FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round Replay
FC Halifax Town 1-0 Pontefract Collieries
The FA Cup first round dream is over for heroic Pontefract Collieries but they went down fighting in the replay at National League giants FC Halifax Town.
The Colls hearts were broken by substitute Jack Vale whose goal midway through the second half booked Halifax their first round home tie with Maidenhead United.
The NPL Division One East underdogs Pontefract defended brilliantly throughout and goalkeeper Ryan Musselwhite was in sensational form as his saves kept his side’s dream alive – especially in the first half.
A defeat it may have been but this felt like a victory for Pontefract who were backed by an incredible away support of 500 who sung their hearts out.
The Colls pushed a Non League giant all the way over two ties, banked a fortunate in prize money and gate receipts and probably gained a few new supporters.
The club is continually growing on all fronts – ground, junior section, community work – and it is likely the two clashes with Halifax will be looked upon as a further major springboard for the future.
At half-time, Pontefract had to be happy.
Halifax manager Pete Wild promised his side would stretch the Colls and they duly did.
Much of the first half was the Alamo for Pontefract whose manager Craig Rouse showed great tactical nouse by devising another tactical masterplan.
Halifax struggled to get in behind on Saturday but with a bigger pitch, the Shaymen found it a lot easier on home territory.
Pontefract enjoyed five minutes of pressure at the start – notably when goalkeeper Sam Johnson spilled a cross before recovering to claim the ball.
But from there on Halifax were dominant.
Musselwhite was a busy man – far busier than Saturday.
The goalkeeper frustrated the hosts – denying Matty Warburton with his feet once and then again at the near post after the Colls defence had been breached.
His best save came on the stroke of half-time when Tyrell Warren broke away.
The work-rate from the Pontefract players was out of this world.
Although few clear-cut chances were created, the defensive shape was magnificent and the siege of the first half did not continue.
With Eli Hey on as a substitute, Pontefract were beginning to build pressure and even launched one counter attack which ended in a free kick.
But just as the game’s direction was starting to shift, Rouse’s heroes were hit by the sucker punch.
Jamie Allen led a surging attack down the right and within seconds the Colls were split open and he laid the ball into the middle of the penalty for Vale to run onto it and blast it past a helpless Musselwhite.
The visitors finished strongly – but without truly hurting their hosts – as they searched for the goal to send the tie to extra-time.
Captain Jack Greenhough’s long throw was used several times and there were a few free kicks in good areas.
Scott Smith also had a dangerous effort blocked.
Ultimately it wasn’t to be but with the way they were applauded off at the end, you would have thought Pontefract had won the tie.
The Teams
FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Senior, Allen, Green, Warburton, Spence (Waters 58), Warren, Newby (Vale 58), Slew (Gilmour 75), Woods, Maher (captain). Subs unused: Scott, McDonagh, Swaby-Neavin.
Pontefract Collieries: Musselwhite, Greenhough (captain), Gordon, Vann, Clarke, Brook, Rothery, Robson (Lazenby 68), Hinsley (Hey 60), Redford, Smith (Bailey 81). Subs: Williams, Brown, Collington, Clegg.
Who Was In Charge
Daniel Middleton (6/10)
How Many Were There
1713 (526 away)
Man of the Match
Ryan Musselwhite (Pontefract Collieries)