Pontefract Collieries finish with brilliant away win but unluckily miss out on play-offs
Pontefract Collieries agonisingly missed out on the end of season play-offs in the NPL East despite winning superbly on the final day of the season.
With only a victory giving them a chance of achieving their aim Jimmy Williams’ men did their bit when winning at 2-1 at play-off rivals Dunston who had climbed up to third place in recent weeks.
But with Bradford (Park Avenue) also winning 2-1 at Ossett United it meant Colls finished in sixth place – one place outside the play-offs spots – just one point behind.
They could look back at some unlucky recent results and twice being unable to achieve victories after opening two-goal leads.
Ponte fought to the finish, however, against an in-form Dunston side with plenty to play for and with just two previous home defeats all season.
They found themselves up against it initially after the hosts were given a fifth minute penalty for what was deemed a handball offence against Jack Greenhough.
David Robinson put away the spot kick and Colls were facing a stiff task now if they were to get the three points they craved.
They dug in, however, and began to create their first chances. Frankie Sinfield was denied by a great block and Joe Lumsden sent a volley wide while Dunston remained dangerous with a shot from distance going close.
It remained 1-0 to half-time with the visitors needing to up their game further after the break. A big chance came and went early in the half when Niah Payne’s shot was well saved.
It was all square 10 minutes into the second period, though, as a long throw was flicked into the net by defender Simon Jakab who had come up from the back.
Encouraged by this, Colls swarmed forward again with Michael Coulson forcing a good save from the keeper then having another effort two minutes later cleared off the line.
Substitutes were brought on as they continued to chase the game and one them scored what turned out to be the winner six minutes from time.
Jack Wilson was sent through on goal and turned inside before curling his shot over the keeper into the net.
With their crucial lead established Colls held out for the remainder to finish their season on a high. But news filtering through from Ossett left the celebrations a bit flat despite the superb away win that left them only two points behind Dunston.