Silsden 3:4 Pontefract Collieries (aet)
FA Youth Cup
Monday 5th September, 2011

Pontefract Collieries won a thrilling game against their Western Division opponents Silsden on Monday night in a game high in drama and not short of quality. Leading 3-1 with just ten minutes to go, the young Colls contrived to hand the initiative back to the hosts who scored twice within two minutes to level the scores. Yet, a penalty in extra-time, and some resolute backs to the wall defending, saw Pontefract into the First Qualifying Round where they will face the winners of Ossett Albion or Blue Square Bet Premier side Grimsby Town away.

The Colls were the better of the two sides in the opening exchanges, playing some lovely football and creating some quality moves too. Leon Guest was the first to try his luck with a shot that just whistled beyond the upright, before Oliver Peacock had a half chance that he couldn’t control at the other end. Both sides did their best to keep the ball on the ground, and play football on what was becoming an increasingly greasy and slippery surface as the rain didn’t stop.

Deservedly, Collieries took the lead when a lovely move and run on the left side of midfield saw Warren Redford lay the ball on a plate for CALLUM GREEN (17m) to head home at the back post.

It was the visitors who continued to dominate play in the midfield, Green skippering his side to good effect and leading by example with strong runs throughout. There were further chances to Redford, whose shot just went beyond the corner of post and cross-bar, and Lewis Osborne with a half-chance that the ‘keeper Nathan Riley did well to cover.

It seems that Pontefract could suffer the same sort of thing that the first team has experienced recently, in not taking the chances that come to them. Indeed, it could easily have been 3-1 at the break and no-one could really have had any argument with the score. Chris Wademan was easily Silsden’s best player, and probably the best player on the night. Late in the half, he had two chances that were well blocked by Karl Abbott and Grant Chapman in the box.

The second half saw Silsden come racing out of the blocks, Wademan the dangerman again, stand-in ‘keeper Jack Hill coming out on top in a one-on-one situation. However, the Colls were more than capable themselves of turning the game in a second, as a lovely move from midfield saw Osborne running at pace and creating a quick one-two with Redford before shooting inches wide.

However Silsden were still having the majority of possession, and they made the visitors pay as a deep cross from Josh McNulty saw WADEMAN (53m) with the simple task of heading in on the goalline. The goal seemed to spur the hosts onwards, Hill having to be at his best to keep out an effort from McNulty before Stevie Lee shot just over the bar.

The young Colls were being restricted to counter-attacks, however the lead was restored thanks to a moment of brilliance from Leon Guest. The young midfielder turned the centre-backs one way, then back again before hitting a fierce dipping shot at goal that Riley did brilliantly to stop, however he was helpless as REDFORD (65m) slotted home the rebound.

Both sides traded chances, Jordan Turner hitting over for the Colls and Wademan wasting a chance he really should have done better with. Unmarked in the box, the hosts’ young striker dragged his shot wide with just Hill to beat.

The Colls then gained a two goal advantage and had seemingly done enough to win the game. Ryan McDermott did wonderfully to win the ball back in midfield before setting up LEON GUEST (80m) on the edge of the area who shot powerfully home beyond the home ‘keeper’s despairing dive. 1-3 was surely too much to come back for the home side with just ten minutes left?

Within a minute of gaining the two goal advantage, Silsden were right back in it! The defence just couldn’t live with WADEMAN (82m) this time, and the striker this time got his shot in on target before the ball was helped into the net by Abbott.

Stunned by this setback, the Colls were to be left exasperated seconds later as, unbelievably, the home side had equalised! Wademan again involved and setting up home skipper HARVEY BRIGGS (83m) who slid the ball home to the home fans delight.

With the game quickly heading towards extra time, both sides had chances to finish the tie off. Both Osborne and Guest had really good chances that were well held by Riley and, despite playing 9 minutes of added time, the referee blew the whistle for extra-time.

The first period saw an Osborne shot deflected for a corner before the Colls finally scored the goal that would settle the tie. Osborne was involved again, the ball coming to him in the area and the striker did very well to hold the ball up, yet was needlessly tripped by a home defender giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. REDFORD (101m) held his nerve to coolly slot home for his second of the match.

The second period saw Pontefract’s defence steadfast, despite a chance that broke to Wademan – the striker snatched at the shot and saw it go wide when a more composed touch and finish could well have seen the game level.

Both sides gave their all in this game, the only shame would be that there had to be a loser. However, the Colls will point to the excellent performance last season at Maltby Main – a game they went out of in extra-time, despite playing the better football. This game was a great advert for youth football, both sets of players sportingly clapped off by the home fans. The young Colls now look forward to their next test when they travel to Pocklington Town on Tuesday next week.

COLLS: Hill, Wright, Allen (McDermott HT), Abbott, Chapman, Guest, Turner, Green, Osborne, Redford, Barker (Carrigan 72m (Wild 77m)).

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