The Colls went into this Yorkshire derby looking to make it five wins in a row, this would have been a first for the season. However, they had the points snatched from them in stoppage time. The hosts claimed a double over The Colls.
For a change to recent weeks the weather was suitable for an Afternoon at the football. No rain, but a breeze that would help to frustrate both sides throughout the game. Ponte were in a alternate home kit, wearing our blue home shirt with away kit shorts and socks.
The game got off to a fast start and Ponte perhaps began brighter of the two. Joe Lumsden, Gavin Rothery and Luke Hinsley were all combining, but just lacked the finishing touches. Stocksbridge looked lively on the counter themselves. On occasion they broke down the right through good wing play, but Ponte’s defence stood firm.
The half’s major chance fell to Stocksbridge who saw a header at the far post well saved by Allinson, only for the rebounded effort fired high over the bar.
Ponte’s best opportunity came as a cross found Jimmy Williams at the far post, but his knock down was easy for the Stocksbridge stopper. There was a first half sub for the visitors as Gavin Rothery was substituted due to injury, on came winger Joao Rangel.
At the break both sides went in at 0-0, a fair scoreline with little between the two.
The first half showed there were signs of bite between the players and this continued into the second half, the major flash point saw Stocksbridge captain given his marching orders. A ball over the top saw the linesman raise his flag for a free kick to Ponte, as Jack Shepherd and Luke Mangham battled for the ball the latter reacted to a pull back by volleying Shepherd in the knees. Simple decision for the referee and the hosts were down to ten men.
This gave The Colls the ascendancy and Joao Rangel was causing havoc down the left hand side, but again Ponte were missing the finishing touch.
As the pressure continued to rain on the Stocksbridge defence Joe Lumsden headed over from a good Ben Turner cross, before a Mikey Dunn volley was saved well by Roxburgh in the hosts goal.
With over five minutes of the six stoppage time played a free kick was played short by Allinson to Turner, he delivered the ball but this was volleyed back up field towards Allinson. He mishit his clearance the pressing Stocksbridge forward reacted fast and on the spin curled an effort into the empty net. Wild scenes from the Stocksbridge players and dugout.
Due to the celebrations time ticked on, Ponte curled in a cross from the right and it was met by sub Nick Guest whose header was expertly tipped round the post. The resulting corner fell to a Ponte man only for a double block on the line.
The full time whistle blew to the delight of the Stocksbridge contingent. A hard result to take, on another day it could have been all three points heading back to West Yorkshire.
Stocksbridge Park Steels Team;
Pontefract Collieries Team;
Attendance: 171