We take a look back on a season of highs and lows, records tumbled in the FA Cup and how our early league form was turned around to finish mid table. Our first season finished since finishing second in the Northern Premier League, then falling short at the last leg. We take a look at the positive steps taken to hopefully be successful on and off the field in 2022/23.
With the season ending prematurely last year, we were in for an extra long preseason due to another Covid hit season. January 2021 saw the return of Craig Rouse to take the reigns, alongside former players Jimmy Williams (Player/Joint Assistant Manager) and Andy Seed (Joint Assistant Manager). Gavin Rothery also made the step up to join the coaching staff whilst remaining as a player, with Ross McKenna continuing his role of Analyst and GK Coach.
A number of former players returned to the club, most notably our now Club Captain and Vice Captain Jack Greenhough and Spencer Clarke. The Rouse Era got underway at Golcar United for a behind closed doors fixture, where Ponte won 3-2. We went on to win all four of our (pre) Preseason Fixtures with wins over Athersley Rec, Goole AFC and AFC Wakefield.
More players were confirmed as we entered preseason proper, where we faced stiffer tests. Wins over Rossington Main, Maltby Town, Belper Town and retaining The Bill Cook memorial Trophy with a win against Glasshoughton Welfare. But were followed by defeats to Mossley and Gainsborough Trinity to finish our preparations for the NPL season.
August didn’t go to plan as we started our campaign with defeat at home to Ossett United, but wins over Pickering Town and an FA Cup victory at Goole saw a brief turn in form. This was then met with three defeats to end the month with losses to Cleethorpes (home), Dunston (away) and Liversedge (home).
A rampant 0-3 victory away at Barnoldswick Town saw Ponte reach the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. A late goal denied Ponte a point at home to Lincoln United, followed by a point away at Brighouse Town and defeat away to Worksop Town. We hadn’t played badly so far in September but were falling short in claiming much needed wins. Ponte continued to progress in the FA Cup setting club records with a 2-3 win at Squires Gate, before being knocked out of the FA Trophy in the first round on penalties to Yorkshire Amateurs. Our final league game of September saw us gain a vital three points against fellow strugglers Bridlington Town (2-0 victors).
October was a real roller coaster, it started at home to Handsworth Town in the FA Cup where we battered them by six goals to nil. This would set up a glamour tie at home to National League promotion chasing FC Halifax Town. Before the tie Ponte fell to a defeat against Stocksbridge, thanks to a late penalty save to deny us a point.
History was made on a cracking afternoon at Beechnut Lane as we welcome over 1,400 fans for a 0-0 draw against FC Halifax, a result that was celebrated across the town as Ponte were in the first round draw live on TV. We then faced a mammoth task of playing them in their own backyard. With 526 Colls fans making the journey, we made all the noise on a night despite losing 1-0. A night that will go down in the memory forever for Colls fans, staff, volunteers and the first team group.
A cup hangover ensued with a big defeat at home to Tadcaster Albion in the league and then being knocked out of the County Cup at the hands of NCEL side Harrogate Railway to end October.
This continued into November as we were defeated on the road at Shildon, but the introduction of Rob Guilfoyle on loan helped us claim a crucial win over Hebburn Town courtesy of the loanees brace. Two narrow late defeats fallowed at Marske and Yorkshire Ammers, but the feeling was that the tide was about to turn.
December saw us in the bottom three but, three games against Pickering Town, Ossett Town and Frickley Athletic over the festive period all resulted in big wins. This run of form saw Ponte head to league leaders Liversedge on New Years Day full of confidence, a big away following celebrated behind the goal with the players thanks to a late second half equaliser from Callum Brook to take a deserved point.
January then saw our form dip with defeats on the road to Bridlington Town, Sheffield FC and another late goal beat us at Marske. The signing of Joe Lumsden saw him return to one of his former clubs and he and Luke Hinsley scored in a big away win to again start to pull away from danger.
Three victories over North East sides followed, a home win over Shildon was followed by an away Tuesday night victory at Hebburn Town. The third of those wins saw Ponte defeat 10 unbeaten Stockton Town to move up to mid table behind Stocksbridge Town, who we were on the wrong end of a last gasp half way line winner to end February.
The month of March was a case of missed chances, we were again beaten by a last gasp winner to be denied a point against Worksop at home before being held to points at home to Brighouse Town and away at Lincoln. The month finished at Stockton where we took an early lead, before being pegged back in the second half to lose 3-1.
The final month of the season went almost as our season did. We started off with a rock and roll 4-3 victory in a West Yorkshire Derby over Yorkshire Amateurs, then a huge 0-2 win away at Cleethorpes Town in front of another big away following on the coast. A lethargic first half cost Ponte at home to Dunston but back it up with a big away win at Frickley Athletic, in front of a big away crowd on Easter Monday. Ponte comfortable in mid table hosted Sheffield FC on the final day of the season, as the visitors were fighting to survive. Jack Greenhough made a return from a serious knee injury to make a landmark 200th appearance in the latter minutes. Despite losing Ponte showed throughout the season we could match many of the big sides in the league and learnt plenty to look to improve for next season.
A season with lows, but many highs too. One thing that can certainly be taken from this season is the link formed between the First Team group and the fans has been ever present since the turn of the year. Something we can all be proud of and we cannot wait to see more of it next year too.
Our end of season Awards Night (Saturday 23rd April) saw our volunteers thanked for their help throughout the year and the players were awarded, who impressed for their performances.
200th Appearance Award – Jack Greenhough
Committee Player of the Season – Spencer Clarke
Supporters Player of the Season – Jack Vann
Goal of the Season – Jack Vann (Away at Cleethorpes Town)
Young Player of the Season – Jack Shepherd
Manager’s Player of the Season -Spencer Clarke
Player’s Player of the Season – Jack Vann.
Records made in 21/22
Record attendances
Home (FC Halifax Town – 1,429) Away (FC Halifax Town – 526)
Record FA Cup Run
Reaching the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round