Pontefract Collieries to ‘concentrate on league’ now after penalty shoot-out Trophy exit
Pontefract Collieries suffered a second FA competition exit in successive weeks after being unlucky in a close contest once again.
After narrowly losing to a late goal despite playing almost the full game with 10 men against Ossett United in the FA Cup the previous week Jimmy Williams’ men drew 1-1 at home to Prescot Cables in an FA Trophy second qualifying round tie only to lose on penalties.
Both sides had their periods of strength in a well contested game that remained goalless at half-time.
Ponte went ahead after the break through Connor O’Grady after Jack Greenhough’s long throw was turned towards goal by Kiyani Clayton, but the visitors hit back swiftly with tall forward Sharif Deans heading home.
The hosts were denied a strong appeal for a penalty when James Morris went down in the box and thought they had won it in the dying seconds, but were denied by an incredible flying save from keeper Tony Thompson.
A nerve-jangling shoot-out followed and went to sudden death with misses on both sides before Prescot emerged as 5-4 winners.
Manager Williams admitted his side had not been at their best in the Trophy tie.
He said: “I don’t think we ever really got going. There was nothing in the game, they were probably a bit better in the first half and we edged it in the second half.
"We certainly dropped our standards and were nowhere near where we could have been.
"It was a stonewall penalty and the referee’s missed it. You could tell from the players’ reaction and if he gives it we win the game, but you can’t blame the referee for how poor we were in certain aspects. We just weren’t at it.
"We’ve got to concentrate on the league now, get the games in hand that we’ve got now and start climbing the table.”
Pontefract now turn their attentions back to the NPL East with a home game against Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night followed by two away games at Garforth Town on Saturday then at Beverley Town next Tuesday.