Hall Road Rangers vs Pontefract Collieries
Saturday November 14
Buildbase FA Vase Second Round
Haworth Park
By Neil Winsor
PHOTO: Bill Gill is all smiles ahead of tomorrow’s FA Vase tie with Pontefract Collieries (courtesy of the Bootiful Game)
HALL Road Rangers are looking to equal their best ever FA Vase run tomorrow with the visit of Pontefract Collieries to Haworth Park.
Not since 1999 have Rangers gone past this stage, however they are on familiar ground having reached this stage of the competition last season, before battling bravely, but going down to Bottesford Town.
With spirit in the Haworth Park camp at an all-time high Rangers boss Bill Gill is confident of his side replicating some fantastic performances in the opening three months of the current campaign.
“Saturday is another one of those games that the players can’t wait to play in, and considering our recent form the lads believe they can progress to the next round.”
Gill also paid homage to the start made by Pontefract Collieries who came up with Hall Road last season.
The Colls’ set the NCEL Premier Division alight scoring five goals, in six consecutive fixtures through late August into September and have scored 62 goals in their 15 league games so far.
They have lost 30 goal striker Chris Jackson, as well as Jordan Turner but they replaced them with the highly rated Eli Hey, who netted 42 times for Campion in their first NCEL First Division campaign last term.
Pontefract’s recruitment was something not lost on the Hall Road boss, and they will be afforded the respect they deserve, but will not be feared by a Hall Road side unbeaten themselves in seven matches:
“We are also aware that our opponents have great form too and have recruited well this season.
It’s great to see any team come up to this level and have a great start like they have, we have to give them respect for that.
However Saturday is about us as a club, and we have a great opportunity to progress again in the competition and most of all put in another performance like we have so often this season.”
Hall Road will not be at full strength admittedly for the test, however they have showcased their depth twice again in the last seven days, when they blew Worksop Town away last weekend, before another success at home to Reckitts in midweek, in a game which was admittedly a lot closer.
Rangers have also this week welcomed back Jack Griffin from Bridlington Town whilst Josh Vickers has also returned to the club, two hungry players which add to the existing pool at Gill’s disposal.
“We have a couple of injury concerns, but like I’ve repeatedly said all season we are fortunate to have quality hungry players wanting starts so I have no headache there.
Last season we shared the spoils with Pontefract.
We beat them at home with ten men and then they beat us convincingly at their home.
I’m sure Pontefract feel they owe us one after finishing as runners up to us, so it should make for a great game.
I hope the fans come out and support us in numbers.” Gill concluded
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