The Colls went into this one on the back of two straight defeats in the league, but were looking to progress in the county Cup against the side that knocked us out of the competition last year.
On a night where club captain Jack Greenhough was presented A framed shirt to mark making over 250 appearances for the football club, likewise awards for Gavin Rothery and Connor Smythe who joined the 100 club.
Despite the optimism pre game it was Campion who broke the deadlock, with just five minutes on the clock. A corner from the right found the head of Sam Bradley, his looping header beat the man on the post and in it went.
The Colls then began to apply some pressure, Sinfield cross into the box with danger before having a volley well held by the ‘keeper. Ponte had the lions share of possession but lacked the finishing touch.
The Bradford based side weren’t done there though, Ponte didn’t clear their lines when the chance and Nathan Cartman was on hand to make two.
The Colls thought they had halved the arrears when the ball was rolled home but ruled out for offside, which looked harsh. But it only took a minute to find the net again, Jack Boyle found the ball in space in midfield and played a great ball wide to Louie Chorlton. His first touch got past his marker and his cross found the run of Bailey Thompson, who perfectly slid home at the near post.
Craig Rouse’s men were firmly in the ascendency now and they made their NCEL counterparts pay just minutes later. Chorlton provider for the first, with the finishing touch to a Frankie Sinfield cross – Thompson made it difficult for the ‘keeper who perhaps should have dealt with the cross. The tie was level, a Desmond.
The opening fifteen to twenty minutes of the second half saw neither side take control of the game. Before Pontefract then took control in midfield and really pressed Campion back. Sinfield was rolled in on goal and did well to slide his effort under the keeper, only for it to bounce back off a post and into the arms of the Campion stopper.
With twenty minutes remaining Ponte thought they had a third, when Jack Boyle’s curled effort was ruled out for an offside in the build up. Then Connor Smythe struck the bar with an effort from outside the box.
Time looking like it was going to run out for Pontefract to grab a winner, only for skipper Jack Greenhough to pop up three minutes from time. Corner whipped in from the left saw Greenhough throw everything at it and a combination of head and back saw the ball home.
Five minutes added time was not enough for Campion to salvage the tie, which sees The Collieries in the Semi-Final of the County Cup for a number of years.
The next tie will be announced in due course, stay tuned!