Mark Whitehouse (right) gave Pontefract Collieries the lead in their 2-1 win over Penistone Church
A second half own goal handed promotion-chasing Pontefract Collieries a hard fought 2-1 victory over surprise package Penistone Church at Beechnut Lane.
After losing in midweek, Pontefact returned to winning ways to stay fourth and in touch with the top three in the Toolstation NCEL Division title race.
Penistone substitute Scott Briggs had cancelled Mark Whitehouse’s first half strike before Jack Moore headed the ball into his own net which earned Ponte all three points.
As Pontefract joint manager Duncan Bray admitted, the game could have gone either way.
Both sides were ironically trying to bounce back from league defeats to Louth Town in difficult muddy conditions at Ponte.
Penistone, whose start to life in the NCEL has been tremendous, lived up to their reports of being hard to beat.
Their run of six league wins and a draw came to an end last week and Penistone looked extremely sharp in the opening ten minutes.
Inside 60 seconds, Pontefract were lucky to avoid going 1-0 behind as former Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Andy Ring got behind home captain Nigel Danby.
But, the experienced Ring somehow found the wrong side of the post with a low effort as top Collieries goalkeeper Craig Parry raced out.
Andy Ring should have put Penistone Church in front after just one minute
Action from Pontefract Collieries 2-1 Penistone Church
Ian Richards urging Penistone Church on from the side-lines
With Bray urging his side on from the side-lines, Pontefract grew livelier. Liam Radford headed over as Penistone began to be put under pressure.
Church also lost some attacking vigour as Ring was forced off with a hamstring problem.
Pontefract defender Adam Robinson did have to clear a Mark Crossfield effort off-the-line, but the home side finished the half strongly.
A number of Pontefract corners followed and the opening goal soon arrived.
Penistone captain Danny Howes’ crazy shirt pull presented Collieries with a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and Whitehouse reciprocated by bending the ball into the bottom corner.
Pontefract started the second half well with Radford and centre-half Tom Copping going close.
Penistone’s equaliser was scored against the run of play.
Alvin Riley’s deep in-swinging free kick wasn’t dealt with and fellow substitute Briggs, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes, headed home from close range.
Despite the blow, Pontefract didn’t let their heads drop. Another string of consecutive corners ended with the winner.
Whitehouse’s corner from right was heading into Church goalkeeper Sam Barratt’s hands until Moore, on the near post, headed it past him to spell disaster for Penistone.
Pontefract closed the game out well defensively with Parry untested as Penistone struggled to create rhythm going forward.
The Collieries even had chances to extend their lead with Craig Rouse firing just wide, but the two goals were enough for Pontefract to regain their mojo.
Pontefract Collieries joint manager Duncan Bray:
“It was a tight game and it could have gone either way.
“It was a sloppy pitch and it was mainly a battling performance, but it was good to get back battling after losing in midweek.
“We created a few chances early on and they missed a chance early on so it was always going to be won by the odd goal.
“They were definitely the better side for the first ten minutes, but I felt for the last 20 minutes of the half that we started to get on top.
“We had a load of corners and a few headers that just went wide.
“We might have shaded it, but if it had finished a draw, I don’t think anyone could have complained.”
Penistone Church manager Ian Richards:
“We’re bitterly disappointed because it is two in a row that we have now lost after an excellent run of winning seven and drawing one against some very good sides.
“Today was disappointing because we started the better team, the brighter team and we had a great chance and normally Andy Ring would put that in the back of the net.
“If he had scored it would have been a different game. We would have been ahead and they would have had to chase it.
“I think they played the conditions better. They were better at set-pieces and a little bit more physical and it cost us.
“It could have gone either way. You have to take your chances away from home against good sides.
“At 1-1 I thought |’d take a point away at Pontefract, but again we let them into it and gave away some silly corners.
“It added a bit of pressure and they scored from one. It is the first time we have played at this level and it is for some of the lads and I just said to them that they have to learn how to play against the better teams in the league.
“It was a very even match and a draw may have been a fair result.”
Pontefract Collieries: Parry, C Robinson, A Robinson, Danby (captain), Copping, Joseph (Kamara 72), Hicks, Radford (Marsden 86), Rouse, Whitehouse. Subs unused: Corbett, Heeley, Bray.
Penistone Church: Barratt, Lee, Howes (captain), Jones, Whitehead (Briggs 60), Lovell, Richards, Moore, Crossfield, Dickinson (Esley 74), Ring (Riley 38). Subs unused: Ellis, Young.
Referee: Dominic Bell
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 66
Man of the match: Nigel Danby (Pontefract Collieries)
The photos from Pontefract’s win will be available on our Facebook page from midday.