The Colls had to come from behind to remain unbeaten this season, following a first half Consett goal. Ponte bombarded the visitors throughout and grabbed a deserved equaliser through a superb Adam Priestley volley.
The Colls headed into their third game of the league campaign unbeaten in all competitions, with Consett as tonight’s visitors they were looking to continue their bright start to the season. The ‘Conny Army’ sat level on point with Ponte, but had played one game more.
The game got off to a fast start and Ponte were looking to get on the front foot early on. A ball into the channel found Mikey Dunn on the turn, he flicked the ball over his defender and broke into the box. He then looked to find a man in the box and as he played the ball he was tripped, but not according to the referee who waved away the protests.
The pressure continued with a flood of aerial tests, Jack Greenhough’s throw ins and Colls set pieces caused real danger at the back. A throw in from the left side left confusion between ‘keeper and defence, which almost led to an opener.
Despite the early pressure Consett had managed to hold out and were starting to find their feet moving forward. They looked lively on the break with pace in the wide areas. But again it was Ponte with the better chances. Jack Vann had a free kick from range pushed to safety, while Jimmy Williams’ effort from the edge of the box was saved as a shot came through bodies.
Mikey Dunn jinked in behind the Consett back line, he managed to lay the ball on for Gavin Allott in the area but he was unable to generate enough power to turn it passed the ‘keeper.
The next chance came the way of the visitors and they certainly took it. The ball fell in midfield and with a lovely flowing counter the left back cut a cross back for Josh Orrell to find the far corner to break the deadlock. 0-1 Consett.
The Colls turned up the pressure and continued to push for their opening goal of the game. Throw ins and set pieces continued to create openings but found the opposition keeper and centre halves in good form. James Baxendale then came close as he rattled the bar from a shot on the angle.
Then came Ponte’s second big penalty appeal of the half. A quick throw by Priestley set Allott away down the right side, he nutmugged his defender and cut inside of another before firing a shot at goal. The defender threw his body at the ball and it doing so stretched out an arm, the referee waved away protests despite evidence showing the ball to clearly strike the arm.
With time ticking away of the first half Ross Coombe in the away goal made a great save to deny Allott from close range. He dived back across his goal to make a save on the line, the officials adjudged him to have kept this out.
A strong half which the visitors led on the scoreline but not on the efforts on goal. A big second half to come for both sides.
Our hosts started the second the same way they did the first, a scuffed Allinson clearance was clipped forward by Clarke. After a loose ball Mikey Dunn was upended but a smart advantage from the referee allowed Priestley to run clear but the ‘keeper was on hand to make another save with his legs.
Another save from Coombe with his feet stopped Allott in similar fashion after a through ball from Jake Picton set the striker in on goal. Despite the pressure the Yorkshire side could have gone two behind. Lloyd Allinson got down well at his near post to make a strong save to deny Zak Atkinson.
Set pieces continued to cause a threat on the Consett goal, this time a corner from the left was curled in but Jake Picton’s header at the near post was off target. But with just over twenty minutes left on the clock Allinson pumped the ball back up field, Adam Priestley acted first to a bouncing ball and chested the ball down and fired a sumptuous volley in the bottom corner. The Consett stopper stood no chance, 1-1 game on!
With enough time on the clock for either side to snatch a winner it was Pontefract in the ascendancy. Greenhough dropped on a clearance, he hit a cross to the far post to a free Allott who found Priestley inside the box but he was unable to guide his header home.
Priestley had the games final chance, he got on the end of another Allott flick on inside the six yard box but his effort drifted just wide of the post. It wouldn’t have counted as the linesman’s flag was raised anyway.
Full time, Consett fans, staff and players celebrated a big point following a barrage of pressure across the 90 minutes. Ponte could be pleased with their performance once again, but will be looking to turn these kind of games into wins as the season progresses.
Attendance: 323
Match Report written by Charlie Fletcher