The Colls were humbled on their return to league action, by a Tadcaster Albion side who were clinical in front of goal. After a tough week for the boys in FA Cup action they were handed a heavy home defeat.
The game got off to a even start with the first twenty minutes being even split. A couple of long throw ins from Jack Greenhough signaled chances, but without a finishing touch. Whilst Tadcaster’s first effort of the half sailed over. Both sides were looking dangerous in possession, stringing good passages of play together.
A first major talking point came on twenty three minutes, Scott Smith reacted first to a loose ball and bet the Tadcaster man to it, only to be volleyed into the air. All in the ground paused expecting the referee to blow and signal for a penalty, only for him to wave play on leaving Smith in a heap on the deck.
To then add insult to injury, Tadcaster were then awarded a penalty themselves. A cross into the box was just met by the Tadcaster man who poked over under pressure from Musselwhite. Somehow the penalty was given despite the striker getting his shot away. Romario Vieira stepped up and casually placed passed Ryan Musselwhite, 0-1 Tadcaster.
Ponte appeared rattled by the officiating and aggrieved to be behind, but it was only about to get worse. Albion grabbed their second of the game through Des Amponsah, he was on hand to tap home from close range after Church did well to keep an attack alive at the back post.
With half time approaching Ryan Musselwhite collected a ball on the edge of his area, to which the referee adjudged the Colls stopper to have handled the ball outside the box. He avoided a second yellow card for the incident, but could not prevent the resulting free kick from curling into the corner. 0-3 Taddy.
Only seconds of the half remained when Jack Crook advanced down the Tadcaster right hand side, he whipped in a cross to Eddie Church. With one touch and a turn he volleyed into the top left, leaving Musselwhite no chance.
Tadcaster were clinical and took advantage of a lackluster defensive display. This left The Colls a stiff second half test, one where pride was at stake.
Ponte did come out in the second half with something to prove, but were unable to register any real chances on the visitors goal.
It was our hosts who were looking most likely though on the counter, a number of chances came and went before Eddie Church did grab their fifth and his second. A ball in behind found Church with room to shoot and he was able to lift the ball up and over Musselwhite and in for five!
A number of substitutes were made by both sides as the game began to die off. Gavin Rothery grabbed a consolation for Ponte with just over ten to play, he fired passed Davison-Hale in the Tadcaster goal from all of twenty-five yards out.
In truth Tadcaster could have easily grabbed a sixth in the remaining minutes but that was the last of the goals as The Brewers ran out comfortable winners. A tough afternoon for Craig Rouse’s men and one they will want to dust off and go again from.
Attendance 287.
Pontefract Collieries Team;
Tadcaster Albion Team;
