Pontefract’s destiny in their own hands

Win their next two games and Pontefract Collieries will end their 15-year-long exile from the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division.

The dream is closer to becoming a reality after that man Aaron Moxam scored a dramatic late winner in the 1-0 Division One victory over Knaresborough Town at Beechnut Lane.

Pontefract’s destiny is in their own hands as Duncan Bray and Nick Handley’s men travel to Hemsworth Miners Welfare on Tuesday night.

Three points will end Hemsworth’s own hopes and would mean that promotion can secured at Lincoln Moorlands Railway on Saturday with two games to spare.

Pontefract were incredibly lucky in an awful match of few chances.

The heavy wind destroyed any chance of a proper contest so Pontefract were far from the side that cantered to a 7-0 victory at Penistone Church on GroundHop weekend.

Collieries had several players missing including Lee Bennett, Iwan Heeley (suspended) and Luke Danville (injured).

Knaresborough were without striker Colin Heath.

Both defences were on top for the whole game. Returning Pontefract skipper Nigel Danby and Phil Lindley kept Knaresborough striker Mitch Hamilton quiet. Lindley’s appearance is a good omen for Pontefract as they have kept ten clean sheets in his 12 appearances this season.

But, to be fair to Knaresborough, Matt Duerden and Will Lenehan didn’t give Pontefract a sniff either until the death.

There were half chances. Danby went close with a header early on and then wasted a glorious chance with a dangerous free kick in the second half.

Pontefract came strong and they were building up a head of steam late-on. Jack Rushworth was equal to a Moxam strike from a difficult angle.

The best chance to still to arrive which it did with five minutes to go.

A though ball saw the Knaresborough defence breached for the one and only time of the game. Moxam, in acres of space, was never to miss as he slid the ball past Rushworth – his 30th goal of the season.

There was more joy to follow as news of Shirebrook’s equaliser against AFC Emley filtered through. A Collieries supporter greeted the goal with a loud “get in”.

The day could not have got much better for Pontefract, who know what they have to do in the games ahead.

Pontefract Collieries joint manager Duncan Bray:

“A draw would have been a fair result. We didn’t play and the conditions were really bad with the wind, but sometimes it is about grinding results out.

“Luckily we had one good chance in the game and the Mox buried. That was the difference.

“I think Knaresborough had one chance where Craig Parry got down well and saved and we had one chance and we stuck it in the bottom corner.

“I’m happy with the result, but considering the performance, delighted. The lads are relaxed and confident, but with the conditions it was about getting what we can out of the game.”

Knaresborough Town manager Brian Davey:

“It was a difficult place to come to. The pitch is bone dry, the wind is strong and they’re top of the league.

“We have come with a weakened side and we thought it would be a hard game.

“For me, over 90 minutes there wasn’t a lot in it. Our lads did ever so well to hold them at 0-0 for so long.

“We deserved a point and I was disappointed for the lads. Last week at Worsbrough we won 4-0, but in the first half we were awful.

“Today everyone lifted their game, worked hard and fought for each other and didn’t get anything out of it.”

Pontefract Collieries: Parry, Copping (Joseph 37), Corbett, Danby (captain), Lindley, Forgione, Catton, Hayton, Rouse (Radford 57), Moxam, Whitehouse (Marsden 82). Subs unused: Bray, Handley.
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Pascal, Littlefair, Duerden (captain), Lenehan, Bradley, Parkes, Tuck, Serrano, Hamilton, Whitehead. Subs unused: Wilson, Lock, Gray.
Referee: Mark Smith
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 87
Man of the match: Will Lenehan (Knaresborough Town)