PHOTO: Tempers flare during yesterday's game, this after Tom Bennett is tripped by a member of the Pontefract dugout
AN excellent team performance saw ten-man Hall Road Rangers return to winning ways yesterday with a 4-2 win over high-flying Pontefract Collieries.
In a fiery encounter, the first half provided little in the way of goalmouth excitement, but at times provided spectators with money well spent on their entrance fee with a number of 'juicy' challenges.
The game sparked into life, within the first ten minutes of the second half, when Josh Batty's opener was instantly cancelled out by a Kane Reece equaliser for the visitors.
Another strike from Batty restored the lead four minutes later, as the youngster, also celebrating his 21st birthday grabbed his third goal in two games.
Rangers were reduced to ten men early in the second half, as midfielder Brad Ricketts was dismissed for his part in an ugly brawl, but this was soon followed by a spectacular strike from skipper Ash Dexter which doubled Rangers advantage before Chris Jackson reduced the arrears, before Scott Phillips popped up for the hosts to secure the points for Hall Road.
The game saw two new debutants enter the fray for Hall Road, Thibault Granger, a young French goalkeeper, studying at Hull University earned the nod after Adam Stevens switch to Armthorpe Welfare in the week, whilst James Whittingham performed well at left-back after arriving from Bridlington Town.
Phil Dobson was unavailable, whilst recent capture Ash Allanson failed to shrug off a hamstring injury in time.
Hall Road settled the quicker as James Piercy fired two similar efforts wide of the upright in the early exchanges.
Pontefract also had their moments but smart defending, most notably from a block by Dexter denied a goalscoring opportunity.
The game always had a nasty element to it, as referee Jerzy Banasik did little to endear himself to either side, by failing to stamp out misdemeanors from both sides early on.
The first sign of disciplinary problems, saw a member of the visiting dugout, inexcusably attempt to trip Rangers midfielder Tom Bennett on his way to taking a throw, whilst Granger was also caught late after gathering a cross from deep, both incidents surprisingly going unpunished.
The best chance of the half fell to Piercy who's rasping half volley on the half hour stung the palms of Ben Saynor, as the effort was at a good height and straight at the keeper.
HALF TIME –
HALL ROAD RANGERS 0,
PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES 0
Pontefract tried to force an opener in the early moments following the restart.
They missed a glorious opportunity when having wriggled clear of the last line of defence Michael Dunn fired harmlessly wide.
It was only three minutes after the restart though before Josh Batty struck to hand Rangers the lead.
Some excellent work by Chris Spinks, punished some sloppy defending, and Spinks needed no second invite as he laid the ball on a plate for Batty to knock home from close range.
With supporters barely settling down from the opener, Rangers were guilty of losing their own concentration and were duly punished practically straight from the restart, when Kane Reece run through to fire into the net, leaving Granger with no chance.
In a frantic spell, Rangers restored their lead through the highly rated Batty, who has proved to be a fine signing since joining from Winterton Rangers.
The young striker rose above his marker, and although his header was bereft of any serious power, his placing was pin-point, as also under the watchful eye of Scott Phillips the ball trickled into the far corner.
The game throughout had threatened to boil over and referee Jerzy Banasik lost complete control on 55 minutes.
A huge melee broke out involving all outfield players from both sides, as players came wading in to try and drag their team-mates away, Dunn, of Pontefract appeared to have lost control, whilst Brad Ricketts and Chris Wood also appeared to have a snap at each other.
Once order was restored though Banasik, from Lincolnshire, showed a straight red card to Ricketts for violent conduct, whilst Dunn and Wood walked away unpunished.
Tempers erupted once more moments later as Granger, for the second time in the afternoon appeared to be caught late whilst on the ground by Chris Jackson and the visiting striker this time was cautioned.
After assessing the situation, five minutes after the dismissal of Ricketts, Dave Ricardo and Bill Gill sacrificed the forward thinking Chris Spinks, for Alex Sherwood in their first change of the afternoon.
Rangers were expected to be camped inside their own half for the remainder, but this never really materialised as every man put in a real shift to keep Pontefract out.
It was midway through the second half, on 65 minutes, that Rangers in fact doubled their advantage.
Blues' skipper Ash Dexter capitilised on a half cleared cross and rifled home an unstoppable effort to finish expertly and spark wild celebrations as he ran over to the home dugout to share in the celebrations.
After Piercy collected a yellow card a number of changes in playing personnel were made.
Jack Binns replaced Josh Batty on the Rangers left whilst Josh Corbett and Michael Dunn were replaced by Mark Whitehouse and Jack Mawson respectively for the visitors.
Rangers again went close to increasing their lead further when Phillips turned his marker, but his long range chip carried too much power and sailed over the crossbar.
The visitors, third going into the contest, refused to admit defeat to their credit and with 18 minutes left on the clock put the game back in the balance.
A superb delivery from the right by captain Andrew Seed was met on the penalty spot by Jackson who steered a powerful header past Granger and into the top right corner.
The expected nervy, final quarter of an hour, again never seemed to materialise though as Rangers continued to defend their goal superbly, keeping their shape and discipline, and working hard when not in possession, this was highlighted by a superb challenge from Danny Norton which sent a goalbound effort out for a corner.
The high quality of Rangers defending, began from the front and the unlikeliest of sources in striker Scott Phillips, who was now a lonesome figure in attack continued to chase everything, he was a little over eager and was maybe unfortunate to collect a yellow card, but with six minutes to go he netted his tenth goal of the season as great persistence, provided the ultimate reward for Rangers leading scorer.
After chasing a long ball down the right hand flank he was second favourite to reach the ball, but his sheer presence and willingness to force the mistake from the covering Pontefract defender ended up in him picking the pocket of his counterpart, and although his first effort was saved by Saynor from the right angle, the rebound fell back to Phillips who made no mistake second time around to make certain of the points.
FULL-TIME –
Hall Road Rangers - 4 (Batty 48, 53, Dexter 65, Phillips 84)
Pontefract Collieries – 2 (Reece 49, Jackson 72)
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT – By David Ricardo and Bill Gill
https://www.facebook.com/233090853409465/videos/1267652339953306/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED
STAR-LARKER – Thibault Granger
In a fine team performance which could of gone to any of Rangers outfield players, Granger stood up to the sometimes overly physical approach from the visitors superbly.
Remained brave throughout and showed great character after been clattered a number of times, and proved he is well worth a run in the team.
VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX – By Neil Winsor
A superb team performance that for me underlined the togetherness of everybody at the club.
The players were maybe under pressure a little to go and get a result against a side that have started the season well, and they didn't disappoint.
Every man stood up to their task, and many sides would have been bullied by Pontefract but we handled it well, barring the red card.
I didn't see the incident which got Brad Ricketts sent off due to the volume of players in the melee, but garnering opinion it appears to be the right decision, although I think earlier decisions led up to the brawl.
A fine three points though against a side that will be thereabouts at the end of April.
HALL ROAD RANGERS: 1. Thibault Granger, 2. Danny Norton, 3. James Whittingham, 4. Brad Ricketts, 5. Ash Dexter (captain), 6. Sam Belcher, 7. Tom Bennett, 8. James Piercy, 9. Scott Phillips, 10. Chris Spinks (Sherwood 58), 11. Josh Batty (Binns 70)
SUBSTITUTES: 12. Alex Sherwood 14. Dane Mortimer, 15. Jack Binns
PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES: 1. Ben Saynor, 2. Jack Greenhough, 3. Luke Jeffs, 4. Andrew Seed (captain), 5. Jimmy Williams, 6. Paul Haigh, 7. Kane Reece, 8. Josh Corbett (Whitehouse 70), 9. Chris Jackson, 10. Chris Wood, 11. Michael Dunn (Mawson 72)
SUBSTITUTES: 12. Mark Whitehouse 14. Jack Mawson
NCEL Division One Results:
Campion 3-0 Teversal
Dronfield Town P-P Brigg Town
Glasshoughton Welfare 2-3 Hallam
HALL ROAD RANGERS 4-2 Pontefract Collieries
Knaresborough Town 2-2 AFC Emley
Rossington Main 3-3 Grimsby Borough
Selby Town 5-0 Westella & Willerby
Shirebrook Town 1-2 Ollerton Town
Winterton Rangers 4-2 Nostell MW
Worsborough Bridge Athletic 1-7 Eccleshill United
Yorkshire Amateur 2-3 Penistone Church
NEXT UP – Pickering Town (Home), NCEL League Cup Third Round, Tuesday October 18, Kick off 7.45pm
Manager Dave Ricardo has admitted his side are likely to make changes for the visit of NCEL Premier Division side Pickering Town as they are midway through a hectic schedule.
Ricardo though has said he will still field a side, that is more then capable of getting a result against their higher ranked opponents.
With next Saturday's FA Vase game at Congleton Town not far away, Tuesday night will provide those coming into the team their last opportunity to stake a place for the trip.
'The Pikes' were without a game yesterday and will be well rested for their trip to Haworth Park.
They are having a fine season so far and are amongst a cluster of clubs in the upper reaches of their division.