Pontefract go top with thrilling derby win

Pontefract Collieries ensured that they set the early pace at the top of the Northern Counties Eastern League First Division with a thrilling win over local rivals Hemsworth, but manager Simon Houghton was left shaking his head in disbelief after his team seemed determined to throw away the points.

Throughout a pulsating match at Beechnut Lane, Hemsworth twice pulled back from a goal behind, only to be pegged back themselves and, finally, overtaken by Pontefract. Even the officials contributed to the entertainment, with several controversial decisions adding to a pulsating spectacle.

Buoyed by an expectant crowd, Pontefract were the first team out of the blocks, with Joe Thornton and Craig Goodyear having shots blocked by a determined Hemsworth defence in the opening minutes. When Goodyear’s 35-yard volley flew just over the bar and Poskitt’s subsequent effort skewed wide, it seemed only a matter of time before the home team took the lead. However, when Hammond’s firm tackle went unpunished, the visitors seemed to wake up to their task – seemingly fuelled by anger at the referee’s award of a free-kick to the home side for an earlier, less severe offence. The incident incensed and awaken Hemsworth, who started creating chances of their own: Tom Grindel’s lob falling wide of keeper Rob Poulter’s post, and Ross Haywood’s dangerous cross being comfortably handled by Poulter.

Just as Hemsworth seemed to be exerting their influence on the game, Pontefract took the lead: Carl Fothergill capping a driving right-wing run with a cross into Jason Bentley, who turned through 180 degrees before firing a left-foot shot into the net. However, before the Pontefract’s celebrations had subsided, the teams were level, although the manner of the goal would have infuriated their manager, Simon Houghton. When the Hemsworth keeper, Dale Walstow, sent a high kick towards the home team’s area, little could anyone have imagined that it would only require a single touch to end up in the back of the Ponte net; when first midfield and then defenders failed to clear the bouncing ball, Hemsworth’s Andrew Hayward nodded in at Poulter’s front post. Despite their self-inflicted wound, Pontefract pushed on, and Craig Goodyear’s excellent run into the heart of the Hemsworth area drew a rash foul, the referee had no alternative but to point to the spot. The immaculate Paul Staniforth duly despatched the spot-kick, and the home side regained the lead.

If the 2010-11 Colls have taken on a personality, it is that of a schizophrenic. When one minute they can thrill, the next they can frustrate. When one minute they seem entirely comfortable on the ball, the next they appear tentative and edgy. And so it continued: no sooner had the team chiselled out a 2:1 lead, than they handed the initiative back to the opposition. When the normally safe-handed Poulter spilled a 40-yard free-kick, Hemsworth’s Lee Swift was on hand to grab the equaliser. Minutes later, all Poulter could do was watch as Colin Williamson strode through a static defence to fire home, and the visitors led in a match in which they had twice fallen behind.  As the visitors gained heart, the closing minutes of the first half saw an emboldened Hemsworth push for a fourth against a tentative Pontefract.

However, if the chattering half-time crowd felt that Pontefract had shot their bolt, they were reckoning without the motivational powers of Simon Houghton. Within three minutes of the re-start, his side were level: a minute later, they were ahead. Firstly, a Thornton corner flew through a melee of players, glancing a defender’s head before flying into the net. Within seconds, Fothergill showed his characteristic clinical finishing to put his side in the lead. This time, Pontefract set about the task of retaining a lead.

As the game entered its final half hour, Hemsworth pushed forward in search of an equaliser. With Grindel and Williamson driving them on, chances were to come. Firstly, Dawson fired over the bar, then substitute Mike Spencer blaster over, followed by another Spencer mis-hit, when the goal seemed to open up in front of him. Sandwiched in between these missed opportunities, Pontefract’s Fothergill displayed sublime skill to control a ball that seemed destined for a throw-in, and immense imagination to send his next touch towards the Hemsworth goal from 50 yards. Had the ball flown 2 yards to the left, instead of the wrong side of the Hemsworth post, Beckham’s 1997 effort against Wimbledon would have been eclipsed.

Despite the inevitable late pressure from the trailing visitors, Pontefract held on, and stand proudly on top of the league tonight. However, Pontefract’s manager Simon Houghton was left scratching his head, worrying how one of the league’s tightest defences from the previous season has morphed into a generous donator of five goals in two games, although fans will not be complaining if the Beechnut Lane goal-rush continues. Although his team seem to be providing entertainment more akin to Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle than George Graham’s Arsenal, Houghton will be working to ensure that the defensive solidity of last season is restored sooner rather than later, as his side seem capable of scoring goals for fun.

Pontefract Collieries:

Rob Poulter, Dean Twibey, Paul Staniforth (captain), Sean Hammonds (Rob Utley, 82 mins), Johnny Forsyth, Luke Forgione, Ryan Poskitt, Craig Goodyear, Carl Fothergill, Jason Bentley (Lee Garside, 62 mins), Joe Thornton

Subs not used:  Connor Rollinson, Shaun Russell

Goals: Jason Bentley (20), Paul Staniforth (29, pen), OG (47), Carl Fothergill (48)

Bookings: Jason Bentley (19)
Sending off: none