Eccleshill United 4:1 Pontefract Collieries
Baris NCEL First Division
Wednesday 7th September, 2011

Despite taking the lead through James McDaid during a dominant opening period, Ponte Colls’ 100% league record came crashing to the ground in dramatic fashion at Eccleshill, as a second-half capitulation saw the Colls beaten 4:1.

Robbed of the services of Liam Ormsby and Jonny Forsyth prior to the kick off, some last-minute re-organisation was required by Brendon Ormsby. This did not seem to affect the team in the early stages, as they played some good football and controlled possession, with the restored midfield duo of Paul Haigh and Andy Broadbent pulling the strings.

James McDaid came close to opening the scoring in the third minute, when he cut in from his berth on the left flank before unleashing a powerful shot which was parried by Eccleshill ‘keeper Jordan Wright into the path of Rob Oldham, whose follow-up effort smashed into the side netting.

However, McDaid’s opener was only postponed, not cancelled, and he put his side in the lead three minutes later. Latching onto a Steve Lyons flick-on from a Lee Stretton ball, McDaid calmly slotted the ball past Wright and into the corner of the net.

Eccleshill, still struggling to get any sort of foothold in the game, did muster a 30 yard shot from Adam Bower, but Lee Kelsey saved comfortably, despite the ball bouncing awkwardly in front of him.

Pontefract almost stretched their lead when McDaid curled a superb shot towards the top corner of the net, again having cut in from the left to create the opening. This time, Wright pulled off a full-stretch save, at the cost of only a corner. Pontefract forced a series of corners as they continued to mount pressure, but were unable to get final touches onto Rob Oldham’s deliveries.

Gradually, the hosts managed to establish some possession of their own, with Marcus Edwards ever dangerous up front. Edwards’ broke into the box, but was well tracked by Paul Haigh, whose pressure allowed Kelsey to smother the ball.

When Andy Broadbent – who worked hard throughout to retrieve possession – fed Greig McGrory, the striker’s ball across goal evaded his strike partner.

After the interval, the game changed beyond all recognition. Lee Stretton – clearly struggling with a niggle – seemed tentative, whereas he had earlier been combative and confident. With Pontefract facing the strong wind after the break, they seemed – quite inextricably – to want to rely on long high balls to clear their lines, thereby gifting possession back to their hosts. With possession came momentum, and the combination of Eccleshill’s gathering force and Ponte’s nervy play, an equaliser seemed inevitable.

A comedy of errors almost gifted parity to the host. Coming out to meet a ball lofted into the path of Edwards, Kelsey attempted to clear with his head. The attempted clearance looped behind the Ponte’ keeper, who was relieved to see Edwards unable to take advantage of this faux pas, with Oldham deflecting the effort away for a corner. The corner betrayed more evidence of the growing panic within the Ponte ranks, as both Kelsey and his defenders failed to get a touch on the cross. Fortunately, so did Andy Howland for the hosts, when a goal seemed inevitable.

The inevitable finally happened in the 57^th minute and again, Eccleshill were able to pounce on errors in the Ponte ranks, Charlie Flaherty lofting the ball over Kelsey’s head after the visitors had passed up on two chances to clear their lines.

Eccleshill took the lead minutes later, when Bower headed home a corner at the near post.

Kelsey prevented a further goal when pulling off a flying save to match that of Wright’s in the first half, denying Edwards a spectacular goal. However, the hosts did score a third when a cross-cum-shot from Edwards sailed over the hapless Kelsey and into the roof of the net.

A fourth was added when Stretton mis-hit an attempted clearance and Edwards slotted home.

A further comedy of errors presented Edwards the chance of his hat-trick when Kelsey mis-hooked an attempted clearance and released the striker. However, the Eccleshill player’s effort bounced off the post, and was cleared by Oldham.

With the Pontefract players despondent at the final whistle, their manager must be scratching his head to work out how a team that had played almost perfect football less than two weeks earlier to remain the only team in the league with a 100% record could have been transformed into a team that could hardly put foot on ball at times, let alone string meaningful passes together or create openings. With the home game against Albion Sports looming large on Saturday, Ormsby and his team will need to use all their powers to restore the team’s confidence and belief.

Pontefract: Lee Kelsey, Dean Twibey (captain), Rob Oldham, Lee Stretton, Tom Robinson, Paul Haigh, Ryan Poskitt (replaced Will Ramsay, 68), Andy Broadbent, Steve Lyons (replaced James Hicks, 68), Greig McGrory (replaced Warren Redford, 83), James McDaid

Subs not used: Scott McGrory, Duncan Bray

Goal: James McDaid (6)

Cautions: none