Ponte Colls new signing Greig McGrory marked the day of his signing for the team with a brace against Carleton, as the team ran out 3:0 winners against a manful rearguard from their visitors.

The away team, who contained several players who used to play for Colls Chairman Guy Nottingham in the days when he was a coach and manager, equipped themselves well against the Colls, setting themselves up to frustrate their hosts. Despite dominating possession, Ponte struggled to break down their visitors, who were well marshalled by Lee Howorth and Michael Berry at the back.

Pontefract maintained their patient approach play, and were rewarded in the 21st minute when Ryan Poskitt floated a delightful ball into the path of McGrory. The debut boy – who excelled against his new side while playing for Leeds Carnegie last season – cushioned the ball with his first touch and stroked it home with his second.

With McGrory partnering former Bradford City player David Brown up front, the Colls front line made up for their lack of height with busy, intelligent movement. However, Brown was unable to match his feat of scoring for Bradford on his debut with a debut goal for Pontefract, despite a good performance.

Mick Walpole also made his Colls debut in the middle of the park, and competed well. With Rob Oldham a constant threat down the left flank and Ryan Poskitt on the right, Ponte used the width of the park to create openings. However, while Broadbent and his midfield partners controlled the ball in the middle, the team lacked incisiveness in the final third as the first half drew to a close.

After the break, Oldham was pushed further forward into his preferred advanced role, the left flank proved most fruitful. Oldham narrowly missed with a firm drive across goal, and sent several teasing crosses into the Carleton area. With Greig McGrory joined by his brother Scott in the second half, the team inched forward.

The second goal came in the 53rd minute, when Lee Howorth’s foul resulted in a free kick on the edge of the box. McGrory scored his second of the game with a cheeky effort, beautifully curled around the wall and in off the post of Martin Parkin’s net. 

Although Andy Bugg was isolated up front in the second half, the visitors managed to carve out a couple of opportunities, as Bugg raced away from his markers to drive at goal. However, first Lee Kelsey and secondly Lee Cockerham frustrated his efforts, and the Colls resumed control of the game.

The third goal was scored by Scott McGrory, and owed much to a wicked deflection.

The Colls enjoyed the outing against lower league opposition who equipped themselves admirably, and were buoyed by the performances of the new boys and, in particular, the two-goal hero.

Colls: Lee Kelsey, Lee Cockerham, Tom Jubb, Rob Oldham, Lee Stretton, Nicky Handley, Jack Hill, Will Ramsey, Leon Guest, Warren Redford, Scott McGrory, Mick Walpole, Ricky Popplewell, Richard Morris, Andrew Broadbent, Greig McGrory, David Brown.

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