Match Report - Sheffield FC vs Pontefract Collieries - Tuesday 18th January 2022 (4-0)

  • 18/01/2022

A feisty affair under the floodlights saw Sheffield FC climb off the bottom of the table with a healthy win over Pontefract Collieries. 


The game started in style for the home side, as a poor clearance from the goalkeeper saw the ball fall at Harry Mitchell's feet just inside his own half, and he smashed it home from the halfway line. 


This set the pace for Sheffield, as it was followed just ten minutes later by James Baxendale, who slotted away after a lovely flowing piece of build-up by Club. All formed from a throw-in on the right, a switch set Sam Ackroyd off and he pulled it back for Baxendale to place it home. 


This seemed to rattle the Pontefract team, as the poor challenges and tough tackles only continued to fly in, which resulted in both a red card on the pitch for Jack Lazenby, quickly followed by a member of the backroom staff, who the ref sent to the changing rooms as well. 


The handbags didn't stop there however, as the red card only made Pontefract drop 10 yards and continue the hard stop approach, to no avail. Apart from a few Penalty shouts from the traveling supporters, Sheffield saw off the first half with relative ease. 


The second half started how the first ended, with Sheffield's first big chance coming just ten minutes after the restart, as Sam Ackroyd drifted in from the left wing and found himself with bundles of time alone in the box, but he placed the ball just wide of the goalies left post. 


Pontefract noticed they were still on the back foot, but the continued approach seemed to be more MMA than football, as poor challenges continued across the pitch. Sheffield resorted to playing a more over the top style, which worked as Marc Newsham was put through in the 68th minute, but he put the ball wide from an acute angle. 


He didn't have to wait long however, as left back Rory Coleman ventured forward and put the ball onto the number 9's head and he saw the net ripple, to put the oldest club in the world three nil up. 


The action was far from over, as Pontefract added to their earlier red with another, this time for substitute Ben Morris, for a high challenge on Coleman on halfway. 


Sheffield's clean sheet almost went as the visitors hit the bar late on, but it made no difference as yet another wonder goal came from Sheffield's answer to Roberto Carlos, as Coleman found himself in space on the edge of the area following a corner and smashed home with the outside of his left boot to cap off a fantastic night for Sheffield FC. 


Full time - Sheffield FC 4 - 0 Pontefract Collieries


Words by Sam Hutchison


Teams: 

Sheffield FC: Ryan Musselwhite, Leigh Whelan, Rory Coleman, Harry Mitchell, Damian Magee, Ashton Hall, Luke Hall, James Baxendale, Marc Newsham, Scott Ruthven, Sam Ackroyd.

Subs: Jamie Yates, Tiarnan O'Connor, Jack Birks, Niall Edge


Pontefract Collieries: Lloyd Allinson, Jack Greenhough, Jack Shepherd, Jack Vann, Spencer Clarke, Jack Steers, Joao Rangel, Jack Lazenby, Nick Guest, Luke Hinsley, Scott Smith.

Subs: Callum Brook, Fabian Bailey, Jimmy Williams, Joe Lumsden, Ben Morris.