Match Report: Ponte Colls 0-0 FC Halifax Town (FA Cup – 16/10/21)

The Colls hold National League side FC Halifax Town to a 0-0 draw, in front of a club record crowd at The Regional Electrical Services Ltd Stadium.

Craig Rouse’s men put in a heroic performance to a man to push a full strength Halifax Town to very end in a classic West Yorkshire Derby.

The players entered the field to rapturous applause and a great welcome by the Ponte Colls juniors teams, waving flags and acting as mascots for the day to both teams.

As expected the visitors had a lot of early possession, but Ponte defended resolutely and were ready to attack when the time came.

The Shaymen had the ball in the net, but this was ruled out due to the linesman’s flag being raised.

Our Collieries created plenty of issues for the National League side, many of which came from set plays. A couple of long throw ins from skipper Jack Greenhough, causing issues but fell to nothing.

Vaughan Redford had the first real shot of the half, another long throw in dropped to the front man but his shot was rushed and he fired high and wide.

Then it was the turn of Jack Vann to fire on goal, this time testing the palms of the Town stopper before diving on the rebound.

FC Halifax created their first clear cut chance breaking in behind down their right, but Musselwhite dived low to high right to make a smart save.

The biggest chance of the half fell to The Colls. Eli Hey beat his defender to the ball and broke on the Skinner Lane end. With only the keeper to beat he sliced over, after pressure from the retreating defender.

Halifax had the ball in the net for the second time, but again it was ruled out for offside. That was all the first half wrote and what a half it was. Ponte holding their own against higher league opposition.

An attendance of 1,429 were there to witness a fantastic day for the club and the town!

The second half was more of the same, Halifax with more of the possession. They came close through Jordan Slew who curled just passed the far post.

FC Halifax had their third offside goal chalked out, which you could say summed up their attacking play.

Spencer Clarke almost sent to capacity crowd into pandemonium. A free kick by Ben Gordon found the centre back clear in the box, but he couldn’t beat the goalkeeper with his header.

Both sides made changes to get their sides through to the next round of the cup, but Ponte continued to stand up to their opponents.

Musselwhite then took to centre stage, he first tipped onto the bar and pounced on the rebound. Then saving an effort which was from within their own half! He then made his third save in five minutes, to stop a shot up in the top left corner.

Craig Rouse’s men, despite their tired legs, pushed forward forcing a corner. With the corner not held by the keeper it fell the Jack Vann who was denied by a diving save low into the corner.

The officials indicated a minimum of six minutes added time and the task was then made harder, as substitute Scott Brown was sent off for a second yellow. He pulled back the opposition forward to stop him running clear on goal.

But Ponte were able to hold on for a much deserved draw and a replay at The Shay on Tuesday!

Pontefract Collieries Team;