Craig Rouse (pictured) and Craig Parry took charge of Pontefract Collieries
Manager-less Pontefract Collieries ended a turbulent week with a 4-3 victory over local rivals Garforth Town.
Nick Handley’s abrupt exit on Wednesday evening shook the Non League world, but his players turned out to earn Pontefract all three points.
However, Pontefract almost threw them away as Garforth mounted a spirited comeback in Adrian Costello’s first Toolstation NCEL Premier Division game in charge of the Miners.
Pontefract, managed by Craig Parry and Craig Rouse, flew out of the blocks and by the half-hour mark, Liam Radford had scored and Jack Mawson had claimed a double.
Garforth’s fightback began with a Sinmi Oyebanji tap-in. Oyebanji then crossed for Curtly Martin-Wyatt to score from close range.
This was all before half-time in a game that was littered with yellow cards.
Pontefract restored the two goal advantage with Luke Danville’s header from inside the six-yard box straight after the interval.
Radford then missed two excellent chances before the red mist descended. The striker made an an early exit after allegedly stamping on Garforth midfielder Ash Preece.
More hope arrived for Garforth when Martin-Wyatt scored from the penalty spot after Danny Harris was taken out by Pontefract goalkeeper Ellis Halpine.
Pontefract held on and attention now turns to the identity of their new chairman who is set to take charge and appoint Handley’s replacement.
Pontefract Collieries: Halpine, Catton, Corbett, Danville (captain), Lindley, Forgione, Joseph, Haigh, Radford, Mawson, Whitehouse. Subs: Heeley, Lumb, Reece, Schofield.
Garforth Town: Hunter, Kilby, Robertson, McMillan, Alali (captain), McCarthy, Oyebanji, Reece, Martin-Wyatt, Lund, Harris. Subs: Clarkson, Marshall, Smith.
Referee: Andrew Dallison
Attendance: 97