Ponteland United v Wallington 15 February 2020

Over the last few years there have been some close encounters with local neighbours Wallington and today was expected to be no different. However with Pont on a good run of form manager McIvor was hopeful his team could reverse the corresponding fixture at Scots Gap back in August when Wallington won 2 – 1 in a very close game.

McIvor made two changes dropping himself to the bench for the returning Stephen Little and Dean Gallagher coming in for the unavailable Shane Brooks..

Fortunately the rain had held off which enabled the game to be played but the wind was strong and blustery blowing down the field towards the fire station end.

Pont started with the wind behind them with both sets of players getting used to the conditions both on and off the pitch. The first shot on goal came on ten minutes when captain Havelock-Brown played a neat pass to Louis Calvert who turned and shot powerfully from distance but the ball just cleared the crossbar.

This gave Pont encouragement and Rawlinson produced a great inviting delivery from a corner into the goal area but the ball just evaded everyone and went behind for a goal kick. Havelock-Brown then released Ethan Bewley down the right and he thundered a shot to the near post which keeper Aaron Carr did well to get down quickly and push the ball round the post for another corner. Another excellent in swinging corner from Rawlinson was headed by Little and as the ball found it’s way back to Rawlinson he floated the ball just over the bar. The low goal kick went to Gallagher who quickly played it to Bewley heading goalwards but as he was about to shoot the ball took a nasty bobble and ran off his boot for a goal kick. The visitors in this early period had been on the defensive but not to be outdone Andy Bell showed his credentials with a goal bound shot which deflected of a defender for a corner. Pont dealth comfortably with the flag kick..

As the half progressed Pont had a good period of control and pressure. Rawlinson had a run down the left before producing another excellent cross which just evaded Cook’ head as he ran to meet it. The energetic Cook then chased a ball down the left and was stopped on the by line earning another corner which came to nothing. With half time approaching the visitors continued to defend stoutly with long serving Josh Laverick and Justin Milligan leading by example. Good play from Gallagher saw him play the ball inside to Cook who shot on the turn but it was cleared for another corner. Rawlinson produced another dangerous delivery which fullback Shaun Kirkup volleyed high into the net but his joy was short lived as the referee blew for a free kick for pushing in the goal area. An excellent run by Bewley down the right resulted in three against two in Pont’s favour. . His flighted cross was difficult for Cook and the chance was lost whereas a better option might have been a pull back to Gallagher running strongly in support but that’s easy with hindsight. Gallagher then had his moment. Receiving the ball from the left in a central position eighteen yards from goal he was patient, manouvered the ball into position before despatching it with precision past a diving Carr.

Both teams had contributed to a good game of football in the difficult conditions but Pont, with the wind behind them, would be disappointed not to have a greater margin than just Gallagher’s goal at the half way stage

Early in the second half Pont did have an opportunity to double their lead. Bewley made a good turn and cross from the right but Calvert didn’t quite get a strong enough connection to steer it home. A five man interchange of passes on 55 minutes ended with Hibbitt driving the ball just wide of the upright

At the other end Little uncharacteristically gave the ball away and allowed the visitors to break down the left but a determined Little managed to get back and clear for a corner to atone for his mistake. From the high lofted corner the ball was headed up in the air by three or four players in succession before being scrambled clear by Pont.

With 30 minutes to go Collins came on for a tiring Calvert who had battled well in the difficult conditions. Five minutes later Cook and Hibbitt interchanged passes down the left with Cook cutting inside before releasing a shot goalwards. Carr could only parry the ball out into the path of Bewley who made no mistake striking the ball home. This gave Pont the margin their play deserved but Wallington continued to battle on. Strong but fair challenges intensified and livewire Andy Bell struck another shot over the bar to signal his team’s never say die attitude. However Pont were in no mood to surrender their lead. The excellent Hibbitt hobbled off with five minutes remaining to be replaced by the manager himself. Collins then with excellent close control somehow got through three or four defenders before finding himself clear in front of goal ten yards out but to his disappointment, having done the hard work, didn’t connect with his shot and the ball ran safely to Carr.

The referee, who despite the conditions had handled the game excellently throughout, blew the final whistle after 5 added on minutes with Pont on this occasion overcoming their competitive and hardworking neighbours. Spectators who braved the conditions can only have enjoyed such a fine game with credit to both teams.