Pontefract Collieries ease to victory over Armthorpe Welfare

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Words and pictures by James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
Pontefract Collieries joint boss Nicky Handley lavished praise on his side after a comfortable 2-0 win over higher-league Armthorpe Welfare.
Star striker Kingsley Wetherald netted both goals in the first half and Ponte easily saw the game out without too much trouble.
The Toolstation NCEL Division One side are hoping to mount promotion bid once again and Handley admitted that the performance was ideal preparation for the new season.
“We started slow, but we were the better team,“ said Handley, whose side host Winterton Rangers in eight days’ time on the opening day.
“We created the most chances. They didn’t do what we asked them in the first few minutes, but then we settled into the patten of what we’re playing.
“We asked them to do something different, without giving too much away. Once they got to grips with it in the first few minutes, we looked dangerous going forward and fluent.
“The first goal from a cross by the centre-half was like a winger’s cross. It was a good goal and the second goal was good because the movement was good.
“We were looking sharp and it bodes well.”
Handley and Duncan Bray have assembled a good squad for the second year running.
Wetherald and his fellow top local players such as Liam Radford, Josh Corbett, Andy Catton and Mark Simpson return for another campaign at Skinner Lane.

Just 12 minutes had passed when Ponte went in front.
Armthorpe failed to properly clear a corner and former Worsbrough Bridge defender Tom Coppin superbly crossed the ball back into the box, towards the back-post.
Armthorpe goalkeeper Will Biggs should have claimed it, but he jumped and got nowhere near the ball.
Wetherald leapt like a salmon and headed home from close range.
The night didn’t get any better for the visitors, who showed promise in good areas but never properly tested Collieries goalkeeper Craig Parry.
The Armthorpe defence suddenly opened up on 26 minutes. Quick movement allowed new midfielder Lee Swift, a member of Shaw Lane’s promotion-winning squad, to play a killer pass to Catton eight yards out.
Biggs raced out and Catton chose to be unselfish and passed to his left so Wetherald had the straightforward finish into the open goal.
Wetherald did blot his copybook before half-time. Referee Aaron Bannister had no choice but to break the unwritten rule of pre-season friendlies by showing a yellow card to the striker for a poor challenge on Armthorpe’s Brad Johnston – a decision that Handley said was correct.

The second half was a non-event. Armthorpe rarely threatened, while Handley and his fellow manager Bray got a run-out for Pontefract.
Towards the end, Jack Walters and Bhekisipho Sibanda went close with attempts for Armthorpe.
The latter’s header was the last act of a night to forget for Armthorpe boss Brian Johnston.
Johnston, cut a frustrated figure on the side-lines, and he admitted his unhappiness.
“I was disappointed with the first half, but the second half was a bit better,” he said.
“We didn’t get things right from the start. We looked at a couple of trialists, but they’re not up to what we thought.
“We played a system and a player we played was like an inflated balloon as he was just going all over. He didn’t keep the shape and it made them have room to exploit us and they did.”
Pontefract look ready for the new season, while Armthorpe may think they need more time before their opening game with Worksop Town.
Pontefract Collieries: Parry, Twibey, Corbett, Swift, Coppin, Mwambe, Catton, Radford, McKeegan, Wetherald, Simpson. Subs: Handley, Bray, Marsden, Oldham.
Armthorpe Welfare: Biggs, Hardman, Bunn, Garner, Walkden, Johnston, Benson, Preston, Lee, Dunn, McLaughlin. Subs: Ryan, Baskerville, Sibanda, Lloyd, Icurde, Walters, Copley, Rowley.
Referee: Aaron Bannister (West Yorkshire)
Man of the match: Kingsley Wetherald (Pontefract Collieries)