Pontefract Collieries 3-1 Grimsby Borough: Match Report

Pontefract Collieries 3-1 Grimsby Borough: Match Report

The Wilderness Boys headed to Pontefract on Saturday to face one of the tougher NPL Division One East tests of the season against a Colls side who are very strong at home and headed into the clash in great form.

Borough had also won their previous two matches, but, despite a spirited performance in difficult conditions, they left West Yorkshire empty handed following a 3-1 defeat at The Hunters Stadium.

Boss Ricky Ravenhill and his Assistant Martin Woods opted to make a few changes to the matchday squad, with newly-signed Doncaster Rovers pair Ethan Hodgett and Jonny Tomlinson involved for the first time.

George Burton and Kieron Ceesay made way, meaning the Wilderness Boys began with Heath Richardson in goal, behind a back four of Sam Topliss, Paul Walker, Bradley Wood, and Alex Graham.

Hodgett started in place of Josh Venney in a midfield that also contained Alex Flett and Harvey Cribb, while Tristan Drummond got the nod ahead of Luke Ayris on the right-hand side, with Josh Clarke on the left, and Charlie Clements as the lone frontman.

Venney and Ayris joined Tomlinson, Jack Barlow, and Bailey Wright on the bench.

First-Half

The hosts got us underway with a very strong wind at their back, and Borough quickly found themselves pinned in, with the Colls earning plenty of long-throws and corners to put consistent pressure on the backline.

The Wilderness Boys largely dealt with things well, getting bodies in the way at key times to prevent any real early opportunities aside from a 14th-minute header that was well tipped over the bar by Richardson.

Borough almost took the lead on the break at the midway point of the first period, Drummond getting the better of the opposing full-back to set himself free in the right channel. However, the winger’s first effort was kept out by Harry Christy in the Pontefract goal, with his rebound blocked on the line.

As the rain began to fall, the hosts took the lead on 25-minutes when some neat interchanges allowed Alex Pavan plenty of time to pick his spot and put his side ahead.

Borough reset themselves, and, despite falling behind, were managing the conditions well, while always looking a threat on the counter.

However, with Josh Clarke off the pitch receiving treatment, the Colls took advantage to double their lead with seven minutes of the first-half remaining, Elliott Walker’s well struck drive from the edge of the box taking a deflection before going into the bottom corner.

Clarke was unable to continue, and was replaced by Venney as Ravenhill’s men went in 2-0 down at the break.

Second-Half

The wind and rain eased during the interval, and it was the hosts who were quickest to settle once we restarted, with Pavan’s 47th-minute effort saved by Richardson, and James Morris turning the rebound over the bar.

Borough were seeing more of the ball, but were being caught on the break by an impressive Colls outfit, with Marcel Stepniewski next to go close, his low effort from 20-yards grazing the outside of the upright. Pavan then fired over, before O’Grady wasted a gilt-edged chance on the hour mark.

Ayris and Tomlinson replaced Graham and Hodgett, with both making an immediate impact as the Wilderness Boys looked to have weathered the Ponte storm, and were getting on the front foot themselves as they searched for a way back into the game.

Drummond and Ayris linked up superbly in the 67th-minute, working an opportunity for the latter, though Christy was out just in time to divert the danger.

The same pair would work together to get Borough back into the game just a few seconds later, however, with Ayris’ cross turned home from close range by Drummond to half the deficit.

Head injuries to Wood and Drummond broke up the game as we entered the latter stages, though both were able to continue. 

Bailey Wright replaced Harvey Cribb with nine minutes remaining, before Clements went close to levelling the scores, his header from a Topliss cross drifting wide.

Barlow replaced Flett in Borough’s final change, while Brad Wood moved up front as an emergency striker as Ravenhill looked to get bodies forward in search of a late equaliser.

Five minutes of stoppage time was signalled, and the Wilderness Boys were caught on the break in the final seconds as Jack Wilson finished off a quick break at the back post to seal a 3-1 victory for the hosts.

Borough will hope that the injury to Clarke isn’t too serious, and that the likes of Tom Sawyer, Billy Bradley, AJ Adelekan, Charlie Burden-Whittleton, and Edwin Essel are able to return soon to bolster their ranks for the forthcoming matches.

The Wilderness Boys will look to get back to winning ways in their next league clash at Beverley Town at the weekend. We hope to see a good following there to back the lads in a local derby.