Pontefract Collieries made the short trip to Ingfield Stadium on a misty Mad Friday with the aim of avenging the 0-2 home defeat to Ossett on the opening day of a Long Season.
Ponte started brightly, dominating a lot of the early running and possession, with Luke Hinsley tapping home a well-crafted move only for the linesman’s flag to deny them the lead. Ossett soon had the lead themselves, as in the 33rd minute James Walshaw turned his man on the halfway line and raced through on goal. Lloyd Allinson made an excellent save to deny him but was helpless as Reon Potts tapped in the rebound.
Aaron Haswell soon had an equally good chance to double their lead soon after, but he fired wide. Colls were presumably baffled to be walking in at the interval lucky to be only a goal behind, having been the more positive of the sides for much of the half.
HT Ossett 1-0 Ponte
Whatever was included in Craig Rouse’s team talk clearly bore fruit as Pontefract started the second half much as they did the first, linking up well with some positive forward play. The introduction of Joao Rangel on 50 minutes was an evident masterstroke, as within a minute the Portuguese beat his man on the right wing and lifted a glorious cross to the back post where Scott Smith was on hand to head home the equaliser.
The match started to open up for both sides, with niggly tactical fouls to prevent counter attacks ever present, but with Colls in the ascendancy they were given their first real refereeing leg up of the season on 64 minutes. Jack Lazenby and the hosts’ Luke Hogg went in for a genuine 50/50, with Lazenby coming out the worse and the referee brandishing a red card for Hogg following a heated confrontation between almost all the players on the field.
Ponte quickly made the man advantage pay. Having had a similar opportunity earlier in the half well saved Gavin Rothery gave the Ossett keeper no such chance second time round, with a well-placed shot into the corner from twelve yards giving Colls the lead on 72 minutes – his second goal in as many matches.
Colls soon put the game to bed – having created multiple chances the latest one dropped to Luke Hinsley on 79 minutes, who dodged one tackle and fired home into the roof of the net to get his first goal for the club and send the travelling contingent into raptures.
Ponte kept Ossett stopper Zaniewski busy as they looked to put the result beyond any lingering doubt, with Rangel, Smith, and substitute Derry Robson all having solid efforts kept out. In the end they had to settle for their three goals as they managed the final period comfortably to secure a much-needed three points.
FT Ossett 1-3 Ponte
An excellent team performance, most pleasing in the sense that Ponte linked up well going forward and possessed a constant goal threat whenever they attacked. Matched by some excellent defensive graft to secure the lead once it had been won, this was a brilliant all-round team performance in a feisty derby fixture in difficult, foggy conditions.
Man of the match was unquestionably the substitute Joao Rangel, who completely changed the game following his introduction in the 50th minute with some mazy runs and two assists.
Craig Rouse’s side will now look to earn another derby victory and their third win on the bounce as they meet Frickley Athletic in “El Clasi-coal” on the 27th of December. Hopefully we can see as many of you there as possible to cheer the lads on!
Merry Christmas, and stay safe!
Ossett United Team;
Pontefract Collieries Team;
Attendance 552
Match Report by Chris Walton.