Local Sport
Issue 1048
Call 0114 283 1100
14th February 2019
www.looklocal.org.uk
23
STEELS LOSE TO FIVE STAR PONTEFRACT
Local Sport ERNEST THORPE Halifax Road, Thurgoland 0114 2882152
MOT’s £35.00 NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Mon - Fri 8.30 am - 5.00pm Sat 8.30 am - 12.00 noon Stocksbridge PS 0-5 Pontefract Collieries By Owen Harrison
Half way through the first half however, Ben Rhodes was substituted for Luke Mangham after pulling his groin during play.
One of the star performers on the pitch, Rory Coleman, was called into action just before the 15th minute mark, as he The second half wasn’t much better from the was on the line to head away a shot by Nickolas Guest that hosts, although they had a few good opportuniSTOCKSBRIDGE Park Steels fell to was destined for the bottom right corner. ties through Luke Mangham and captain Liam their third loss in six games as they were Mcfadyen. A great opportunity for Stocksbridge to find a way back into outclassed by a Pontefract Collieries side the game went begging, as Brody Litchfield’s shot at an angle Kler Heh’s debut ended in the 55th minute as he which sit third from top in the Evo-Stik was spilled by Ryan Musselwhite but no Steels player was was substituted for former Maltby Main striker East Division. there to slot home into an empty net. and the so called ‘Ice man’ Danny Frost. The visitors, managed by Craig Perry, Soon after, Eli Hey, another outstanding performer on the Pontefract Collieries could have got a fourth on boasted a great record coming into the tie field, played a through ball in which to set up Nickolas the hour mark when Jake Picton smashed the ball at the Look Local Stadium, losing only two Guest, one on one, and like the prolific striker that he is, he against the crossbar, and on the other end of the of their last five games and brimming with converted it past Adam Kelsey who was left helpless by his field soon after, Scott Ruthven miscontrolled a gloconfidence after thrashing mid table Wisdefence. rious one-on-one opportunity that was cleared by bech Town 4-0 last week. Photos Ian Revitt
Stocksbridge, meanwhile, came into the tie lacking confidence after a 4-0 thumping to top of the table Morpeth Town and from the first blow of the whistle, Stocksbridge never seemed to move through the gears, losing out on many second balls, and giving away silly challenges that the referee made note of. The first real chance of the game fell to Alex Wiles, who was by far one of the best players on the field representing the Steels yellow and blue home strip. After great build up play from Scott Ruthven and Brody Litchfield, the midfielder sent it over the bar. However, Pontefract Collieries’ dominance soon shone through. The lead for Pontefract came in the fourth minute as Eli Hey nodded in after a mistake by Adam Kelsey in which he attempted to punch the ball away from immediate danger and fell to the goal poacher. The visitors were denied multiple times by Adam Kelsey, notably when he tipped over a long range shot by Pontefract striker Michael Dunn, forcing a corner. The hosts were then left exposed by a high cross which fell perfectly to Eli Hey who then slotted into the bottom left corner from close range to bag his brace.
the Pontefract keeper, whom was called into action on numerous occasions in the second period. A fourth was added in the 83rd minute as Vaughan Redford was left with acres of space to curl home and a late counter attack then added the gloss to the Pontefract win as Jack Greenhough cooly finessed in a fifth. Stocksbridge have conceded nine goals in two outings now, and with the relegation battle tightening up, Steels need to start chalking up some points if they want to avoid relegation to the NCEL Premier Division, all starting with another home outing next Saturday against Brighouse Town.
Ambitious Pegg takes first steps on the ladder
FOLLOWING a day long assessment day, attended by over 300 boys from across the county, ambitious Stocksbridge rugby junior Alex Pegg, 14, has been selected for the England Rugby Development Player Programme and attended his first skills and technique session last Monday. The talented youngster, who is a developing centre three quarter, hopes that this is a stepping stone in his bid to represent Yorkshire County and eventually fulfil his ambition to join the ranks of the professional game. He will be put through his paces each month by the Yorkshire Carnegie Academy coaching staff, who will monitor his future development. Stocksbridge Rugby Junior Club chairman Chris Ibbotson said: “We’re very pleased for Alex and his selection is well deserved. We have high hopes for him and this selection is a reflection on his hard work and the efforts of the junior coaching team at the club.” The club have provided Alex with his training kit and the photo with club skipper Ricky Rowett shows him receiving his shirt.
