Steels 1-0 Pontefract Collieries
Written by Dakir Thanveer
Stocksbridge Park Steels earned a 1-0 victory over Pontefract Collieries in the Northern Premier League East Division at Bracken Moor on Monday, thanks to a late Tomas Poole winner.
Playing against playoff contenders Pontefract Collieries, the Steels found themselves under the cosh in the initial minutes. However, Ian Richards’ side soon grew into the game.
The first big chance of the game came in the 23rd minute when Tomas Poole played Luke Rawson through on the right flank after combining well with Kurt Turner. The No. 9 delivered a tempting low cross into the danger area but the ball is dealt with by a Colls defender before Jack Watson could get on the end of it.
Meanwhile, skipper Ross Goodwin – starting alongside Charlie Oglesby in central defence – displayed his defensive prowess, putting an end to a Bailey Thomspon-led attack just outside the Stocksbridge box.
The Steels had another sight of goal in the 31st minute, with Watson playing a threatening cross from the left wing. Poole gave his all to get on the end of it, going in with a diving header, but could not connect.
Minutes later, Poole produced a jaw-dropping nutmeg on the right-hand side in what was one of the best moments of the first half. His cross, however, was easily gathered by Colls goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson.
The first half did not end well for the Steels as Turner was forced off with an injury. Richards, making his first change of the game, brought on Alex Phillipson, with Goodwin moving back to midfield.
The first chance of the second half fell to Watson. Tom Charlesworth played a clever pass to Poole from a free-kick just inside the Pontefract half. The latter subsequently delivered a cross into the box, finding Watson, whose header goes just over the crossbar.
Townsend, meanwhile, had a heart-in-moment just after the one-hour mark as he miskicked a clearance. The goalkeeper, though, did well to clear it away for a throw-in before the visitors could pounce.
After pulling out a stunning nutmeg in the first half, Poole produced another moment of brilliance just before the 70-minute mark, attempting a half-volley from outside the Colls box. He was unfortunate not to find the top left corner.
The gaffer made his final two changes between the 75th and 85th minute, bringing Jack Dolman and Olly Nowak on for Luke Rawson and Jordan Lemon.
The game opened up in the final 15 minutes, with Watson seeing two ambitious efforts go off target. Oliver Metcalfe had one on the other end, but saw the ball fly over Townsend’s goal.
It was Poole who eventually got the first and only goal of the match.
Watson did not seem like a player who had been working his socks off for 89 minutes, tussling with a Colls defender to force his way into the box. Although his initial pass did not find its target, the ball fell to Poole, who made no mistake in front of the goal.
With only four games left to play, Stocksbridge have made another step towards ensuring safety. The Steels sit 12 points above the drop zone, although 19th placed Grantham Town have a game in hand.
Richards and Co. visit North Ferriby in their next outing on Saturday (April 6).
