Pontefract Collieries and Heaton Stannington shared the spoils in a six goal thriller at Ingfield Stadium (Ossett), as the Colls battled back from two goals down to claim a point.
The visitors were handed the perfect start when the referee awarded a penalty inside the opening minutes, Leighton Hopper stepping up to calmly roll home. Just after the quarter hour mark, Heaton doubled their lead when Colls failed to clear their lines. Despite protests for a foul on Josh Burns, play continued and Alex Payne produced a tidy finish into the bottom corner.
Ponte responded midway through the half. A blocked effort fell kindly to Alex Metcalfe, who lashed a superb volley high into the net. But the visitors struck again before the break, Jay Errington poking home after a free-kick came back off the post.
After half time it was all Pontefract, in a real game of two halves. Captain Jack Greenhough rose highest to head in a cross from the right and spark a comeback. With just over ten minutes to go, a sweeping counter saw Joe Lumsden play a lovely through ball to Harry Spratt. His attempted square ball bounced back to him, and he showed great composure to slot beyond the keeper and level the scores at 3–3.
Colls pressed for a winner, Greenhough rattling the bar from close range before late penalty appeals were waved away. Despite the fightback, both sides had to settle for a point on an afternoon full of drama.
Pomfret Gin Player of the Match: Jack Greenhough, who was a marauding full back – especially in the second half – he scored the goal to get us back into things and was a constant threat down the right side.
Attendance: 109
