NPL Division One East
Pontefract Collieries 2-0 Frickley Athletic
Second half goals sealed three straight wins for rejuvenated Pontefract Collieries and lifted them above local rivals Frickley Athletic in the table.
Young showman Joao Rangel’s ‘cross’ and Rob Guilfoyle came up with the magic moments to continue Ponte’s march up the league and leave Frickley staring at the prospect of a relegation battle.
Bar one chance at the beginning of the second half, Frickley never looked like scoring.
Dave Frecklington’s men have scored a paltry 15 times in the league this season and Ponte won’t have been quaking in their boots when their visitors lined up in a deep 5-4-1 formation.
That said, Frickley’s preparations were hampered by the late departure of key defender Danny Burns to Worksop Town and the withdrawal of goalkeeper Josh Chapman due to covid.
The threadbare Blues were forced to borrow Nostell Miners Welfare stopper Aiden Smith late in the morning.
Smith had a couple of nervy moments in the first half but on the whole he had a good game and could not do anything about the goals.
Most of the first half was played out in Frickley’s half.
Although no real clear-cut chances were carved out, Ponte enjoyed a lot of dangerous corners and throw-ins.
Frickley’s best hope was on the counter and Devonte Morton wasted their best move in the first stanza.
The visitors’ were left to rue their only real chance of the game straight after the break.
Nyle Blake broke down the left and blazed over when bearing down on goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson.
The arrival of returning local hero Mikey Dunn spurred Ponte on and the pressure mounted on the visitors.
On the hour the deadlock was broken.
Frickley gave the ball needlessly away in the middle of the park and Jack Greenhough surged down the right.
Rangel was given the ball and from outside the penalty area on the right wing he sent a cross towards the far post.
It beat everyone and nestled in the bottom corner.
The goal forced Frickley to be more attacking – without much joy.
A further mistake – this time from Blake on the left-side – enabled to Ponte to seal their victory with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Luke Hinsley haunted his former club by relieving Tyler Williams of the ball and striving forward into the box.
Rather than go for goal, the striker laid off young Guilfoyle who confidently caressed the ball into the far bottom corner from 12 yards to seal a brilliant win for Craig Rouse’s Ponte.
The Teams
Pontefract Collieries: Allinson, Greenhough (captain), Shepherd, Vann, Clarke, Williams, Rothery (Dunn 49), Lazenby, Hinsley, Guilfoyle (Turner 84), Rangel (Bailey 78). Subs unused: Brook, Brown.
Frickley Athletic: Smith, Morris, Williams, Robinson (Molyneaux 73), Whitehead (Stacey 90), Beatson, Morton, Everington, Wells, Hollingsworth, Blake. Sub unused: Mettam.
Who Was In Charge
Gareth Thomas (10/10)
How Many Were There
476
Man of the Match
Jack Lazenby (Pontefract Collieries)
