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Ex Hallam manager, Julian Watts has now taken the helm at Shirebrook since Mark Shaw's appointment at Worksop Town. Speaking to Watt's a couple of weeks ago, he seemed very optimistic and from what I've seen recently in a couple of Town`s friendlies...he has every reason to be.
Assisted by two very experienced players in Mark Camm and Danny Bacon, the benefits of mixing youth and some sound experience looks to be paying dividends both on and off the pitch.
With both of today`s Clubs mooted as potential promotion candidates in the Ncel Division 1 curiosity had the better of me, making this fixture the first game of the new campaign. Pontefract will be keen to get off to a good start and hopefully improve on their fifth spot finish to last season, just one place above Shirebrook..hence Dudsey's interest in today's fixture.!!.
A big mention to all the staff behind the scenes who have made some major improvements at Langwith Road, one side of the ground is now totally covered, new turnstile's have been installed and the place has a very fresh feel about it.
On the face of it 0-0 sounds like a pretty boring opener to anyone`s season but both sides played some decent football. Watts has instilled some fine one touch football into Shirebrook`s game whilst Pontefract always looked dangerous on the break.
Shirebrook got the game of to a start and both sides looked fairly evenly matched, both defences looked tight with the towering figure of Ross Henshaw having the aerial dominance in Shirebrook`s box. Pontefract also seem well organised through Michael Staley and the watchful eye of Craig Robinson who didn`t miss much.
Aaron Moxam looked nippy going forward but Staley had got him well pegged down...if not a tad too clingy at times. Pontefract had a penalty shout dismissed, ball to hand...hand to ball, either way the Ref was having none of it, something he failed to acknowledge for both sides on numerous occasions during the game.
Moxam had a golden opportunity of Town`s first half just before the break as he eventually managed to beat Ponte's efficient off-side trap, one on one with the Craig Parry he ran on a little to close leaving his chipped shot just within the grasp of Ponte`s No1. Town went close again as Craig Getliff`s shot came rattling back off the woodwork...All square at half-time.
Shirebrook came out the brighter of the two sides in the second half and had two or three decent chances early on but the balance of play soon evened out as the half progressed. Ponte's defence and the well capable Parry managed to keep Town`s advances bay. Whilst at the other end Shirebrook`s defence was also still unrepentant at succumbing in the final third.
Quick on the break and hungry for an opener the visitors got their second half rolling in the middle quarter with Liam Radford and Nathan Perks spearheading Ponte`s advances. Their finest chance came as Andrew Catton struck a lovely ball from distance and looked every inch a goal heading into the top left-hand corner only for Joe McCormack to pull of a fine save.
Shirebrook took to switching tactics and the flow of the game changed again, Ben Cobley and Matt Thompson took advantage of ample space down the right flank, pressing deep into the visitors half chances started to materialise again, much to the concern of some dignitaries from Pontefract to Dudsey`s left.
Shirebrook`s best chance of the second half fell to the feet of Ben Cobley, a challenge just outside the box saw the home-side awarded a free-kick, the pacey wing-back struck a sweet shot only for Parry to pull off another fine save..pushing it just wide of his left hand stick.
Pushing for a goal, Shirebrook kept knocking but the difference between goal`s conceded and a clean sheet was Craig Parry. Ponte took advantage of Shirebrook`s push for a goal and hit Town on the break on a few occasions but good defending from both sides saw the game finish goal-less.
Not an ideal start for an opening game from supporter or a neutral in search of goals and although the points were shared both sides played some attractive and enjoyable football. Shirebrook enjoyed a few more clear-cut chances on goal than the visitors, whilst they could argue a denied penalty shout didn`t help their cause today.
Either way, a decent enough game of football from two sides who I am sure will figure in the Top 5 come the end of the season.
My Men of the Match - Shirebrook - Ben Cobley (excellent on and off the ball). Pontefract - Craig Parry (the difference between clean sheets and goals conceded).
Click here for Match Pictures
Attendance - 147
Admission - £4
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