Pontefract made the journey north in the first match of the 23/24 season FA Trophy. After three straight victories morale was high in the camp, going into a fixture that has been kind to us over the last couple of seasons. Stockton themselves had only been beaten by the current league leaders Hebburn Town, so were again confident of putting on a performance on a hot sweltering day on Teeside.
With temperatures reaching 28 degrees at kick off, it was Pontefract that started the faster of the two teams. Good movement between the forward players allowed Adam Priestley to latch onto a clip in behind the back line, Priestley got his body in but his volleyed attempt was well blocked. Up the other end Stockton were lively in the wide areas, Ben Turner found his way into the referees book for a rash challenge to prevent a counter.
Both sides created good openings that could have broken the deadlock, first the hosts who saw a shot blazed over from 12 yards. Then Adam Haw was rolled in on the ‘keeper after good pressing, but after smartly taking on the Stockton stopper the ball appeared to sit up and Haw missed the target from close range.
With the searing heat there was a drinks break around 25 minutes into the game, but when the match got back under way it seemed the Stockton forward hadn’t quite cooled down enough. He reacted to Jack Steers standing his ground, by pushing and appearing to kick Steers right in front of the referee – who was quick to brandish the red card.
Despite the sending off both teams continued to try and get the games first goal, both goalkeepers were forced into saves to keep the score level. With the first half stoppage time almost up Stockton were handed a great chance to take the lead, Harry Spratt was unable to clear a deep cross and his challenge brought down his man and the referee pointed to the spot. Kevin Hayes stepped up to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Ponte again came out of the blocks quickly, Danny Burns was denied from a corner and a few Boyle efforts from range – but not enough to worry our hosts.
With time running out and Pontefract pushing for a leveller, they found themselves short of cover at the back and Michael Sweet made us pay as he kept his cool to volley home their sides second. But that was far from all she wrote. Straight from the kick off the ball was worked wide to substitute Frankie Sinfield, who cut inside two players then jinked passed another before being upended in the box, PENALTY! Adam Haw stepped up to convert his second penalty in as many games to make it 2-1.
A last throw of the dice saw Allinson go forward for a set piece, the ball was cleared by and the resulting cross was hacked forward to set free to Sweet again. He was able to run clear from the on coming defence to roll in the game decider.
A tough result to take as we exit the FA Trophy, but a strong enough performance to take positives from a tough game. We now face Stockton Town at home in the league this Saturday as we look to add to our recent league form.