Ten-man Pontefract Collieries crash out of FA Cup to West Yorkshire rivals
After finding the net 12 times in two goal-laden games over the Bank Holiday weekend Pontefract Collieries were unable to score in their FA Cup tie at Ossett United.
Colls crashed out of the competition at the first qualifying round stage when they lost 1-0 to their West Yorkshire rivals, but were down to 10 men from the third minute and the only goal came in the last 10 minutes.
Defender Ben Middleton was red carded as he pulled down Joe Crosby when he was breaking through on goal.
Nothing came of the resulting free-kick, but it gave the visitors a long time to play with a man down.
Despite this they were able to create pressure and chances, but fell to Devonte Morton’s header from a free-kick.
Ossett keeper Aleks Petrovic was in defiant mood and handled everything Ponte threw at him with numerous corners and long throws coming to nothing for the visitors.
Petrovic made a fine save to deny Alex Pavan early in the second half and the home team showed why they had already completed four 1-0 wins this season.
After Morton’s breakthrough goal it was the turn of Colls keeper Harry Christy to come up with some heroics as he made a triple save.
Niah Payne – Ponte’s man of the match – was only denied an equaliser by a fingertip save while Jack Steers also had a chance to make it 1-1 only to head over from close range.
United held on and will now take their place in the second qualifying round.
For Colls it is onto the FA Trophy now with a home tie against Prescot Cables in the second qualifying round this Saturday. They also host Blyth Spartans back in the NPL East next Tuesday.
Ponte have added to their squad with the signing of young striker Marcel Stepniewski on a dual reg deal with Thackley, where he has bagged five goals in his first four games to follow on from netting 28 times in 22 games for Halifax Town U19s last season.