Hall Road Rangers 1, Pontefract Collieries 3

Wednesday March 21

Haworth Park

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division

By Oliver Harsley

Photograph supplied by Lee Myers

PHOTO: Gareth Owen notched Hall Road’s opener against high-flying Pontefract Collieries but would ultimately end up on the losing side.

Image may contain: 1 person, playing a sport, standing and outdoorIt wasn’t the return to action that Hall Road Rangers wanted as they lost 3-1 to Pontefract Collieries at Haworth Park on Wednesday night.

There were some positives that Rangers can take from the game with the most notable one being the level of performance in the first half of the match, whilst young Reggie Waud made his senior debut for the club after progressing through the club’s youth setup.

Hall Road did very well in the first half and took the game to their high flying opposition.

They restricted Pontefract’s attacking threats and also looked to try to get themselves in front.

Rangers took the lead in the 26th minute when Gareth Owen (right) bundled home as the ball broke in the Pontefract box after a corner had been floated in.

They were well worth their lead and were the better of the two sides as half time came.

The second half was less fruitful for Rangers as Pontefract came straight out of the traps and won a penalty very early on in the half.

This was converted by Aaron Moxam which gave the visitors their much needed equaliser.

From then on, Pontefract took control and began to show why they are very high up in the NCEL Premier Division table. The visitors turned things right round and took the lead in the 70th minute as Jack Greenhough produced a special free kick which couldn’t be saved by James Hitchcock in the Hall Road goal.

Things got even worse for Rangers when a second penalty was awarded to Pontefract. This yet again was converted by Aaron Moxam and this clinched the win for the visitors.

Hall Road can take encouragement from this performance despite the result as they played well in the first half and they will look to replicate that when they visit Staveley Miners Welfare this Saturday.

Belief remains within the club that all it will take is one win and that will lead to a rapid improvement in form which will ensure that Hall Road Rangers remain in the NCEL Premier Division at the end of the season.