The Colls power through to the Second Qualifying Round, for only the second time in the clubs history, with convincing away win at Barnoldswick Town.
Ponte were keen to put result results behind them and push on in the cup, with a couple of players back from injury we were almost at full strength.
The early exchanges saw The Colls get a foot hold of the game, Mikey Dunn on three occasions got passed him man with ease and got a shot off at goal.
Just under a quarter of an hour Pontefract got the opener, Ryan Musselwhite’s long kick up field dropped between his opposing number and their back four. Vaughan Redford was able to nip in and flicked the ball over the stranded stopper to tap in from close range.
Scott Brown almost doubled the lead with a speculative effort from inside his own half, a quick free kick was taken and Brown almost caught out the home goalkeeper.
Mikey Dunn was now causing real havoc down the left side and he again left men for dead, this time controlling the ball in midfield and breaking clear. His cut back to Rothery was then well saved.
The resulting corner came back to Scott Smith, who crossed deep to the back post where Spencer Clarke was lurking. He managed to guide his header back to the six yards box, where Scott Brown was on hand to power his header in. 0-2 to The Colls.
In a half of very little for the hosts, Musselwhite and his back four held firm. Half time Ponte led by two, knowing Barnoldswick would need to come out strong in the second half.
The crowd of 419 saw just that in the early stages of the second half, ‘Barlick’ had four early shots on goal but none particularly worried Musselwhite who did the necessary.
With a number of changes breaking up play for both sides this allowed Ponte to regain control. Eli Hey had been introduced and he was denied, along with Scott Smith and Vaughan Redford all in one fast break.
Hey was involved again as he stole the ball high up and raced away, he fed Redford but he was unable to generate enough power to beat the ‘keeper.
With just under ten minutes remaining, The Colls were handed a chance to kill the tie. Smart build up play through Gavin Rothery and Eli Hey, the latter slotted in Scott Smith who got his body in and was upended PENALTY! Vaughan Redford stepped up and finished down the middle, as cool as you like.
At full time Ponte were deserved winners and were again in the hat for the next round. Fair play to Barnoldswick who never gave in, but our travelling spectators were treated to a great away performance.
Barnoldswick Town Team;
Pontefract Collieries Team;
