Pontefract Collieries 2-3 Steels

Stocksbridge Park Steels made it more difficult than necessary but were able to hold on to claim a 3-2 win over Pontefract Collieries.

The Steels started off as the better of the two teams with Lewis Macaskill and Ify Ofoegbu finding a lot of success down the wings. While Stocksbridge were doing well at this part of the pitch, they were given a fright at the other end but Gavin Rothery’s shot was well saved by Ben Townsend.

Stocksbridge would get the first goal. A long ball was sent over the top and Lewis Macaskill was the first to get onto it. He wasn’t able to finish properly, but Tomas Poole was able to latch onto it and send the ball goalwards. One of Pontefract’s defenders did get something onto it but it wasn’t enough to stop it from hitting the back of the net.

The Steels would have been cursing that they weren’t two goals ahead. Once again, a long ball caught out the Pontefract defence and this time it was Kurtis Turner who was able to race onto goal. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the pace to keep the Pontefract defenders at bay and they were able to catch up. Turner was able to recycle the ball but Pontefract were able to defend and prevent a clear cut chance.

In the second half, Stocksbridge looked to continue with the tactic that they found success with in the second half. It would work again, with Turner getting the ball in a positive decision. He then laid on the perfect ball for Ofoegbu who went one-on-one with Lloyd Allinson and was able to beat him and get the ball into the bottom corner.

Not long after this, Pontefract had their best chance of the game so far. Their passing caught out a Stocksbridge team still celebrating getting a two goal lead, and Townsend had to be alive to make a save from Rothery. The following shot from Pontefract would be sent wide much to the relief of Stocksbridge.

Luke Rawson made his return to the first team in this game after being out since the Sheffield Senior Cup match against Swallownest. He made an impact immediately as well to show his manager Ian Richards why he should be restored to the starting line-up. He was able to push off his marker and get onto a long ball and go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Then as if he hadn’t missed any time at all, Rawson slipped through the legs of Allinson to make it 3-0.

This should have been game over, but Pontefract hadn’t given up. From a shot, Townsend punched the ball out to Cody Cromack who hit it first time into the top corner. It was undoubtedly a fantastic goal which gave Pontefract hope.

They would build on that hope as well. Shortly after that Cromack goal, Pontefract got themselves a free kick on the right hand side of the box, though whether it should have been awarded was disputed. That didn’t matter for Ben Turner when he stood up for it though as he snuck it into the near post, beating Townsend and making sure there would be plenty of late drama.

Pontefract pressed for the equaliser but the Stocksbridge had firmed up their defence and were able to battle the ball away. In fact, Stocksbridge were the closest of either of the teams to score. With Pontefract pressing forward and Allinson playing sweeper keeper, they were caught out and Turner was able to get the ball from outside the box. He tried looping it over Allinson, much like Ben Partridge’s effort last season, but it would hit the post before bouncing out. Pontefract continued to press for their equaliser but Stocksbridge held out and got all three points.