Makeshift Boro U18s knocked out of FA Youth Cup by visitors Pontefract

After an exciting, evenly contested first half, Boro’s makeshift Under-18s team, almost all of whom had played for their college in the afternoon, were soundly beaten by a skilful Pontefract Collieries side who turned on the style after the break to run out 6-1 victors in the FA Youth Cup at the Scarborough Sports Village.

Charlie Hughes drilled a shot just over for Boro in the opening minute, then skipper Luca Stuttard deflected an Alfie Senior strike over at the other end.

Ponte close in on a Boro U18s player. Photo by Morgan Exley

placeholder image — Ponte close in on a Boro U18s player. Photo by Morgan Exley

Freddie Fletcher forced a good save from Ponte keeper Scott Gelder, who palmed over his 25-yard shot, but the visitors then scored twice in a minute, as a Louis Hart shot was parried by Boro keeper Jacob Askew, with Aaron Hudson slamming in the rebound, then Hudson was left with an easy tap-in after Askew dropped a cross from Hart.

Askew then tipped over a Hart shot, and Boro reduced the arrears when Declan Blair squared for Charlie Collings to blast into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Boro U18s line up a shot against Pontefract. Photo by Morgan Exley

Stuttard bent a free-kick round the Ponte wall, the keeper parried, and Oscar Dawson rammed in the loose ball, but had strayed offside.

Boro keeper Askew dived to push a Lucas Matthews shot wide, Hart had shots blocked by both Toby Ward and Amir Nasser, Ward’s last ditch tackle halted a run into the box from Hart, and Matthews dinked a shot over. In Boro attacks, keeper Gelder held shots from Stuttard, Charlie Collings and Freddie Fletcher, and Dawson volleyed over.

Ponte went 3-1 up when a left-wing cross from Hart was side-footed home by Hudson to complete his hat trick, and just before the interval Boro’s Stuttard had a shot blocked by Harry Butler.

The second half was one-way traffic as the visitors launched a succession of attacks, and the tired Boro defence battled to keep them at bay, with centre-backs Ward and Nasser especially impressing.

Boro Under-18s fire at the Ponte goal during their Youth FA Cup loss at home on Wednesday evening. Photo by Morgan Exley

Nasser tackled both Hart and Alfie Senior when they charged into the area, and Senior dragged a shot wide, before they went 4-1 up on 64 minutes when Senior’s low ball into the goalmouth was tapped in by Hart, and three minutes later Senior blasted home to round off an intricate one-touch passing move involving three players.

Boro keeper Askew made two terrific saves, tipping over fierce shots from both Hart and Senior, but the visitors added a sixth goal when skipper Charlie Kitson slotted in at the back post following a right-wing corner from Butler.

Szymon Skibinski had a shot blocked by Dawson, then dragged another effort wide, and Hart raced into the box but was stopped by a crunching Max Marshall tackle. In a rare Boro attack, Collings charged into the area, but keeper Gelder got down to save at his feet.

The last action of an entertaining game, saw busy Boro keeper Askew beating away a thunderous shot from Skibinski.

Boro U18s celebrate Charlie Collings' goal at home to Ponte. Photo by Morgan Exley

BORO - Askew, Fletcher (Marshall 60), Ware, Ward, Nasser, Blair, Dawson, Stuttard (c), Collings, Hardy, Hughes (Charlesworth 81).

PONTEFRACT - Gelder, Skibinski, Hamby (McDonald 70), Harper (Wedge 41), Domzlski, Kitson (c) (Lee 73), Hudson (Lorimer 81), Butler, Hart, Senior, Matthews (Baragi-Sillah 70), unused subs - Taylor (GK), Van Haazel.

REFEREE - Gary Wroe.

BORO GOAL - Charlie Collings 13; PONTEFRACT GOALS - Aaron Hudson 10, 11, 35, Louis Hart 64, Alfie Senior 67, Charlie Kitson 72.