Toolstation NCEL Division One
Hall Road Rangers 4-2 Pontefract Collieries
Scott Phillips celebrates his goal in the 4-2 win for Hall Road Rangers against Pontefract Collieries
The second half sending off of midfielder Brad Ricketts only served to spur Hall Road Rangers on in an action-packed encounter with Pontefract Collieries.
An explosion of goals and tempers straight after the interval set the game alight after a dour first half, devoid of many chances.
In a mad 15 minute start to the second half, there were three goals in as many minutes as well as one red card and three yellow cards.
The ball swung from end-to-end. Mikey Dunn wasted a huge chance for Pontefract and he paid the price as Hall Road went down the other end and broke the deadlock. The Colls switched off defensively and allowed former Westella striker Chris Spinks to keep the ball in play and cross for the far post where recent signing Josh Batty was waiting for his moment.
If you blinked, you missed something as within 60 seconds, Hall Road gave too much time and space to Kane Reece, whose powerful strike from 18 yards flew past debutant Rangers goalkeeper Thault Granger.
The game soon became a reporter’s nightmare as while the equaliser was being noted down, Pontefract’s defence fell asleep again when Batty crossed from the right and somehow found the net.
Fast forward a few minutes and players were flying in from all angles to get a piece of each other after visiting striker Chris Wood and Ricketts were involved in a confrontation. The end result was Rickett’s early departure.
The opportunity was now there for Pontefract to seize the initiative against ten man Rangers. However, the dismissal worked against them as Rangers captain Ash Dexter volleyed his side further in front.
That gave the home side the edge they needed. Apart from conceding Chris Jackson’s header, Hall Road defended well.
The potential of the Colls snatching an equaliser evaporated with five minutes to go when Scott Phillips scored at the second attempt after Ben Saynor saved the initial effort.
Ash Dexter battles Pontefract striker Chris Wood
An aerial battle
A second aerial battle
Josh Batty runs to Hall Road manager Dave Ricardo after opening the scoring
Kane Reece equalised for Pontefract
Scott Phillips helps force home Batty’s second goal
Tempers frayed
Dismissed Hall Road midfielder Brad Ricketts gave the referee little option
Captain Ash Dexter extended Hall Road’s lead
Scott Phillips seals the points for Hall Road
What They Said
Hall Road Rangers manager Dave Ricardo
Pontefract Collieries manager Craig Parry
The Teams
Hall Road Rangers: Granger, Norton, Whittington, Ricketts, Dexter (captain), Belcher, Bennett, Piercy, Phillips (Mortimer 88), Spinks (Sherwood 60), Batty (Binns 70).
Pontefract Collieries: Saynor, Greenhough, Jeffs, Seed (captain), Williams, Haigh, Reece, Corbett (Whitehouse 70), Jackson, Wood, Dunn (Mawson 73).
Who Was In Charge
Jerzy Banasik (8/10)
Mr Banasik had a decent game
How Many Were There
60
NLY Man of the Match
Josh Batty (Hall Road Rangers)
Josh Batty celebrates his second goal with Chris Spinks