0-1 in favour of the visitors.
The lead was doubled shortly after. Dunn played the ball back to Boyle, who worked it wide to Louie Chorlton. Chorlton’s precise cross was flapped at by home goalkeeper Ollie Battersby, and Gavin Rothery pounced on the loose ball from close range, finishing at the second attempt to make it 2-0.
Cleethorpes quickly responded, piling on the pressure. Their persistence paid off in the 17th minute when a cross from Dan Gallimore somehow beat everyone and found the far corner of the net, pulling the hosts back into the game.
The scoreline was levelled just short of the half hour mark after a fast break from Cleethorpes. Nicky Walker raced down the right wing before finding Brad Abbott, whose cross was dispatched by Josh Walker at the near post, making it 2-2.
With the scores level at the break, it was expected that Cleethorpes would come out firing in the second half, hunting for a seventh straight victory.
The second half saw both teams battle it out with fewer clear cut openings. Pontefract looked dangerous on the counter attack, while Cleethorpes applied plenty of pressure with a number of set pieces.
Jack Greenhough’s trademark lobbed throw in caused confusion in the area, but there were no clear chances for both teams to capitalise on.
Stand-in goalkeeper Ryan Musselwhite, who had endured an early disappointment, redeemed himself with a series of calm claims and good handling, particularly on set pieces and crosses into the box.
As time ticked on, substitute Iffy Ofoegbu and Mohamed Mohsen—making his debut for the club—provided fresh pace and looked threatening on the break. However, neither team could create a decisive opportunity, and in the end, they both shared the spoils in a hard fought battle.
Pontefract Collieries can be proud of their performance in an intense end to end affair, and will look to build on this draw as they prepare for a run of home fixtures, starting this Saturday against Bridlington Town.