Scarborough Athletic U19s 1:3 Pontefract Collieries U19s
Northern U19s Alliance
Monday 20th February, 2012 

The U19s Academy side of Pontefract went a staggering eleven points clear at the top of the Northern Youth Alliance – Eastern Division on Monday night with a comprehensive defeat of bottom of the table Scarborough Athletic.

Despite missing the influential Callum Green in midfield, and young stopper Danny Ansbro in goal, it gave the chance for manager John Redford to bring in Tom King and first team player Connor Rollinson.

On a cold night in Pickering, it was the Colls who started off much the stronger side – midfielder Leon Guest, who had a cracking game all evening, was inches away from connecting to a through ball early on before the same player brilliantly won the ball in the middle of the park, before crossing for Warren Redford who was inches away with a volley.

Osborne blasted just wide from a corner kick and then Ponte saw their closest chance yet as a Guest free-kick fell to Redford, who flicked the ball up toward goal, only to see it come back off the crossbar. Oldham then fed Osborne who looked to race away on goal, but the striker was called back for a harsh offside decision.

Redford then had an effort that was just wide, but was fouled just as he was shooting. Rob Oldham’s free-kick was blocked, but from the ensuing cross, Osborne headed just wide of the target.

Then, Scarborough’s first real attack on goal saw a sliding move across the middle ending up with Aidan Thomas shooting first time on target, Tom King making a fine save to keep the stalemate.

As the first half drew to a close, Osborne was nearly in again but some last ditch defending ensured the striker couldn’t test Rory Skelton. Ponte had had all the possession and pretty much all the chances in the first half, and you felt that if they got just the one goal it would settle them. However, there was also the danger that the longer the game went on, the more nervous the visitors would be come.

Thankfully, Redford’s charges came fired up after the break, keen to start where they had left off. Osborne fed Redford junior, who looked to pass the ball beyond Skelton yet the younger stopper pulled off an excellent point blank save to keep his side in the game.

Unfortunately for the home side, the next chance saw Ponte deservedly take the lead. A driving run forward from Oldham left his would-be markers trailing in his wake. The captain put in a lovely cross to REDFORD (49m) to coolly put the ball beyond Skelton, despite the home ‘keeper getting a hand to the shot.

Osborne then had two quick fire chances, both made by the surging runs from midfield of Connor Rollinson, yet the striker just couldn’t find the target.

With only their second effort of the game though, the home side were level. Some poor defending at the back allowed LUKE FOSTER (63m) a clean run through on goal, and despite Grant Chapman closing down the angle, the winger fired low and under Tom King’s hands.

The goal could have unsettled Ponte, but if anything, it made them even more determined to re-take the lead. It took just three minutes! Rollinson, again with another impressive driving run forward, played a one-two with Redford, who laid off for Osborne to shoot. Skelton came up with another great save, yet he could do nothing as ROLLINSON (66m) put away the rebound.

Some lovely one touch passing in the middle of the park saw the ball eventually worked toward Aaron Carrigan, who had another great game out on the left side, but the diminutive winger couldn’t get the decisive touch as the ball was just claimed by Skelton.

A rare let off for the home side saw Jack Appleton hit a fierce free-kick from fully 30 yards out that just dipped the wrong side of the post.

Back at the other end of the field, Rollinson was tormenting the home side once again, taking on the defence from the halfway line this time and leaving the defender’s trailing before disappointingly shooting wide in the area.

Then, Ponte finally put the game to bed as Osborne was tripped in the box giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. REDFORD (77m) did the honours from the spot and sent Skelton the wrong way to make the game safe.

If anything, after going 3-1 up, Ponte finally started to relax and created chance upon chance. Redford forced yet another save from the impressive Skelton after leaving the defence behind him, Guest foiled by a last ditch challenge after a lovely one-two with Redford, before Oldham’s shot from the edge of the box was well held.

With the game coming to a close, it was still all Ponte – this time Oldham turned provider for substitute Jack Hill who unfortunately hit his effort well over the bar. Then, Guest turned his defender inside and out before putting in a cross that was nearly deflected in for an own goal, only for that man Skelton to come out with another point blank stop.

This was a frustrating game for Ponte, who in truth deserved to win this game by a much greater margin. But, a combination of the ball just not falling for them, and a superb performance in goal by the home stopper saw the scoreline restricted.

There were some impressive performances, particularly from Aaron Carrigan who was full of running and trickery throughout, Leon Guest whose tiger-ish like display in the middle of the park ensured the home side had no respite from his battling and driving runs, and Connor Rollinson who, once he hit the accelerator, was no match for the home defence.

But the man of the match was Ryan McDermott, who has performed superbly after coming back into the side. He rarely put a foot wrong in the game, his passing was accurate, and he frequently supported the wingers in their raids forward.

Manager John Redford commented, “I don’t think there was any person more nervous in the ground than me! But I think that may have been reflected on the players slightly, as despite us dominating possession we just couldn’t get that break in front of goal. I had full confidence that once we went ahead we would take the points. I was very impressed though, that once they had drawn level, we immediately re-took the lead and we never looked back from there. I’d urge everyone to come down for next Wednesday’s match, which is a potential title decider.

That match, next week, is against Pickering at the White Rose Stadium, Beechnut Lane, with a 7.45pm kick off. The game could see the first silverware of the season for a  Pontefract side, and a first ever league title for the Under-19s. To add even more spice to the game, Pickering are Pontefract’s bogey side this season, having beaten the Colls 4-1 away, and 4-2 at home in the league cup.

Team: King, McDermott, Chapman (Allen 85), Waugh (Hill 79), Abbott, Guest, Oldham ©, Rollinson, Osborne, Redford, Carrigan (Gresham 85)