Pontefract Collieries began their 2023/24 campaign in perfect fashion, as they dispatched Northern League side Birtley Town in the Emirates FA Cup. Two goals in a minute of first half football and a late third sealed a place in the Preliminary Round of the cup on their first competitive game this season. #
With this fixture initially due to take place on Saturday (5th) before it was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, anticipation was high as The Colls welcomed Birtley Town to the Hunters Stadium. With the sun shining and a decent crowd in attendance it was Birtley who got us underway attacking the Shed End in the first half.
The match started at a frantic pace with both teams looking to get a foothold in the tie, Adam Priestley was presented with the first real chance as he found himself bearing down on goal but ws unable to divert his effort passed the on rushing ‘keeper.
It was Pontefract that did break the deadlock, a clearance up field dropped to the feet of Adam Haw. He brought the ball down and played a reserve ball into the path of Connor Smythe, who sliced through the defence and calmly rolled home to make it 1-0.
The celebrations had barely finished when a Jack Greenhough throw in was fired in from the right. As players went up with the Birtley goalkeeper, the ball dropped to Gavin Rothery who bundled in from close range at the second bite to double The Colls lead.
A couple of smart defensively blocks were the only thing preventing Craig Rouse’s men from going in three up at the break. With the final kick of the half seeing Connor Smythe with a free kick in a dangerous area, only for this to fire over.
The Second started much the same as the first, Birtley needing to come on to Ponte to try and push for a goal to get back into the game. The visiting players and dugout appealed for a couple of unlikely calls but weren’t really looking like hitting the net.
Birtley Town began to lose their rag with a couple of hefty challenges flying in resulting in a few yellow cards. Whilst Ponte continued to create the better openings, this time Adam Haw missed the target from close range as the ball deflected to him inside the penalty area.
With just over twenty minutes remaining the visitors were reduced to 10 men. A goal kick saw Smythe and Wharton challenge for the ball and the latter was shown red for a swing arm, that saw contact with the head of Smythe.
Harry Flatters in the Colls goal had largely been a bystander throughout, but was required to make a smart low save to keep our lead to two goal. Before at the end other a goal was ruled out for offside as Adam Haw fired home, only to see the offside flag raised.
As time continued to tick down it was the substitutes who combined to create our third. Birtley failed to clear and the ball dropped to Greenhough on the right flank, he rolled the ball wide to Oli Metcalfe and his cross was inch perfect for Joe Lumsden to seal the tie with a great header.
There was still time for more chances as Ponte had three good chances to make it four, the best of these saw Lumsden denied a carbon copy of his earlier goal – only for a defender to head off the line underneath the cross bar.
The final whistle blew to rapturous applause from the home crowd, who enjoyed a very solid performance throughout. We will now host the winner of a replay between Newton Aycliffe and Guisborough Town, who drew 2-2 on Wednesday (9th) the Preliminary Round fixture will be hosted at The Hunters Stadium.
The Colls host Carlton Town this Saturday as they begin their league campaign at home for a 3:00pm kick off.
Attendance: 279
Report written by: Charlie Fletcher