After the high of the previous weeks away cup win at Nostell Priory, Pocklington Under 19 team came back down to earth with a bump last Tuesday (19th November) with a home defeat against Pontefract Collieries. On a frosty night that nearly caused the game to be called off, Pock suffered a disastrous first half and conceded three goals with a combination of poor defending and a lacklustre performance that belied the progress that this team have been making in recent weeks. They weren't helped by losing two of the starting back line, skipper Steve Bielby and Tom Taylor to first half injuries, leading to a reshuffle of their defence with midfielders playing out of position.

 

A strong half time team talk sent them out in a much more animated state and Sam Shipleys intuitive through ball picked out Callum Quartons run behind the Ponte right back for a superb left foot volley into the far top corner on the hour to pull one back. George Alports threaded pass to James Hudson sae his quality finish make it 3-2 five minutes later and with Pock doing all of the pressing, Ponte were indebted to a great save from their keeper on 75 minutes, tipping over a great volley from Dan O'Connor to ensure that they just kept their noses in front. With Pock forced to keep pressing in search of the equaliser, Pontefract were able to break on the counter and despite great defending from Alport, Sam Beales, Ben Tunbridge and keeper Nathan Redpath, Ponte made the game safe on 86 minutes when they caught Town tiring and from a throw in, worked a passing move that made it 4-2.

 

There was still time for Pock to see an O'Connor free kick tipped onto the crossbar but Town paid the price for not getting going until they were 3-0 down. Last Tuesday (26th) saw them take on Scarborough Athletic U19's at home before they travel to Selby Town on the 2nd of December.