PICKERING TOWN U19 4-1 PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES U19
Northern U19 Youth Alliance – Eastern Division
Tuesday 29^th November 2011

Pontefract’s Academy side lost their unbeaten record in the league in surprising circumstances, as they were simply blown away by a second half onslaught by a Pickering side that have now scored 8 goals in just two games against the Colls.

It all looked to be heading the right way at the break, with Ryan Waugh’s goal separating the sides. But the young Colls just could not live with the hosts in the second half, and conceded four times without reply.

A brisk cold winter evening saw the home side start off the better – Eddie Cass hitting a snapshot in the box just over the bar, before Jamie Wilstrop’s corner caused danger in the area, nearly going straight in from the set piece, but the impressive Danny Ansbro was on hand to clear.

After ten minutes or so, the visitors finally got into the game. An impressive counter attack saw Lewis Osborne send Bradley Wild racing through, but his shot was just wide of the target. Soon after, some more good pressure saw Osborne nearly in again but the striker’s shot was blocked. From the rebound, Aaron Carrigan’s effort was also blocked and finally cleared.

Osborne then blasted a shot over the bar from some good build up play from Leon Guest, before Lewis Taylor hit an effort wide at the other end from a Wilstrop run.

Despite both teams playing some good football, the opening goal came about in very scrappy circumstances. Guest put in a super delivery from the corner flag, the ball causing panic in the Pickering area, with RYAN WAUGH (20m) tapping over the line from close in.

Pickering looked to get right back in the game after this set-back, Ben Lock hitting a decent effort that Ansbro held well, before the ‘keeper excelled with a superb fingertip save after the same player had waltzed his way through Ponte’s defence before firing in a shot from 6 yards.

At the other end, Guest hit a good 25 yard effort that Alex McDowell did really well to get down and palm away, the rebound being blasted wide by Wild.

This was a brief respite as the Pikes had the best chances before the break. Tom Fenwick had a free header which cleared the bar, before Cass was denied by yet another fingertip save from Ansbro in the Ponte goal.

The second half started with Pickering starting on the attack, Taylor but in a good cross to Lock, whose tame shot was blocked, however Wilstrop hit the rebound just over. At the other end, Ryan McDermott hit a volley on goal, but unfortunately it was straight at McDowell.

Lock then danced his way through Ponte’s tiring defence, hitting a lovely effort on target yet the midfielder was foiled once again by another super stop by Ponte’s overworked ‘keeper, Ansbro touching the ball onto the bar.

However, the goal that seemed certain to be coming was confirmed moments later. TOM FENWICK (52m) managed to slip right behind the Ponte backline and curled a lovely effort past Ansbro to deservedly draw the Pikes level.

The goal seemed to spur the home side on even further, a misplaced pass in defence allowed Robbie Seaton the chance to give the home side the lead, yet his effort was inches wide of the post. There was no let up from the home side as Fenwick’s free-kick was just wide before Jonny Sellars shot whistled past the post.

Surprisingly, Ponte nearly re-took the lead midway through the half – Leon Guest hit what seemed a certain goal, yet the ball rebounded off the bar and to safety.

Pickering, however, took the lead for the first time in the game soon afterwards. BEN LOCK (71m) got the goal he deserved with a well placed shot from the edge of the area.

This goal seemed to finally wake Ponte up, a chip over the top of the defence by Guest saw Wild turn the ball into the back of the net, yet the striker was deemed offside in the build up. Shortly after, Kieran Wright hit a decent effort just over the bar from the edge of the area.

Pickering then made the game safe with ten minutes left. A mix up between the defence and goalkeeper saw substitute GEORGE WILSON (80m) confirm the result with his first touch of the game.

Ponte were now demoralized and all that was left was for FENWICK (89m) to grab his second of the game after robbing Jack Hill of the ball and coolly finishing beyond Ansbro.

This was a poor performance by the Academy side, one that will ring alarm bells, especially after they so impressively dispatched Harrogate Railway only last week. And if it wasn’t for Danny Ansbro having a super game in goal, the scoreline could have been even worse. However, they have the perfect chance to turn things back around on Wednesday, when they entertain a Pocklington side they won 8-0 at in the season opener.

Team: Ansbro, Hill, Chapman, Waugh, Abbott (Shaw 64m), Green, Carrigan (Wright, HT), Guest, Osborne, Wild, McDermott

Teams

PIKES                                                                         COLLS

1        Alex McDOWELL                                    1        Danny ANSBRO

2        James HOPWOOD                                  2        Jack HILL

3        Josh WAITE                                          3        Grant CHAPMAN

4        Lewis TAYLOR                                       4        Ryan WAUGH

5        Steve JARMAN                                      5        Karl ABBOTT

6        Eddie CASS                                           6        Callum GREEN (C)

7        Ben LOCK                                             7        Aaron CARRIGAN

8        Jonny SELLARS                                     8        Leon GUEST

9        Tom FENWICK                                       9        Lewis OSBORNE

10      Robbie SEATON                                     10      Bradley WILD

11      Jamie WILSTROP                                    11      Ryan McDERMOTT

12      George WILSON (for Seaton, 80m)           12      Bradley SHAW (for Abbott, 64m)

14      Matt TOWEY (for Lock, 82m)                    14      Kieran WRIGHT (for Carrigan, HT)

15      Nick CRESSEY (for Jarman, 24m)

GOALS:

0-1 Waugh 20m; 1-1 Fenwick 52m; 2-1 Lock 71n; 3-1 Wilson 80m; 4-1 Fenwick 89m

BOOKINGS

Guest (Ponte); Hopwood (Pikes)