Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Pontefract Collieries 0-1 Tadcaster Albion
- Adam Baker strikes in the dying minutes as Tadcaster Albion steal the points and break Pontefract Collieries’ resistance.
- Tadcaster are now within two points of leaders Worksop Town.
- Pontefract give their all and Craig Parry’s men almost took an early lead after Brad Kerr hit the crossbar.
- Parry says he is really “proud” of his players in his post match interview.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLL TADDDDY!!
Baker you legend!!! Jono loves it!!! (0-1) pic.twitter.com/hqcEXA2go7
— Tadcaster Albion (@TadcasterAlbion) February 3, 2016
Football can be cruel sometimes and for the second match running, Pontefract experienced that side of it. On Saturday Alex Rippon snatched the points at the death for Handsworth Parramore. Last night, Adam Baker pounced and scored the winner for Tadcaster Albion in exactly the same circumstances as to how Rippon broke their hearts.
Pontefract could not have done much more – especially in the opening half-hour. Young striker Brad Kerr was desperately unlucky in the first 60 seconds. He did everything right with the deftest of touches from a perfectly-flighted cross from the left. That was only prevented from finding the net by an incredible save by goalkeeper Gary Stevens, who managed to turn the ball onto the crossbar.
Pontefract defender Paul Sykes made two miraculous goal-lines clearances in quick succession from Nick Black and then Jimmy Beadle in Tadcaster’s first real penetration of the home side’s back-line. Tadcaster rode their luck when Steve Palfrey’s bullet came back off the inside of the post.
Collieries goalkeeper Liam Corbett was called upon to make a crucial save at the end of the first half after Baker got in behind Aaron Joseph, minutes after Pontefract had to adjust their defence after Paul Haigh went off injured.
A series of stoppages for injuries or minor scuffles heavily disrupted the flow of the second half. The home side, seeking their first point since Craig Parry’s appointment as the permanent boss, were good value for the draw with their excellent defensive display.
Tadcaster were unable to put them under any real pressure until the last ten minutes. The chance to score appeared gone though after an unbelievable double save from Corbett. Baker carefully dinked the ball towards the penalty spot. Beadle created confusion and Tadcaster’s former Manchester United midfielder Jonathan Greening unleashed the first effort. Corbett batted that one away with his legs. Baker came sprinting into the box like an express train and simply put his foot through the ball. Corbett, refusing to be beaten, somehow got up in time to make the low save.
That looked like that chance to win it, but credit to the title-chasers as they kept going. For Pontefract it was a case of deja vu. Again a free kick, taken by Greening, in a similar area was sent into the six-yard-box. Corbett attempted to punch it clear, only for the ball to drop kindly for an attacker to smash it home. In this case, replace Rippon, insert Baker.
Pontefract Collieries manager Craig Parry:
Tadcaster Albion manager Billy Miller:
Pontefract Collieries: Corbett, Ahmed, Danby (captain), Sykes, Haigh (Wetherald 32), Schofield, Wright (Ahmed 87), Joseph, Reece, Kerr, Palfrey (Ponis 87). Sub unused: Rouse.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Clayton (Ormsby 85), Heath (Milne 41), Anderson, Jon Greening, Baker, Black, Beadle (captain), Josh Greening. Subs unused: Stewart, Barrett.
Referee: Duncan Carratt
Ref Rating: 5/10
Attendance: 155
Man of the match: Nigel Danby (Pontefract Collieries)