The Colls finished their mid season friendlies with a 5-3 victory over a tough, battling Goole team. The visitors will play in next seasons Northern Counties East League Premier Division. They have recently appointed a new management team and will be looking to compete next season.
It was another wet and windy game down at The Regional Electrical Services Ltd Stadium, but the pitch has held up really well despite the heavy rain over the week.
Ponte got off to a bright start in the difficult conditions and were zipping the ball across the surface, Eli Hey struck a shot narrowly wide early on. Then minutes later Ben Gordon fired a powerful volley against the bar from a well worked move.
The Goole ‘keeper did well to deny Ponte on a number of occasions, including a curled effort from range by Jack Lazenby. But it was your hosts who broke the deadlock, a wonderful flowing attacking move which included Scott Brown, Vaughan Redford and Jack Greenhough. The latter slide a ball perfectly across the face of goal and Eli Hey couldn’t miss from close range.
Ponte then doubled their lead moments later. Redford again involved, he backheeled to Gordon who showed good close control to step passed his man and squeeze his shot into the far corner, 2-0 Colls.
Goole had created a few chances throughout the half, however right on half time they grabbed themselves a goal. A couple of missed clearances left the Goole man through on goal, the initial shot was well saved by Musselwhite but he couldn’t do anything about the rebound.
The second half saw The Colls come out firing with two quick fire goals. Hey broke down the right and fired a low cross into the danger area which was converted by the Goole defender. Dunn, who came on at the break, grabbed our fourth. Rothery picked his mans pocket and slid in Dunn, his fast feet saw him chop inside his man and shot low and hard passed the ‘keeper! 4-1 now to Ponte.
Ponte really dominated the early fifteen minutes of the half, pinning Goole back into their own half. But They hit back with one of their own to keep the contest alive. A smart through ball put away their no. 10 and he slotted under Musselwhite to make it 4-2.
However this wasn’t for long, from the kick off Dunn picked up the ball down the left and broke at speed. He ran passed his man and a daft challenge saw him upended in the box. Vaughan Redford from the spot powered in his penalty into the ‘keepers top left corner, two keepers wouldn’t have saved that!
Again with very little time left in the half Goole scored their third, a well worked free kick saw a tap in from close range. In between all the second half substitutes there were some really smart moves going forward, but stuff to work on defensively too.
The lads will now have a summer break ahead of the return for preseason. We cannot wait to be able to welcome fans back to our Beechnut Lane home.
