Pontefract Collieries 2:2 Glasshoughton Welfare
Baris Northern Counties East League, Division One
Monday 26th December, 2011

Hero Twibey celebrates his late equaliser

Pontefract Collieries stalwart Dean Twibey rescued an unlikely point for Ponte in their local, and highly charged derby match with rivals Glasshoughton Welfare at the White Rose Stadium on Boxing Day. Coming back from behind twice, Twibey struck with just two minutes goal to net just his second ever goal for the club in 97 appearances, after Paul Sykes had given the Blues the lead after the sides earlier exchanged penalties with Ponte old-boy Carl Fothergill, and Liam Ormsby.

An extremely blustery day saw both sides struggle to make an impression, especially the hosts who were playing into the wind at the start. The first ten minutes pretty much belonged to the visitors, Lee Kelsey making a decent save from an impressive overhead kick by Alex Booth, before Nathan Dixon hit a lovely effort against the bar from a corner kick.

The Collieries responded well, with Greig McGrory managing to get beyond Glasshoughton’s last defender, but unfortunately his effort was straight at Blues ‘keeper Simon Kemp. At the other end, Andy Seed hit an effort wide from some good hold up play by striker Liam Radford.

Carl Fothergill sends Kelsey the wrong way to open the scoring for the visitors

Just after the quarter-hour mark though, Glasshoughton took the lead from the spot. Nick Handley attempted to clear the ball inside his own area, but a visiting player was also attacking the ball, the referee adjudged that Ponte’s centre-back’s foot was too high, pointing to the spot where ex-Colls star CARL FOTHERGILL (17m) made no mistake in sending Kelsey the wrong way.

Liam Ormsby draws the sides level from the spot

Another ex-Ponte player, Luke Smith, then had a decent free-kick on target that was saved by Kelsey, before the equalising goal came – again from the spot. Greig McGrory showed good close control in the area to take the ball away from Rian Sykes, but the visiting right-back put his foot in with McGrory being tripped inside the area. LIAM ORMSBY (24m) decided to take the responsibilities, and exorcised the memory of his last kick by confidently sending Kemp the wrong way to draw the sides level.

Ryan Poskitt and Paul Sykes then traded shots at either end of the pitch, which came to no danger, before a hearts in mouths moment for Ponte fans as a Smith free-kick found Booth unmarked on the far post, but thankfully his header was over the bar.

Soon afterwards, it was Glasshoughton who were thankful for a slice of good fortune. A floated cross from winger Will Ramsay just failed to find Greig McGrory, but hit defender Luke Forgione, who knew little about it, but was thankfully to see Kemp end up safely gathering the ball when it could easily have been an own goal.

McGrory was again impressive in the box, this time his cross was cut out by Seed, with Gareth Roberts header clearing the crossbar. Back in the Ponte area, Fothergill hit a shot just wide of the targhet.

The second half saw a completely different team from the Colls side that showed up at the same period in the first half, Poskitt hitting a cross that hit a defender only to come back off the bar! From the deflection, Scott McGrory hit two really good shots on goal that were amazingly repelled both time by Kemp.

It was all Ponte now, Handley heading over a Poskitt delivery before some last ditch defending saw Connor Rollinson denied at the near post.

Paul Sykes puts the Castleford side into the lead

However, against the run of play Glasshoughton retook the lead. A great passing move forward saw the Ponte defence completely bypassed, allowing PAUL SYKES (62m) a clear run on goal, and the midfielder kept his cool to calmly slot home beyond Kelsey’s despairing dive.

The goal seemed to wake the visitors up, and indeed they had the best of the second half from now on. Andy Seed hit a shot wide and Fothergill had an effort blocked before Glasshoughton could have made the game safe. Some poor defending at the back saw Dixon beat the offside trap and with Ponte’s defence still disputing the decisioin, they nearly saw the Blues make the game safe. Dixon hit his effort from a tight angle beyond Kelsey, yet somehow the ball hit the post and then agonisingly rolled along the goal-line until cleared at the last minute! A real let off for Ponte, who hadn’t created much after the visitors’ second goal.

Dean Twibey comes to Ponte's rescue - not for the first time!

However, there was still time for Ponte! A great run forward by newcomer Andy Bugg saw the player put in a low cross that completely cut out the Glasshoughton defence. Ormsby missed the ball but thankfully, DEAN TWIBEY (88m) was on hand in the area to sidefoot home inside the box.

The goal once again galvanised Ponte and they threw everything at the visitors in search of the winner. A real route one effort saw Kelsey’s goal-kick head all the way through to Bugg, whose effort was deflected for a corner.

An Ormsby free-kick just missed everyone in the area, substitute James McDaid hit an effort from distance that was well held, before Kemp excelled once again – bravely diving at the feet of Bugg right at the death.

Although not one of the best quality games, largely due to the wind affecting both sides’ attempts to play decent football, this was a game of high drama and one that was right in the balance until the end. Glasshoughton may feel aggrieved having had the majority of possession and conceding so late, yet Ponte were dangerous on the break and scored when they needed to.

To view full Facebook photo album from the game, click here

Pontefract Collieries: Lee Kelsey, Dean Twibey, Stephen Edwards, Nick Handley (captain), Gareth Roberts, Scott McGrory, Ryan Poskitt (repl. James McDaid, 80), Liam Ormsby, Will Ramsay, Greig McGrory, Connor Rollinson (repl. Andy Bugg, 80)

Subs not used: Tom Robinson, Leon Guest, Gary Lumley

Goals: Liam Ormsby (24, pen), Dean Twibey (88)

Cautions: Scott McGrory, Liam Ormsby, Will Ramsay