PFC 5 - 4 Colton AFC (04.11.19)

The last time Colton suffered back to back league defeats was April 2018, and having scored 4 away goals you wouldn’t expect a loss. However in a very toe to toe game, PFC won it in the 94th minute.

Colton struck first; new boy Brandon Bennett-Whitmore volleyed in from the edge of the box on 5 minutes with a lovely strike.

Both teams were on the front foot; PFC retaining the ball much better than Colton and being dangerous on the counter. Both goalkeepers had to make fine saves; Chris Hick, deputising for Adam Hartley in the Colton net pulled off some good stops; at the other end James Green saw his low shot turned away by the PFC ‘keeper.

PFC equalised on 20 minutes with a well worked goal and opportunities for both sides, but not taken, were equal leading up to oranges.

Half time 1 - 1

The first 12 minutes of the second half produced 4 goals. On 47 minutes, slack play from Colton allowed PFC to score; then on 55 minutes Jono Goodwin equalised after good build up play. 2-2. Sixty seconds later, James Green made it 2-3 to Colton with a low shot inside the box having held off two strong challenges. Prior to the goal, the referee has to be congratulated here by allowing play to carry on.

It was hectic stuff and made more so when PFC made it 3-3 on 57 minutes after more sloppy play in the Colton defence.

After the goal fest, both teams continued to seek the winner. Again, goalkeepers were kept busy. PFC thought they had scored their 4th goal direct from a free kick. The referee disallowed it as a PFC player was stood too close to the Colton wall. PFC did eventually get their 4th goal from a scramble after a corner. Brave attempts (twice) from Hick couldn’t prevent the ball from sneaking over the line.

Colton were not done. Goodwin scored their 4th with 3 minutes left when his angled shot went in off the far post. Prior that, he hit the bar and Danny Coates also hit a post from an acute angle.

Looked like that was it, until PFC struck their winner on a swift counter attack. 5-4.

There was still time for Colton to snatch another equaliser, however Hick’s header from Goodwin’s corner went just wide.

Final score 5-4.