FA Cup third qualifying round
Pontefract Collieries 6-0 Handsworth
Hollywood actors and even their ex-reserve team manager could lie in wait for relentless Pontefract Collieries whose sights are firmly fixed on the prestigious first round proper after brutally smashing Handsworth for six.
Vaughan Redford’s double plus finishes from Spencer Clarke, Eli Hey, Scott Smith and own goal paved the way for a victory that will be talked about for years to come.
Russ Eagle’s giant-killers were completely blown away and out of the cup after just 34 minutes as the Colls had taken a sledgehammer to them and gained insurmountable three-goal lead.
If luck is on their side then at least one win will eclipse it but this was special day and one of Pontefract’s greatest.
Rewind 15 years and the Colls were getting annihilated by heavy score-lines every single week and were lucky to get 20 watching.
The idea of Pontefract playing Bradford City for example was fantasy back then.
Craig Rouse and his heroes could make it a reality in two weeks’ time.
Over 400 packed into Beechnut Lane in the pouring rain to cheer Ponte into the fourth qualifying round for the first time ever and they witnessed some performance.
Handsworth, whose run has been incredible and inspiring, had hoped to add a fifth upset to their collection but they were never in the game and neither did they get a single moment’s respite as the Colls constantly laid siege to Ben Townsend’s goal.
The chances flowed and what hasn’t been mentioned so far is the missed penalty.
A foul of Hey led to an award of a spot kick – taken by Redford and saved by Townsend.
Undeterred the Colls continued the charge and a second penalty should have been awarded when Redford’s goal-bound effort was handled on the line.
Eventually Handsworth’s bow broke in the 23rd minute.
Although suspicion of a foul hangs over the opener, Townsend, booked for his protests, punched a Colls corner into his own net after coming under huge pressure in the aerial duel.
Redford then redeemed himself with a quick-fire double.
He turned in Ben Gordon’s cross for number two before referee Sam Ross who was almost like a young Mike Dean gave a very harsh penalty for a high foot on Spencer Clarke, allowing Redford to blast in the killer third goal.
The contest was well and truly over two minutes into the second half as Clarke leapt to head home a corner.
Handsworth did have two second half chances but that was it and the Colls looked capable of scoring at all times.
The crossbar was hit during one opportunity in the lead-up to Hey netting from Redford’s knock-on from a corner.
Redford had the means and opportunity to have walked off with at least a hat-trick.
He rounded Townsend and seemingly slotted into the empty net until Richard Tootle raced back and cleared it off-the-line.
Handsworth’s misery was compounded by substitute Nana Nyarko’s unfortunate red card for a challenge on Derry Robson right in front of the dugouts.
That created even more space for Pontefract to exploit and the sixth goal soon arrived.
Former Garforth Town midfielder Jack Lazenby’s shot was too powerful for Townsend to hold and Smith pounced to score.
The dream goes on for Pontefract and there’s at least one more chapter to write.
The National League clubs join the party for the fourth qualifying round draw and who knows, Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham may end up coming to little old Ponte.
The Teams
Pontefract Collieries: Musselwhite, Greenhough (captain) (Bailey 81), Gordon, Vann, Clarke, Brook, Rothery (Lazenby 75), Robson (Brown 77), Hey, Redford, Smith. Subs unused: Greatorex, Stokes, Williams.
Handsworth: Townsend, Jones (Nyarko 67), Tootle, Harrison, Paylor (captain), Roebuck (Hobson 80), Teasdale, Reece, Smith, Dunne, Mole (Lonchar 52). Subs unused: Gascoigne, Baldwin, Oliver, Bacon.
Who Was In Charge
Sam Ross (6/10)
How Many Were There
455
Man of the Match
Vaughan Redford (Pontefract Collieries)
