Pontefract Collieries under 12s started the new year as they finished the old one, with two excellent displays over the weekend.

On Saturday, the team travelled to Thorpe, and returned home with a hard-earned three points. The team were in terrific form, once they had shaken off the rustiness of the Christmas break. The team enjoyed the vast majority of possession, restricting their opponents through some hard work without the ball. In fact, Thorpe were not allowed a single attempt on goal during the entire match.

A cool finish from Josh Powell and a brace from Brogan Foster sealed the win for Ponte, who completed a 3:0 win to consolidate their position at the top of the table.

24 hours later, the team were in action again. This time they travelled to Thornes in the County Cup. The clash was a high profile game between two “Champions League” teams: while Ponte claimed the Selby & District Junior Football League title during then 2010-11 season, Thornes were claiming the Charles Rice Sunday League title.

Fittingly, given the occasion, the game got off to a frantic start, with the tackles flying in.

Pontefract drew first blood. The opener was scored by Isaac Leach, who finished brilliantly from an acute angle, having pounced on a free kick that had been deflected away from goal. The second also emanated from a free kick: this one was more direct, with Sam Wright’s effort flying straight into the net.

In the second half Ponte turned the screw, with brilliant finishes from Isaac Leach (again), Fraser Walker and Josh Powell.

Throughout a terrific weekend, the back line of Brad Watson, Mitch McHugh, Sam Wright and Ben Watts were as water tight as ever to keep another two clean sheets. The relentless running of midfielders Josh Powell, Isaac Leach, Morgan Parsons, Coby Glew, Fraser Walker, Benji Morton, Joe Winstanley and Zak Wilkinson drove Ponte forward and fed balls to the energetic strike force of Brogan Foster and Ty Bryer.

Sunday’s win sees Ponte through to the quarter finals of the County Cup.

Well done lads awesome over the two days!