Pontefract Collieries 3:0 Bottesford Town
Baris Northern Counties East League, First Division
Saturday 18^th February, 2012

Steve Lyon put in a masterful performance, including a match-winning hat-trick

Steve “Lightning” Lyon scored a timely hat-trick to see off Bottesford at The White Rose Stadium and maintain The Colls’ cushion at the top of the Baris NCEL First Division.

On a windy afternoon in Pontefract, the teams had to cope with the conditions and the imperfect Beechnut Lane pitch. Pontefract enjoyed the benefit of the wind in their backs in the first half, and took full advantage by pinning their visitors in their half during the opening exchanges. Having been notoriously slow-starters in many games during the course of the season, Pontefract seemed determined to buck the trend, going at their opponents from the off.

James McDaid figured heavily in the opening salvos, with much of Pontefract’s good work taking place down his left flank. McDaid had the game’s first attempt on goal, but his 30-yard effort was largely speculative, and was comfortably held by Bottesford’s ‘keeper Rob Zand. McDaid shortly followed his opening effort with a fine run, picking up a loose ball on the left before driving forward on a run that saw him beat three men and laying the ball back into the path of Scott McGrory on the edge of the penalty area. McGrory was closed down quickly, but stepped around his marker and set himself to shoot, before a wicked bobble made sure that his effort was lifted high and wide of the target.

Scott McGrory then turned provider, setting up Steve Lyon, whose left-footed blast was low and on target, but was aimed straight at Zand, who gathered the ball at the second attempt.

When McGrory’s brother Greig was fouled, on the left hand side of the box, Ryan Poskitt sent his free-kick over the wall, but his effort curled wide of the near post.

James McDaid attempts an audacious overhead kick

As The Colls pressed for the opener, a scramble ensued in the Bottesford goalmouth. When the ball skewed into the air off a defender, James McDaid, finding himself with back to goal, executed a fine overhead kick that beat the ‘keeper but flew inches wide of the net.

McDaid was set up for another attempt on goal by Greig McGrory who, having been fed by Liam Ormsby with his back to goal, held off his markers before laying the ball back into the path of McDaid. Unfortunately, “The Ponte Bobble” struck again, and McDaid’s 25-yard effort flew high, wide and not so handsome.

With McDaid bringing other players into the game with the keen eye of a seasoned pro, Pontefract’s left flank was proving to be their most creative area. McDaid fed Ormsby with a fine back-heel that released the youngster down the flank, but the Bottesford defender did well to shepherd Ormsby away from danger. Scott McGrory repeated the same trick seconds later, this time releasing Stephen Edwards with a back-heel. Edwards – enjoying an assured performance throughout the game – raced down the flank before cutting inside towards the penalty area. As he shaped to pick out a team-mate, he was unceremoniously hacked down, just outside the box. Ryan Poskitt curled the resultant free-kick inches over the bar, and the visitors breathed again.

With the half-hour mark approaching, Bottesford had rarely escaped beyond the half-way line, a fact that was highlighted by the assistant referee, who had barely moved from his position on the half-way line, and Lee Kelsey – who seemed to have taken up a permanent position 35 yards from his own goal.

Lyon turns and shoots into the far corner of the net

However, despite their dominance of possession and and being camped in their visitors half of the pitch, The Colls were starting to get edgy as the interval approached, as they had failed to convert their dominance into goals and the realisation that the visitors would be buoyed by enjoying the wind in their favour after the interval. It was essential that Ponte scored before the break. With most of Ponte’s chances having emanated from the left, it was guaranteed that the goal would come from the right. Dean Twibey, who had spent most of the first half in the opposition’s half in conjunction with Ryan Poskitt, broke into the box, beating two men before sliding the ball into the feet of Steve Lyon. Lyon, despite having his back to goal, turned his marker and drilled a left foot shot low into the corner of the net.

Within seconds of the re-start, Bottesford were reduced to ten men. Straight from the kick-off, the visitors lost the ball to McDaid, who was instantly cut down by a two-footed challenge by Greg Andrews. Referee Jane Simms – who managed the game exceptionally from start to finish, as befits an official on FIFA’s fast-track list – had no hesitation in showing a straight red card, and found little resistance from the Bottesford players.

Lyon fires his second goal past Zand

Before the visitors had re-adjusted to their numerical disadvantage, they were two down. Lyon was released in acres of space down the left flank. The prolific striker drove into the box before striking home, again with his left foot, low beyond the outstretched hand of Zand.

Despite Kelsey having been a spectator in the first half and The Colls being a man to the good, there was doubt that a two-goal lead would be insurmountable, such was the strength of the wind blowing down from Pontefract Park. They need not have worried, as Lyon settled any nerves with his third within four minutes of the re-start.

Pontefract started the second half as they had left off in the first: on the offensive. When McDaid’s cross was cleared, Scott McGrory picked the ball up on the edge of the box. McGrory’s shot was heading wide of the upright, but Lyon was on hand to divert the ball beyond Zand and into the roof of the net.

Proving he is human after all: Lyon misses from close range with a hat-trick already in the bag!

The “Ponte Bobble” proved that it does not discriminate, as it robbed Bottesford’s Nathan Plumtree of a goalscoring opportunity, ensuring that the substitute’s shot was skewed high and wide. With Bottesford enjoying more of the play after the interval, the game became more stretched. Pontefract should have scored a fourth on the hour, when Lyon found himself meeting a cross at the far post. Having secured his hat trick already, the striker volleyed over from six yards with the goal at his mercy, and was greeted with ironic jeers by the home crowd.

James McDaid repeated his first half efforts when he cut inside and beat two men before shooting inches wide of the near upright.

As Bottesford pressed in search of a way back into the game, Paul Morrill missed their best opportunity when he headed over the bar from eight yards out.

With the game entering its final quarter of an hour, Brendon Ormsby made a treble substitution, replacing McDaid, Poskitt and hat-trick hero Lyon with Will Ramsay, James Hicks and Gareth Roberts.

As the game neared its end, Scott McGrory was upended 30 yards from goal when driving forward. Liam Ormsby took the free-kick, clearing the wall but sending his effort harmlessly wide.

The Colls saw out the game without incident, adding a clean sheet to their three goals, with the back line of Edwards, Lumley, Robinson and Twibey coping comfortably with any potential threats.

Brendon Ormsby was delighted with his players' attitude and application

With promotion rivals Albion Sports suffering a heavy defeat at second-placed Handsworth and Worksop’s game at Hallam postponed, Pontefract took full advantage of the opportunity to extend their points advantage over their rivals. With the team now having two free weekends as their rivals play “catch up”, this victory was essential in ensuring that The Colls will still be in the promotion places at the top of the table when they next play.

Pontefract: Lee Kelsey, Dean Twibey (captain), Stephen Edwards, Tom Robinson, Gary Lumley, Scott McGrory, Ryan Poskitt (repl. Gareth Roberts, 76), Liam Ormsby, Steve Lyon (repl. James Hicks, 76), Greig McGrory, James McDaid (repl. Will Ramsay, 76)

Sub unused: Duncan Bray, Connor Rollinson

Goals: Steve Lyon (30, 33, 49)

Cautions: none