Pontefract Collieries v Penrith Extra Preliminary Round, Saturday 15th August 2009

For my first game, I opted for a trip to Pontefract as the first game of my campaign. The hosts were founded in 1958 and have remained in the Northern Counties East League, since joining as founding members in 1982. They currently occupy the First Division, a mere 5 promotions from League football. The visitors, Penrith FC, have been around since 1894 and currently occupy the First Division of The Northern League which is one tier higher than their hosts in the pyramid system of non-league football.

Setting off on a warm but grey day in Stalybridge, the first leg of my train journey was to change at Huddersfield, the rather dated train had its heating system stuck in the on position which was far from ideal in the middle of August. Twenty minutes between trains at Huddersfield gave me the opportunity to check out the farmers market outside the station, which reaped its own reward for later in the evening.


From Huddersfield it was onwards to Wakefield, which possibly boasts the most depressing station in the country in the form of Wakefield Kirkgate. I had got myself stuck there for an hour a few months back when messing up a connection at Leeds, so when the train pulled in and a timetable on the station wall seemed to indicate I could also get my Pontefract connection from nearby Westgate I gleefully jumped back on the train. On arrival at Westgate it turned out I had got it tragically wrong and would have to head back to Kirkgate, for compensation I availed myself of the essential pre-match prawn sandwiches from the station shop to help fend of the hangover from Friday that had announced its arrival.



One more change of trains was required at Castleford, before I finally arrived Pontefract's Monkhill station just before 2.30. Thankfully the ground was located and reached within 15 minutes, despite being almost hidden in a field on the outskirts of the town centre.


Having located the grounds only turnstile, an old school one at that, and paid my £5 admission I was delighted to discover the small Skinner Lane stadium boasted a very nice little bar and I was able to get a quick pre-match pint under my belt.






By now it had turned out to be a fine afternoons sunshine and the two teams took to the pitch for the, now customary, pre-match handshakes.




As the match got under way, it was clear early on the Penrith were the stronger side playing a good passing game, switching the ball from wing to wing with consummate ease. In the background, Ferrybridge power-station provided an imposing backdrop. I was surprised to learn that it gets some of its coal from nearby Kellingley Colliery - one of only 3 pits left open in Yorkshire.


In the first 5 minutes Penrith managed to force 3 corners, as Pontefract tried to weather the early storm, including one fine tip over the bar from 'keeper Rob Poulter.




After 10 minutes, Penrith broke the deadlock with a simple ball through the middle to Martyn Coleman who had got behind the centre-halves and coolly slotted the ball passed the oncoming keeper. Shortly after the trick was repeated, this time it was Dan Robinson who was unlucky to hit the underside of the bar. Further chances followed and the second goal seemed inevitable.


After this Pontefract managed a brief revival and nearly managed an unlikely equaliser when Ryan Sykes managed to beat James Holland only to see his shot squeeze just wide. Penrith finally got the second goal they were looking for when Dan Robinson sprung the offside trap once more and selflessly side footed the ball to Craig Wilson who converted the simplest of chances.

In the second half Pontefract looked a lot more composed and managed to make a game of it, initially.



The game was finally put beyond all doubt with two further goals. The first, a well placed free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner from Graham Anthony with the keeper rooted to the spot. Anthony had turned away in celebration before the ball had even hit the net. The Penrith fan next to me, who was also providing updates to Radio Cumbria on his mobile, informed me that Anthony was the corner taker when Jimmy Glass scored his famous goal that saved Carlisle United a few years ago. Dan Robinson made it 4-0, poking the ball and the keeper for s deserved goal. John Dowle pulled one back for the home team just before the end after a bit of penalty-box pinball.

All in all a very enjoyable game witness by a crowd of about 50, Pontefract's dream is over for this year and Penrith are rewarded by a trip to Jarrow & Boldon in the next round.

I will be paying a visit to Sheffield FC who await the winners of the Flixton v Winsford replay.