Aaron Moxam got both goals in Pontefract’s FA Cup victory at Penistone Church
Aaron Moxam was the difference for Pontefract Collieries in the 2-0 victory at Penistone Church in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie.
There was little between the sides, but Moxam had the clinical touch to ensure a clash with either Runcorn Linnets or arch rivals Glasshoughton Welfare in the next stage.
Penistone will look back at Andy Ring’s glorious chance at start of the second half when the scores were tied at 0-0 and think what might have been.
Despite the defeat, Penistone can be proud as their FA Cup debut drew a big crowd and the performance earned some redemption for their 7-0 embarrassment on GroundHop day in April.
Church had an all round stronger team out and put up a good fight against a strong Pontefract defence which was led by man of the match Luke Danville.
Apart a John Whitehead header that flashed wide of the post, Pontefract had the majority of opportunities in front of goal in the first half.
Unsurprisingly Moxam was at the forefront of them both. He should have done better with the first one after firing a weak shot at Adam Rhodes despite being in acres of space.
Moxam soon got another attempt to score and although his effort had plenty of venom, Rhodes stood firm to deflect the effort away with his feet.
Pontefract midfielder Luke Forgione plays a pass
Big moment: Pontefract goalkeeper Craig Parry about to win the battle of wits with Andy Ring
And then Moxam made Penistone pay
Danny Barlow made his Pontefract debut
Josh Corbett in action for Pontefract
Luke Danville was superb for Pontefract Collieries
The one brief moment that Pontefract’s defence switched off, it nearly cost them.
Only two minutes had gone in the second half when former Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Ring burst through on goal and only had Pontefract goalkeeper Craig Parry to beat.
The stopper, one of the best in the whole of the NCEL, held his position and managed to divert the shot for a corner.
As it turned out, Parry made a match-winning save.
Pontefract did not need another warning and within minutes, Moxam slipped in and buried a low drive past Rhodes – against the run of play and during a period when Penistone were on top.
The Collieries still had to work to do though as Ian Richards’ men did throw the towel in – they just found it hard to break down the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side.
Moxam then wrapped up Pontefract’s victory in the 73rd minute with an exact replica of the opener.
Penistone Church manager Ian Richards:
“I think we have done ourselves justice from the last game with Pontefract and given a true representation of how we can play.
“I think we matched them for 90 minutes and it showed that in football it is small margins that can make a difference on the day.
“I had no problem with Andy Ring’s performance because I thought his all-round play was excellent, but he got his two chances didn’t take them.
“Aaron Moxam got his two chances and put them in the back of the net.
“However, the lads have been brilliant in the build-up and with their performances.
“As you can see around the crowd, we have had a great attendance and there was a good atmosphere.
“It is excellent for the football club as a whole and today can only be a good thing and I hope it is not a one off.”
Pontefract Collieries joint manager Nick Handley:
“It was a professional job. We knew coming to Penistone that we faced a lot of hard work because of the way the management team set them up.
“I said to the lads before the game that they would have to work hard and be patient. Simply because we knew they would be wound-up because of the last time we played them.
“I said the same at half-time, but also said to pick them off as the game went on, which we did.
“We were lucky not to go 1-0 down and I’ve just said to Craig Parry that he always does it and the lads have to thank him because we went to sleep.”
Penistone Church: Rhodes, Cadzow, Howes (captain), Ellis, Whitehead, Lovell, Richards, Jones (Exley 62), Crossfield (Hall 73), Dickinson (Young 73), Ring. Subs unused: Lee, Briggs.
Pontefract Collieries: Parry, Heeley, Corbett, Forgione, Danville (captain), Robinson (Staley 30), Radford, Barlow, Williams (Catton 55), Moxam, Whitehouse (Jerome 58). Subs unused: Marsden, Chappell, Copping.
Referee: Martin Fryer
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 220
Man of the match: Luke Danville (Pontefract Collieries)