THE HORNETS | Hebburn Town v Pontefract Collieries | Issue 45

Daniel Moore

Mark Hudson Assistant Manager

Simon Harris First-Team Coach

Carl Morris Goalkeeping Coach

FROM THE DUGOUT

DANIEL MOORE

WELCOME TO THE GREEN ENERGY SPORTS GROUND FOR OUR SECOND FIXTURE

OF 2023.

The lads are buzzing after Monday's late win against North Shields. It's been a difficult period with the lack of games, then going to Dunston on a really heavy pitch. Monday was a local derby after New Year's Day and you don't know what you're going to get as a manager. I don't think we were great in the first half, we played alright in spells.

In the second half, we stepped up a gear or two and put them under some real pressure. We had five or six chances to win the game so I think we

got what we deserved.

We know what Joe Walton gives usyou can play him in goal and he'll still give you an 8/10 every week. We've got no drama at playing higher, and Tom Devitt has filled in excellently at right-back.

The lads are all taking onboard the different jobs we're wanting them to do, and you could see in the second half we were putting balls down their left flank and creatin The mo squad i was my the lad through

period and we've managed to get out of it.

Three wins on the bounce is hard in this league, but we go into every game looking to win. Pontefract are dangerous - they'll be there or thereabouts. Every team will have a spell where games don't go their way - I think it'll even out over the course of the season and you finish where you deserve to finish. It'll be a tough game today, we

ON THE PITCH

ARRONTHOMPSON

BACK HOME FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S GAME AGAINST PONTEFRACT.

It was a great three points over North Shields on Monday afternoon and we deserved it. We weren't really at our best in the first half but after half-time, we had a good go at them. In the end, with the amount of chances created, we fully deserved the win.

At half-time, we spoke about squeezing the gaps and getting higher up the pitch. They tried to play out from the back and in the first half, we were a bit too far away from them. We put them under some

pressure and they created more mistakes, which gave us more opportunities.

We created six or seven chances before Amar Purewal scored, but I'd be more worried if we weren't creating those chances.

It's great seeing the home support - the atmosphere was great.

You could tell there was a great crowd there and it spurred the lads on to get through the game and secure the win.

I'm feeling fine - I had an impact injury with my foot against Dunston and the pitch was

quite poor.

I managed to get through Monday's game and I feel better for it.

We've got to keep building momentum - we're playing a lot at home this month so hopefully the crowd can keep coming in numbers and we can get some more results for them.

Every game is tough in this league, but we go into every match looking to win.

NOTICEBOARD

Hebburn boss Daniel Moore has issued a fitness update on his squad ahead of today's game.

Three players were forced off with injuries against Dunston on Boxing Day. Arron Thompson managed the full the game against North Shields while Olly Martin featured off the bench, however Moore explains Liam Henderson's recovery may take time. "Hendo has got stiches in his foot, and depending on what the injury is like is how quickly he recovers," Moore said.

"Olly came off with a calf strain at Dunston so we have to be careful with him because we've got so many games coming up and we can't afford to lose him.

"Arron battled through a knock on his foot and played well for us on Monday.

"Joe Walton has a knock as

well, but the lads are putting the shirt on and doing everything they can for us.

"They're playing for the club and getting the rewards they deserve at the minute." Meanwhile, young winger Will McCamley has returned to running this week following a broken tibular in September.

Hebburn Town scored a late winner against local rivals North Shields to open 2023.

The visitors hit the bar early when Tom Potter crossed to a leaping Cam Cunningham at the back post.

Daniel Moore’s side broke the deadlock on 10 minutes through Joe Walton, after the winger forced Finlay Hodgson into a mistake in his goulmouth. With 19 on the clock, stand-in skipper Connor Oliver equalised for The Robins after nodding home Potter’s cross on the right. Amar Purewal provided Hebburn’s buzz in the final third, getting a clear cut chance in the 54th minute but Hodgson blocked at the front post.

Arron Thompson could’ve got his first Hebburn goal after the hour when Walton drove a ball into the six-yard box, however his effort didn’t challenge Hodgson in the middle of his goal.

Liam Murray and Olly Martin came off the bench and also had great opportunities but couldn't take full advantage. Purewal, who also scored the winner against North Shields in August, got his goal after latching onto Walton's set-piece and blasting into the bottom corner.

The Robins were reduced to 10 in injury time after Regan Patterson was shown a red for an altercation with the referee, and Hebburn managed to hold onto all three points.

TRAINING GALLERY

JAMES HARRISON

AN INTRODUCTION

PLAYER SPONSORS

BY DAVID COULTHARD

Pontefract Collieries currently sit seventh in the league table. Although various teams from Pontefract date back to the 19th century, the current club were founded by a group of miners on the site of an old colliery in 1958 and they continue to play at Beechnut Lane to this day. The Colls won the Yorkshire League in the early 1980s and went on to win back-toback Floodlit Cups later that decade, before adding a Wilkinson Sword Trophy in 1996. It is in recent years however that the club have had its most success. After gaining promotion to the NCEL Premier Division in 2015, ending a 15-year absence, Pontefract were immediately relegated back to Division One the

flight once more at the first attempt. They made it consecutive promotions by winning the NCEL title in 2018 to reach step four for the first time. They almost achieved three in a row when they finished runners up to Morpeth Town, however narrowly lost out 3-0 to Brighouse Town the play-off final in 2018/19. The Colls finished a point above Hebburn in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division last season, and currently sit outside the play-offs after a four-game winless run. They've played Hebburn six times since 2019 and are yet to taste defeat, winning four and drawing two. following season, before returning to the top

Ossett United twice came from behind to deny Pontefract Collieries all three points at Ingfield on Monday. Pontefract took a 32nd minute lead, as Adam Priestley's penalty against his former side proved to be the only goal in the first half

after Mikey Dunn was brought down by Harry Coates. Ossett pulled themselves level just after the hour through Alex Peterson, but within six minutes Spencer Clarke had restored Ponte's lead, finding the net from the edge of the area. It was left to Danny

LAST MEETING

Hebburn stuck their bodies on the line to secure a point at Pontefract towards the start of the season.

Hebburn went in front on 19 minutes in our first chance of the game, as Olly Martin’s cleared corner was powerfully volleyed into the roof of the net by Robbie Spence from 20-yards. Pontefract should've equalised on 38 as Gavin Allott's powerful header inside the six-yard box was somehow clawed out by Shaun Newbrook, and Daniel Moore fought away the rebound. Newbrook gave a penalty away seconds later after clattering into a Pontefract attacker, but he again kept Allott out with a brilliant low stop to his left. Pontefract pressed throughout and The Hornets struggled to advance past the halfway line in the second half. Their pressure paid off on 78 minutes as Allott jinked into

1-1

16 AUGUST 2022

the Hebburn box before finding the bottom right corner to make it 1-1. Straight from the restart, Hornets debutant Will McCamley crossed into Amar Purewal from the left and the forward's header bounced off the foot of the post. Both sides looked for a winner in the last 10, as McCamley went through one-on-one but it was closely called back for offside and Sean Reid hit a 20-yard free-kick straight down the middle. In the dying seconds, Hebburn boss Moore was shown a second yellow after a hard foul, but his side managed to hold onto a point at The Hunters Stadium.

PLAYER SPONSORSSPENCE'S PREVIEW

Robbie Spence reflects on our recent run of form and explains the targets heading into 2023.

The Hornets enjoyed a fine start to 2023 with a 2-1 victory at home to North Shields through Amar Purewal’s late winner. Spence played the full 90 at The Green Energy Sports Ground, and was pleased with how Hebburn grew into the game as time went on.

“It was another difficult game,” he reflected. “We’ve had quite a few close games recently where everyone’s had to really dig in and graft for the three points, and it’s been rewarding to get those results.

“We were quite sloppy in the first half and gave them too much space - we improved in every department in the second half and took

control, and were unlucky not to score a few more.”

Hebburn were missing key striker Liam Henderson, while Arron Thompson and Olly Martin were carrying knocks during the game. The victory makes it three in a row for Hebburn, who also defeated Bridlington and Dunston last month. “It’s a mark of a good team to win games when you’re not at your best,” Spence explained.

“We played well at Dunston and controlled the second half on Monday, which is excellent considering we haven’t played that much recently. “There’ll be games where we dominate and lose, and likewise where we’re sloppy and win.

“The gaffer said after Dunston, when you consider the lack of football we’ve played in the last few weeks, it’s about winning by any means necessary and it’s brilliant to see lads putting

their bodies on the line.

“We had a poor run of form in November but we weren’t playing that badly - we were just making little errors and not taking our chances. “It’s seemed to have gone the other way now and we’re back to where we were at the start of the season - Amar is scoring goals and our defence is staying strong.”

Spence was recently acknowledged after making the most appearances in 2022, missing just one competitive game through suspension. While the club slightly

struggled last campaign, the midfielder hopes the newlook Hebburn side can finish in the play-offs.

“All I want to do is play games and be involved,” he said.

“I’m pleased to be fit and available for selection the majority of time, and then it’s obviously a good feeling for the gaffer to put faith in me.

“It’s a nice accolade to have but I don’t really think about it - without seeing it on paper I wouldn’t have known but it’s definitely great to hear.

“Last year was a transitional year and you could see that by our results - it was our first season in the Northern Premier League and we made a lot of changes to the squad.

“We finished mid-table and it was quite lacklustre, but obviously the club brought in new management and some great players.

“They’ve got great

personalities as well which is what you need - we’ve got some leaders and experience, as well as younger lads who can develop so our squad is in a good place.

“For the rest of this season, play-offs is still definitely the aim and the gaffer has made it no secret that he wants to do well in the Durham Challenge Cup. “They’re the two main aims going into this year - for me

personally, I want to keep fit and keep playing well enough to get selected.”

Hebburn have already played one of six home games in January, and our second takes place on Saturday afternoon against Pontefract Collieries. Spence hailed the support so far this season, and hopes to see another good turnout at The Green Energy Sports Ground. “The support is massive,” he commented. “It’s not just at home to be honest - we’ve had some excellent away support as well this year which is always massively appreciated by the lads. “We’ve got a fair few home games this month so the support will be huge for us to make the most of them and pick up as many points as possible.”

Since 2019, Hebburn have faced Pontefract six times and are yet to record a victory over The Colls.

Spence has played in each meeting, and scored a delightful goal in the 1-1 away draw towards the start of the season.

“They’re always a good side,” added the midfielder. “They play in a certain way with having a strong spine and physical defence so they’re quite hard to break down.

“We’ve never beaten them since I’ve been here - we played well defensively against them in August but shaded off in the final third. “We’re in a decent run of form now and we’re at home with the support behind us so hopefully we can get another win.”

U23S REPORT

NOTICEBOARD

Hebburn Town U23s return to action at 1:30pm this afternoon after a onemonth hiatus.

Gary Henry's men make the journey across the Tyne to face Stanhope Town in the Durham FA Minor Cup second round. The Hornets' second-string defeated Gateshead Redheugh 8-1 in the previous round on November 12. Their last competitive fixture was on November 26, when a 3-0 win at FC United of Newcastle jumped Henry's side to sixth in the Northern Alliance Reeves Independent First Division. “We’re looking forward to Saturday,” the U23s manager previewed. “Jack Robertson scored a hat-trick and Cole Sharp got a brace against Rutherford - Andy Marley, Jordan Nying and Kyle

Oxley scored as well.

“We haven’t played since the end of November and it was a good 3-0 win, however we’ve been limited with training sessions recently due to the weather conditions."

The competition is one which holds significance to Henry, after his side won it in 2020 before losing in the final the following year. “The Minor Cup is always a competition we look to go far in and this year is no different," Henry said. “Hopefully we can achieve success again, but Stanhope can’t be looked past and we need to perform as we know we can.”

The U23s' next home game is on January 14 at 1:30pm against Winlaton Community.