Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 3rd July 2021
At one point it seemed Pontefract Collieries might rack up a big victory in what was their first pre-season outing against Rossington Main, but in the end things proved to be much closer than anticipated.
Following on from Hemsworth's defeat to Worksop yesterday, this was another feisty, open and very competitive encounter between two teams who, having not played for so long, really wanted to saviour the occasion and emerge as winners.
Eli Hey (2) and Scott Smith got the goals for Ponte, whilst Niall Doran replied with two penalties (the second of which was scored on the rebound) for Rossington who also had the ball in the net courtesy of Josh Yeoman although that strike was ruled out for offside.
Despite a heavy downpour lasting well over an hour earlier in the day, the weather was close to perfect by the time the game got underway - and the hosts pressed hard as they searched frequently for an opener with Kian Johnson by far the busier of the two 'keepers early on.
The 18-year-old magnificently kept out Jack Lazenby's powerful free-kick in the most impressive of several reaction saves and found himself being peppered at times with the visiting backline pushed back way too deep for much of the opening half-hour or so and unable to retain possession.
Rozzo's threat was sporadic but Jason Stokes raised hopes for something spectacular when he went on a brilliant weaving run from inside his own half, only to be denied by a well-timed tackle inside Pontefract's penalty area, whilst Jack Watson was also foiled after some brave and instinctive goalkeeping by home custodian Ryan Musselwhite.
Ponte eventually opened scoring with a goal that had a slight degree of controversy about it. Watson was incorrectly flagged offside despite not being directly involved in play and this allowed the hosts the opportunity to launch a quick counter-attack. The ball was moved to the right flank before an inviting delivery towards the near-post area of the six-yard was met by Hey's glancing connection which took it past Johnson. Subsequent appeals from several Rossington players fell on deaf ears but, importantly, Ponte led - and deservedly so.
It didn't stay 1-0 for very long though because Rozzo managed to get back on level terms. A spot-kick was awarded (unfortunately I didn't see precisely what it was for) and Doran showed composure under pressure as he calmly sent Musselwhite the wrong way with his effort.
Nevertheless, the home team rallied and remained on top as proceedings approached half-time and you always got the feeling they were going to create more openings.
When the next chance did come along, it was former Leeds United youngster Jack Vann (something of a coup for Pontefract given the undoubted quality he brings to a team) who couldn't take advantage - coming up from the back, unmarked and unnoticed, to get on the end of an inviting corner but his effort somehow sailed over the upright.
Rossington seemed fragile at set-pieces in particular and the next one culminated in disaster as Hey was in the perfect place at the near-post to beat Johnson after more suspect marking - and things then got worse after the re-start when Reece pounced upon a loose ball to make it 3-1.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions at different intervals yet somehow the game retained it's intensity. Both sets of players were going at it, not afraid to put a tackle in when it was needed and the competitive, battling spirit made for good entertainment.
Despite being up against it and continuing to lose the ball too easily at times, Rossington gradually began to enjoy more possession and get on top a bit during the final half-hour.
The impressive Yeoman - an old-fashioned type-forward who'll battle, work hard and be a persistent pain in the backside to the opposition, thought he'd reduced arrears only for his attempt to be ruled out due to a linesman's flag. However, a goal soon did arrive when Doran converted another penalty - this time at the second attempt and on the rebound after his initial effort (low to the 'keeper's right), was kept out by Musselwhite.
During the final 15 minutes, more strong tackles resulted in tempers flaring on a couple of occasions and Watson squandered a gilt-edge opportunity to make it 3-3 late on when he was left completely unmarked inside the box by the Pontefract backline, but lacked awareness and headed horribly over. At the other end, a clever ball out of defence by Scott Brown almost set up the higher division side for a fourth goal but that didn't come to fruition. Substitute Leon Osborne also tried his luck with a speculative attempt for Rozzo which didn't quite have the accuracy.
Overall, it was an enjoyable game and very good entertainment. Though there are things to work on and weaknesses to improve in both camps but the desire, intensity and application from the players involved can't be faulted. Special mentions in the Rozzo line-up must go to Conner Williamson who was decent when he dropped into defence for the final 30 minutes (cheers for the lift home as well pal!), Jason Stokes who at times rolled back the years in midfield, and Niall Doran for his tireless efforts and two goals.
The crux of a decent squad is being put together at Oxford Street and it'll be good to see how the lads acquit themselves and cope when they come up against what should be a very strong Doncaster Rovers' first team next Saturday.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.