PARKGATE AND PONTEFRACT TOUGH OUT A DRAW

PARKGATE 2 V PONTEFRACT COLLS 2
NCEL PREM @ ROUNDWOOD
2 SEPTEMBER 2015 7.45pm

MAIN STAND BEHIND THE ENTRANCE GOAL

A strike mid way through the second half from Aaron Moxam secured Pontefract a point after they had gone into the break 2-1 down, thanks to a Sam Foulds double.
A nice quick trip up to Rotherham with Mr P allowed the blog to re visit Parkgate FC for a further visit but the first time for the blog.  Situated in the Rawmarsh district of Rotherham it overlooks the massive steel works, although probably less massive than a few years ago sadly.  The whole Roundwood complex is a sporting highlight with bowls, golf, football and I believe cricket.  With Rotherham Utd using the site as a base for their reserve games its adds a further importance to the site.  The large club with bar situated upstairs offers commanding views over the surrounding area.
As we approach the darker night there is also a threat of rain which later manages to come down with some force during the first half scattering many to the small amount of covered accommodation here and sadly limiting the pictures and quality of.

TURNSTILE ENTRANE TO PARKGATE FC

The ground is situated on a ledge and as we enter through the turnstile to the left are the porta-cabin changing rooms the teams used to change just off the edge of the ground under the club but I guess league requirements forced them into this change.  The far touch line is not available for spectators and is surrounded by a large conifer hedge which tests the cutters art as it breaks the slop away from the pitch side.  To the main part of the ground and behind the goal behind which we enter is a small terrace area before a once again small tea hut, today I'm afraid it was just a sausage roll as I had earlier heard somebody say 'no chip cobs'.  The small seated area is immediately to the side of the snack bar with the confusing seats that tip up the wrong way and have caught me out on previous occasions.  Moving round the far touchline offers a lovely raised view above the pitch with a small two stepped covered standing area.  Behind the dug outs the terracing gets a little deeper but is uncovered before narrowing off towards the corner flag.  Behind the far goal is flat uncovered standing that brings us back to the conifer hedge again.  So its a funny little ground with quite a character with the lovely high viewing position of the game from the touchline.

RUSS EAGLE IN COMMAND OF ALL AS HE OVERSEES PRE MATCH TRAINING

Again as per the last few games good to catch up with a few fellow hoppers, Pete and Malcolm the latter from Rotherham and the chap who got the blog into NCL Rugby League in the summer.  It was also nice to catch up with Pontefract manager Russ Eagle who the blog recalls from his Alfreton Town days.

OVERVIEW OF ROUNDWOOD PARKGATE FC

So to the game and with the rain starting early in the first half the ball was skidding around off the surface with the opening goal going Pontefracts way after 8 minutes.  Max Leonard forced a good parrying save out of Ben Blunt with his edge of the box drive before the in running Liam Radford to smash the ball into the roof of the net.  Parkgate upped their game after the early shock and got a deserved equaliser on 26 minutes when Sam Foulds headed home well and its was the same player who gave Parkgate the lead after 32 minutes with a superb strike from 20 yards that flew past Craig Parry in the visitors goal.

PONTY'S RUSS EAGLE DIRECTS PROCEEDINGS

Parkgate had shown an increase in tempo after that early shock goal for the visitors and although they started the second half in a similar vein the visitors gradually forced there way back into the game and the encounter as swinging their way when the equalised on 69 minutes when Reubon Jerome crossed for Radford to fire home to make it 2-2.  That's the way it ended with Pontefract pushing for a winner the referee's whistle arrived to call time on both teams efforts and for the second blog game running a draw was a fair result.
A soggy evening in Rotherham but an entertaining game on a nice playing surface.