Bottesford 1:1 Pontefract Collieries
Northern Counties Eastern League Division One
Wednesday 24^th November, 2010

Pontefract Collieries returned to the top of the NCEL First Division with a point at Bottesford, but will consider this an opportunity missed having taken the lead through Ryan Poskitt.

Although the Colls now lead the division and have extended their unbeaten league run to an impressive 13 games, there were few positives to take from this match, as the team fell below the level of performance expected from them. Since being so impressive in their controlled win at neighbours Glasshoughton earlier in the month – a performance after which manager Simon Houghton would have expected confidence to have soared – the team have been knocked out of the league cup and dropped points against both Appleby Frodingham and Bottesford, fixtures that teams with serious championship credentials would expect to beat. Rather than lift the team’s belief in their own abilities and their enjoyment of the game, their play has become stilted and fear-filled.

This was another joyless performance. From the opening minutes, Pontefract seemed panicky in possession, choosing to clear their lines with aimless hoofs forward, instead of their trademark controlled passing football. Consequently, the home side enjoyed the bulk of possession, and while they rarely threatened an opening – Ponte remaining resolutely behind the ball – the visitors repeatedly returned the ball to their hosts, imploring them to try again!

The first real opening dropped to Pontefract, however, when an incisive angled ball from Rian Sykes cleared the Bottesford left-back Lee Mellows to fall at the feet of Ryan Poskitt. Poskitt’s first touch was excellent, taking him clear of his marker, but his powerful shot screamed past the upright with ‘keeper Adam Nicholson beaten.

Danny Ellerby attempted to beat Andrew Joburns from 35 yards, but saw his shot dip over the cross-bar. Duncan Bray – playing up front alongside Craig Stephens – showed good control to pull the ball back for Jason Bentley, who repaid the complement by returning the ball to Bray, whose shot was arrowed straight at the ‘keeper. Joburns then saved impressively from Mark Anderson, parrying the powerful shot away, and was relieved that Paul Staniforth’s reactions were quick as the Ponte man cleared up the rebound. With Bottesford enjoying the bulk of possession – aided by the Ponte wastefulness – it was inevitable that they would create the bulk of chances, and the best of these fell to Kirk Shrimpton, who turned Luke Forgione before missing the target at the near post when the net seemed to beckon.

When skipper Luke Smith was withdrawn after half an hour suffering from the after-effects of flu, Johnny Forsyth joined Luke Forgione in the heart of the defence, with Paul Staniforth moving to left-back and taking over the captain’s duties. Despite his promptings and fine example, however, his team continued to squander possession, relying too readily on the long ball which the Bottesford defence seemed to relish.

In addition to treating the ball as though it were an unexploded bomb, the Pontefract team contributed to putting themselves under more pressure through a series of needlessly-conceded fouls. When Poskitt fouled the impressive Martin Pembleton when the latter was running away from goal, the Bottesford No 7 took the free-kick himself, shooting several feet wide. With Joburns the busier of the two stoppers, Simon Houghton was glad to hear the half-time whistle and to re-organise his team.

The initial results were impressive. Duncan Bray, despite showing some good touches, is clearly snot yet up to full match fitness, was replaced by the ever-improving Lee Garside. Garside gave an impressive display, keeping the game simple and bringing others into the game with calm lay-offs. Within minutes of the re-start, the Colls striker had set up the best opportunity of the game, following some good interplay with Craig Stephens with a perfectly measured curling cross to the far post and the inrushing Poskitt. However, Poskitt missed the target, lifting the header over the keeper and crossbar when anything down low would surely have opened the scoring. However, the Ponte winger did not have to wait long for the opportunity to make amends, and this time he took full advantage.

The goal owed much to Craig Stephens, who had completed most of his impressive work in the match to date in his own half, setting his team a real example of determination in tracking back and retrieving. This time, the skilful forward had an impact in his favoured area of the pitch, driving at the Bottesford full back before sliding a threatening ball across the face of goal. Although Nicholson reached the ball, he did so only with his fingertips and, at full stretch, was unable to clear effectively. Poskitt was first to react, and smashed the ball home for the opener.

Garside took over from Stephens on the left, and followed some more good work with a lay-off to Staniforth, who sent a teasing cross into the area. The ball almost beat the keeper to extend the Colls lead, but the retreating Nicholson did well to tip over for a corner.

Following this let off, Bottesford came forward in search of an equaliser. The visitors were grateful to Luke Forgione, who intercepted a dangerous through ball when a goal seemed likely, before Pembleton had a 35-yard free kick tipped over the bar by Joburns. Danny Moore – on for Shrimpton – turned his marker before shooting wide. The Colls were not sitting comfortably on their lead, despite their impressive showing immediately after the interval.

When the equaliser came, it was largely self-inflicted. The Pontefract defenders had been constantly penalised for raising their hands during aerial challenges and, rather than keep their hands down, became frustrated with the referee for constantly penalising them. The lesson – when it was eventually learned – was a painful one: Forsyth being penalised for leaning on a player when winning a header just outside his own box. Up stepped Martin Pembleton to dip a fine free-kick up and over the wall and clear of the outstretched hand of Joburns.  

Skipper Staniforth – playing a leader’s role in driving his team forward – released Jason Bentley, who beat two men before laying the ball back for Sykes, whose low shot missed the target. With Dean Twibey impressing down the right, the two full-backs were contributing their share to their team’s cause, a fact that was underlined when Staniforth’s free-kick set up a further opportunity, Garside intelligently nodding the ball into the path of Bentley, whose volley flew straight at the keeper.

As the visitors sought a winner that would have taken them three points clear at the top of the league, the introduction of Carl Fothergill for the out-of-sorts Bentley seemed to give the side impetus, the striker’s energy and work-rate galvanising his team for the final push. When Fothergill won a free kick 30 yards from goal, Staniforth sent a curler over the wall, only to see the ball rebound from the far post as his team-mates and supporters raised their hands in celebration. Frustratingly, the rebound cleared the onrushing strikers, and the danger was averted. Frustration was the theme, as Fothergill’s goal-bound effort was saved – again, by the prone ‘keeper’s finger ends – and evaded the crowd of visiting players. When Craig Stephen’s last-minute cross evaded both Fothergill and Garside, the frustration was complete.

With four points dropped against Scunthorpe sides in the last week, Pontefract now turn their attentions westwards, with a trip to AFC Emley on Saturday. Simon Houghton will be seeking a return to winning ways and – of equal importance – an improved performance from his talented team. If his players realise how good they are – and recall that they are league leaders rather than strugglers – surely they can start playing with smiles on their faces and springs in their steps, and return to the impressive, confident outfit that swept all before them in October.

Pontefract Collieries:

Andrew Joburns, Dean Twibey, Luke Smith (capt) (repl. Johnny Forsyth, 30 mins), Luke Forgione, Paul Staniforth, Paul Haigh, Ryan Poskitt, Rian Sykes, Duncan Bray (repl. Lee Garside, 45 mins), Craig Stephens, Jason Bentley (repl. Carl Fothergill, 75 mins)

Subs not used: none

Goal: Ryan Poskitt (54)

 Bookings: none