The Collieries return to winning ways with a clinical away victory at the hands of Winterton Rangers, where Bailey Thompson scored twice in the first half to put the visitors in control.
On the back of a defeat and a draw Pontefract were looking to get back on the winning trail, at Winterton Rangers who had won two from their last three heading into this.
It was the hosts who arguably started the better of the teams, pressing high up the pitch from the off and Scott Matthew’s making runs from midfield causing issues.
It was that man Matthew’s who should have broken the deadlock. He latched onto a through ball – with only Lloyd Allinson to beat – but managed to strike the outside of the post to miss a glorious chance.
The Colls made them pay on the tenth minute, Allinson’s clearance found its way through to Adam Haw on the counter. He twisted and turned and got a shot off only for it to bounce back off the post, but Bailey Thompson was on hand to hit home from close range despite the defender’s best efforts.
In the glaring low sun it was the visitors who grabbed a second, a lovely move it was as well. Harry Spratt reacted to a loose ball and his pass found Connor Smythe who in turn realised Jack Vann. The stalwart who returned to the midfield fed Jack Greenhough, who found Adam Haw in the pocket. Haw then expertly rolled the ball into the channel to Louie Chorlton and his perfect cross was converted by Bailey Thompson, for his and Pontefract’s second of the match.
The West Yorkshire outfit had moved things up a gear and were starting to dominate the game, which appeared to frustrate the home side as a number of rash challenges flew in. Only a combination of a last ditch block or goalkeeper kept the score to two at the break. The only blemish was Jack Steers limping off with a knock, he was replaced by Josh Burns.
The second half started with Ponte still on the front foot and with only seven minutes of the second half it was 0-3. A corner from the right swung in by Smythe found Thompson, he managed to control inside a packed box and teed up Haw to fire home.
Chances continued to follow for Craig Rouse’s men as the forwards sensed blood, but in truth the Winterton stopper did well to keep the score to what it was at times.
With the clock ticking on and Frankie Sinfield on as a substitute, he picked the ball up on the left and broke into the box where his magic feet saw him danced past his man – only to be upended, penalty! Jack Boyle, who again had played a big role, stepped up to calmly find the bottom left corner for our fourth.
The perfect away performance was only slightly dampened by a late goal. A long ball was flicked on a missed clearance under pressure saw Owen Vincent break clear on Allinson, he kept his nerve to score a consolation.
At the final whistle The Colls faithful, who had been in fine voice and of good number, showed their appreciation and that was reciprocated by the players and staff. A great result that saw us return to fifth in the table.
Player of the Match: Bailey Thompson, who scored his fifth in his six matches since joining the club.
Match Highlights: https://youtu.be/vgu1knToA94
Post Match Reaction: https://youtu.be/53erPcBEI-A
Up next for the Collieries is a home fixture against newly promoted Newton Aycliffe (18/11/23 – 3pm KO).