Ash Flynn had two glorious chances for AFC Emley in the 0-0 draw with Pontefract
Nothing was won or lost at the top end of the Toolstation NCEL Division One after Pontefract Collieries and AFC Emley saw out a lacklustre 0-0 draw.
The horrible wet and windy conditions had a huge impact on proceedings and both teams struggled to create chances in the highly-anticipated match.
It is the second week running where a showpiece NCEL fixture has been ruined by the conditions.
Leaders Emley had the most clear-cut chances with Ash Flynn twice getting into good positions.
He firstly bizarrely hit the corner flag with an effort and then wasted the best opening of the game.
The striker was able to sprint away from the Pontefract and forced Craig Parry to rush out of his goal.
Unfortunately for Emley, Flynn blazed the ball wide of the goal.
Pontefract’s position was put under threat when they were reduced to ten men at the end of the first half.
Former Bradford (Park Avenue) midfielder Phil Lindley, playing alongside Nigel Danby in defence for Ponte, was shown a second yellow card after hauling down Antony Brown.
That threatened to derail third-placed Ponte’s attempt to go level on points with leaders Emley, but to be fair to the home side, they were the better side in the second half.
Led by Danby, Pontefract’s defence were excellent – heading and kicking every single piece of danger which was thrown at them.
Pontefract caused numerous problems without properly testing Emley goalkeeper Adam Lawlor and the visitors could have perhaps been happy when the final whistle went.
Collieries really gained a head of steam late-on and Emley had to concede a throw-in in a dangerous area.
Ponte wanted to keep the pressure on by taking quick-throw-in only to be stopped by the referee Danny Guest as his assistant Ian Cox’s flag had collapsed.
Guest bizarrely disappeared into the changing room for a minute to retrieve an item to fix the problem and by the time the game reconvened, Emley had regrouped and the throw-in was dealt with.
That summed-up the game and it was finally brought to a close after eight minutes of injury-time which seemed like an eternity.
Pontefract Collieries: Parry, Heeley, Corbett, Danby (captain), Lindley, Forgione, Catton (Marsden 95), Joseph, Radford (Rouse 90), Moxam, Whitehouse (Hicks 97). Subs unused: A Robinson, C Robinson.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Brook, Starkey, Leech, S Jerome, Sykes (captain), Tunnacliffe, Townend, Flynn (R Jerome 85), Brown (Hallam 65), Claridge (Kenworthy 65). Subs unused: Thornton, Ingham.
Referee: D Guest
Ref Rating: 5/10
Attendance: 128
Man of the match: Josh Corbett (Pontefract Collieries)