Pontefract Collieries battled to a hard-earned point at Lincoln United on Tuesday evening, drawing 1-1 in the NPL East Division.
Following Saturday’s FA Trophy comeback victory over Clitheroe, The Colls headed to Lincolnshire for their second league fixture of the campaign, facing a Lincoln United side riding a four-match winning streak and unbeaten in their opening two league games.
Jimmy Williams made a few changes to the starting XI, but his side immediately settled into the contest. Jack Wilson was a constant threat down the left flank in the opening stages, with his pace earning Ponte a long throw which Jack Greenhough launched into the penalty area. Connor O’Grady rose highest but was unable to direct his header beyond the goalkeeper.
Wilson was involved again moments later, delivering an inviting cross towards Joe Lumsden, whose glancing header was brilliantly tipped around the post by the young Lincoln stopper.
The hosts looked dangerous on the counter-attack, but Harry Christy was largely untested during the opening exchanges as The Colls continued to look the more threatening of the two sides.
With half-time approaching, another Greenhough long throw caused problems for the home defence. After the initial delivery was cleared, the ball was recycled back to the Pontefract skipper, whose subsequent cross was inch-perfect. Wilson timed his run superbly, darting in front of the goalkeeper to head home and give The Colls the lead at the perfect time.
Greenhough was shown a yellow card early in the second half after bringing down an advancing Lincoln forward, but Pontefract continued to start the half strongly.
O’Grady came agonisingly close to doubling the advantage when the ball dropped to him inside the box, with his effort from close range rattling the crossbar. Once again, set-pieces were causing the hosts problems.
The game, however, changed dramatically on the hour mark. Greenhough was shown a second yellow card after being adjudged to have tripped his man just outside the Pontefract penalty area, leaving The Colls to play the final half-hour with ten men.
Having dominated large spells of the contest, Williams’ side were now forced to dig deep as Lincoln looked to make their numerical advantage count. The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession but found a stubborn Pontefract defensive line difficult to break down.
The Colls continued to pose a threat themselves, particularly on the counter. James Morris picked the ball up deep inside his own half before driving forward into Lincoln territory, and when possession eventually dropped to Alfie Perry in behind the defence, the return ball appeared to be on. Perry instead opted to go for goal, but his effort was saved by the Lincoln goalkeeper.
With just six minutes of normal time remaining, however, Lincoln finally found a way through. A corner from the right was delivered into the near-post area, where the Lincoln United captain rose highest to glance a header beyond Christy and restore parity.
Despite being down to ten men, The Colls continued to look for an opportunity to regain their lead in the closing stages. A couple of balls were delivered into the Lincoln penalty area, but the home defence stood firm to clear them to safety.
The referee soon brought proceedings to a close, with both sides having to settle for a point. It was a hard-fought evening for The Colls against an in-form Lincoln United side, and while Pontefract will feel they could have taken more from the contest, they can take plenty of positives from a determined defensive performance after being reduced to ten men.
Attention now turns to the FA Cup, with The Colls returning to The Hunters Stadium this weekend to face Parkgate FC.
Player of the Match | Connor O’Grady – A commanding display from O’Grady at both ends of the pitch. He was dominant defensively, repeatedly putting his body on the line during the second half, while also providing a threat from set-pieces. On another night, he could easily have added a goal to an strong all-round performance.