Pontefract Collieries succumbed to ten-man Glasshoughton Welfare at the White Rose Stadium in a disappointing display in one of their biggest crowds of the season. Ex-Collieries striker Del Pollock scored the winning goal in extra-time, as Glasshoughton could not find a winner in a second half in which they dominated.

Pontefract were actually the quickest team out of the blocks, James Wilcock had a half-chance before DUNCAN BRAY (3m) opened the scoring. The big striker’s deft flick in front of goalkeeper Simon Kemp was a classy finish but the goal was made by academy player Hassan Ahmed, who took the ball on the near side, beat two players before delivering a pin point cross to Bray.

The Colls were having the majority of the early play, Bray again tired his look but shot wide, before a great looking Luke Smith delivery into the box was missed by Kemp in the Glasshoughton goal, but the visiting defence managed to clear their lines.

A couple of corner-kicks were then cleared by Glasshoughton, again from Luke Smith deliveries, before Glasshoughton’s first real half-chance saw Andrew Seed nearly in on goal, Sam Dobbs being alert to smother the danger.

However, it was only a sign of what was to come. Some poor defending at the back saw LIAM RADFORD (23m) poke the ball past Dobbs from close range after the Ponte defence had completely failed to deal with the ball.

Moments later, Josh Corbett nearly scored an identical goal for the visitors, Johnny Hirst at fault this time for letting the midfielder get beyond the defender too easily, thankfully Sam Dobbs made a decent save down low.

Next up was Alex Booth, who had a free header on goal which he could only direct wide. Glasshoughton were definitely gaining the upper hand at the moment, but a brief respite for the hosts saw Bray and Frost combining well giving Bray the opportunity to lash a shot at goal, but it was too close to Kemp to cause any danger.

Ponte’s defence hadn’t learned from their earlier mistakes as Glasshoughton then took the lead. A high ball in the box seemed to cause panic, yet no-one wanted to claim the ball for their own. Dobbs took the defence into his own hands, coming off his line to claim, but ultimately missing the ball, allowing MARK NEWTON (29m) the easiest chance to score he’ll have in his career. Ponte were their own worst enemies at the back at present, and it wasn’t to get any better.

A woefully underhit back pass from Adam Smith saw Dobbs have to race off his line and out of his area to get anywhere near the ball, Paul Sykes easily took the ball past him and had all the time in the world to score. Unbelievably, the Glasshoughton player hit the post with no-one between him and the net! Definitely one for the Christmas bloopers DVD!

Ponte managed to drag themselves back level before half-time however. Hassan Ahmed turned his marker in the area, who could only bring down the young player to earn Ponte a penalty. LUKE SMITH (41m) smashed the ball into the net to continue his remarkable scoring record from the spot.

The second half kicked off as a very feisty affair, first Andy Broadbent and Adam Sadler were involved in a challenge which sparked the entire team into life and earned the pair a caution as tempers frayed. A couple of corner kicks from each side saw half-chances for each side, Paul Sykes nearly got himself a free header and at the other end, the Glasshoughton defence was blocking well.

That was as good as it got for Ponte as Glasshoughton dominated the second half and Ponte rarely got the ball beyond the half way line. A free-kick by Radford just shaved the bar and had Dobbs diving to try and keep the ball out.

However, the balance of power seemed to be, and should have been, shifted back to Ponte. A dreadful challenge from behind by Andy Seed on Hassan Ahmed, which had players from both sides rushing in, saw Seed shown a straight red card for the second time in two appearances against Ponte this season.
Glasshoughton going a man down seemed to do little to change the game however, and the visitors were still in charge of the game.

Sykes seemed to have got the visitors third of the game with a header across the face of goal, only for Sam Dobbs to come up with a world-class one handed save to his right to somehow keep the scores level.
Glasshoughton’s corners were causing real danger in the Ponte box, as each and every time the ball went straight through everyone with the defence unwilling to claim the ball, and Ponte’s goal seemingly leading a charmed life.

A brief moment or respite saw Warren Redford, who had come on for Danny Frost in the first time due to the former Winterton striker suffering concussion, take advantage of a slip in the Glasshoughton midfield, taking the ball on towards goal but just as the academy star was about to shoot, the defence managed to get a deflection on the ball and the chance came to nought. Moments after, substitute Del Pollock nearly hit a spectacular shot into the back of the net from outside the area, but the ball just whistled beyond the post.
Pontefract just couldn’t keep hold of the ball, every time it got to the halfway line a stray pass or a foul saw the ball returned to the Ponte half almost incessantly.

With time running out, there was still one last chance for Glasshoughton, but Dobbs was on hand again to save with his feet this time.

Extra-time saw Ponte finally find their feet and they were much more into the game. A good effort from outside the area by Duncan Bray was just too close to Kemp in the visitors goal and soon afterwards, Redford was denied from point blank range by the goalkeeper.

Substitute Leon Guest then put in a good cross which was headed over by Johnny Hirst. The second period of extra time saw yet another corner go straight beyond everyone in the Pontefract area, just needing a slight touch to give the visitors the lead, yet they were soon on the scoresheet. Ponte’s failure to deal with the ball in the area finally saw their undoing. A free-kick from near the touchline was taken by ex-Pontefract and Kellingley player DEL POLLOCK (109m) and launched into the area. With the defence seemingly concentrating on marking instead of dealing with the ball itself, the ball was allowed to take a bounce before nestling in the far corner of the net with Dobbs beaten. It was a lead Glasshoughton ultimately deserved, and the only occurrences of note to happen in the last ten minutes were the visitors’ Booth and Sykes having chances, the latter almost waltzing through the Ponte backline.

This was a disappointing performance for Ponte for a game that had promised so much, and they will now have to concentrate on their league form as any slip up will see the very slim chance of promotion firmly ended.

PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES 2-3 GLASSHOUGHTON WELFARE (AET)
Wilkinson Sword Trophy – Semi-Final
Tuesday 12th April 2011

Teams
COLLS BLUES
1 Sam DOBBS 1 Simon KEMP
2 Dean TWIBEY 2 Adam SADLER
3 Luke SMITH (C) 3 Lee STRATFORD
4 Johnny HIRST 4 Alex BOOTH
5 Adam SMITH 5 Jack NODDER
6 Paul HAIGH 6 Paul BANTON (C)
7 James WILCOCK 7 Mark NEWTON
8 Andy BROADBENT 8 Josh CORBETT
9 Duncan BRAY 9 Liam RADFORD
10 Danny FROST 10 Andrew SEED
11 Hassan AHMED 11 Paul SYKES
12 Leon GUEST (for Wilcock, 74m) 12 Del POLLOCK (for Newton, 70m)
14 Warren REDFORD (for Frost, 41m) 14 Damion LIDDLE (for Corbett, 118m)
15 Tom JUBB (for Bray, 105m) 15 Rian SYKES (for Sadler, 55m)
16 Karl ABBOTT 16 Matt WILKINSON
17 Lee KELSEY 17 Paul HEGARTY

GOALS:
1-0 Bray 3m; 1-1 Radford 23m; 1-2 Newton 29m; 2-2 Smith (Pen) 41m; 2-3 Pollock 109m

Half-Time: 2-2
Full-Time: 2-2
Extra-Time: 2-3

BOOKINGS:
Haigh, Broadbent, Frost, Redford (Ponte); Sadler, Radford, R Sykes (Glass)

SENT OFF
Seed (Glass)