Liam Radford scored Pontefract’s equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Nostell
Liam Radford completed Pontefract Collieries’ comeback in the 2-2 draw at Nostell Miners Welfare.
Nostell flew out of the blocks to take a deserved 2-0 lead so the signs were not good for Pontefract, especially when manager Nick Handley was ejected from the technical area.
Aaron Moxam’s penalty brought Pontefract back in from the cold and Radford went onto secure a point for his side.
The rare Friday night Toolstation NCEL Premier Division clash attracted double Nostell’s normal attendance and Paul Lines must have thought luck was changing for his team after 12 minutes.
Nostell’s positive start was backed up by a superb long range strike from winger Lee Turner which goalkeeper Ellis Halpine was unable to keep out.
Looking to end seven league games without a win, Nostell played with real purpose and intent and Turner was inches away from scoring again minutes later.
The Garforth-based player did provide for the second goal as his cross was mis-hit by James Kitson, but still somehow looped into the net.
Nostell’s luck began to run out in a bizarre few minutes on the stroke of half-time.
Lee Turner, left, gave Nostell the lead
The red mist descended on Pontefract Collieries boss Nick Handley, who was removed from the technical area for the first time in his managerial career
Whilst Handley became involved in a heated exchange with assistant referee Mark Findlay, Pontefract launched an attack at the other end.
Handley kicked a number of training cones in the air and vented his anger over an earlier challenge on the halfway line as Nostell captain Max Elliott pulled down Moxam in the penalty area.
Referee Ian Johnston then went across to Findlay and sent Handley, who was also frustrated with the later than advertised kick off, to the changing rooms – the second manager dismissal in consecutive games at Nostell on the back of joint Athersley boss Jason Dodsworth’s removal two weeks ago.
After a long delay, Moxam’s spot kick was too powerful for goalkeeper Ed Hall to keep out.
Pontefract wasted no time in finding an equaliser within minutes of the beginning of the second half.
Nostell looked a rattled side as popular striker Radford lashed a firm effort into the bottom corner.
The Collieries were then the better side for a long period, but were unable to break Nostell down.
The home side enjoyed a brief flurry of chances at the death and James Kitson almost won it with a deflected effort that flew just wide.
Nostell Miners Welfare manager Paul Lines: “We conceded the goal before half-time and then straight after half-time and it is a little bit of a disease with us at the minute.
“To be honest though, I’m actually really pleased with them because we played some nice football tonight.
“We had plenty of chances and we looked quite solid. At the end of the day, we haven’t lost the game.”
Pontefract Collieries manager Nick Handley: “I’m disappointed because the way we performed in the first half was awful.
“We were second to every ball and they were hungrier and sharper than us. I was pleased with the character we showed to come back into it, but I’m disappointed because I see it as two points dropped.
“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. Luckily the penalty on the stroke of half-time has bought us a lifeline.
“Luckily we have climbed the mountain and got something out of it which is better than nothing.
“The lads are honest and they’ve admitted that it was the worst first half performance they have put in for a long, long time.”
On his removal from the technical area: “I went in and shook the hands of the officials at half-time and apologised.
“It was frustration because I thought the lad went in with studs up and nothing was given. Luke Forgione has a stud mark so surely it was a dangerous tackle even though he did get the ball.
“But, the officials today were arrogant. We should have had a 7.30pm kick off and when I went to see them about it they were arrogant about it by saying we were kicking off at quarter to eight.
“We had warmed up ready for a 7.30pm kick off.
“I was disappointed when I went in at 7.20pm to see where they were because I hadn’t seen them warm up and they insisted on a 7.45pm kick off.”
Nostell Miners Welfare: Hall, Donaghue, Allsop, Beaston, B Kellett (Johnson 82), Elliott (captain), Turner, Davies, Kitson, Judson (L Kellett 77), Gordon. Subs unused: Mhlolo, Tonkinson.
Pontefract Collieries: Halpine, Heeley, Whitehouse, Danby (captain), Danville, Forgione, Leonard (Lumb 85), Joseph, Radford (Williams 77), Moxam, Mawson (Catton 60). Subs unused: Rouse, Corbett.
Referee: Ian Johnston
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 155
Man of the match: Lee Turner (Nostell Miners Welfare)
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