Day to forget as Teversal crash at Pontefract

Motorway delays on route to Pontefract, no manager due to a family illness and a squad of just 12 players were just a few of the things against the visitors prior to the encounter at Beechnut Lane Stadium.

Pontefract took the lead early on from the first corner of the game.

Rob Oldman took the kick and it went over everyone and curled its way into the back of the net. Chances for Teversal were few and far between in the first 15 minutes while Pontefract were having the better of the game.

A clearance from Teversal keeper Ryan Brooks saw new signing Chris Hitchings try his luck from the halfway line but his effort went just wide of the post.

Oliver Wood had the best of Teversal’s chances with three efforts, but the final killer ball failed to materialise.

A through ball from Colin Cockerill to Wood saw the keeper collect at the second attempt.

Another through ball from Dave Cockerill saw Wood under pressure from a defender, but when he got his shot in it went straight to the keeper, and a Mark Robinson cross was also out of Wood’s reach.

Five minutes into the second half, Mark Robinson shot wide from around 25 yards out, and minutes later Wood had another shot fly just wide of the upright.

Just after the hour mark, Pontefract doubled their lead – eventually!

The ball went down the right wing and crossed into the area and in the goalmouth scrambled that ensued; Ryan Brooks pounced on the ball on the goal line.

The referee said no goal, but his attention was drawn to his assistant on the far touch line by the Pontefract players and after a brief discussion, a goal was awarded, with Liam Radford apparently claiming the final touch.

Teversal forced a series of corners late on in the game but they all came to naught, the final chance for the Tevie Boys falling to sub Lee Townsend, who sent a volley wide of the upright.

TEVERSAL: Ryan Brooks, Kris Witcombe, Danny Williams, Danny Pearson, Jacob Ashley, Colin Cockerill, Greg Tobin, Callum Pursglove, Oli Wood, Dave Cockerill (Lee Townsend 70), Mark Robinson.

PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES: Nathan Perks, Dean Twibey, Adam Robinson, Nigel Danby, Michael Staley, Chris Hitchings, Andrew Catton, Chris Kamara (Craig Robinson 55), Liam Radford (Mark Simpson 82), Kingsley Wetherall (Phil Lindley 64), Rob Oldham. Subs not used: Josh Corbett, Lewis Dickinson.

REFEREE: Andrew Smith of West Yorkshire.

ATTENDANCE: 66.

TEVERSAL MAN OF THE MATCH: Danny Pearson.