Rob Guilfoyle’s first half hat-trick and debutantAdam Haw’s second half brace seized the win for The Colls in their first game of a long pre-season campaign.
First half starting XI: Allinson, Trialist, Nebard, Williams, Turner, Cromack, Trialist, Rothery, Connolly, Priestley, Guilfoyle.
A clear sky set the scene for the Thursday night kickoff at Recreation Ground in Wombwell and the travelling Ponte fans were not left starved for goals.
The first 10 minutes gave very little in the way of clear cut chances until Wombwell found themselves on the counter, which forced Lloyd Allinson into action as he made a stretching save to deny the hosts the lead.
In the 17th minute, Rob Guilfoyle launched a rocket from range that looped over the keeper and into the far corner to open the scoring for Ponte.
It only took another two minutes for The Colls to grab their second of the night as one of the Trialist’s efforts found it’s way to Guilfoyle who, after hitting the post on his first attempt, hammered the ball into the top of the net.
Unfortunately, Gavin Rothery limped off the pitch in the 31st minute with what seemed to be a calf injury and he was unable to return for the remainder of the game.
Even after going down to 10 men (as no substitution was made), the lads continued to dominate as Guilfoyle grabbed his hat-trick in the 37th minute after he turned his man and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Ponte’s dominance continued in the 43rd minute as Guilfoyle and Ben Turner exchanged passes before rolling the ball to Connolly who’s shot forced a save out of the keeper.
Wombwell weren’t leaving the first half without a fight though as they forced a few saves out of Allinson before the ball deflected out for a corner.Subsequently, the corner was cleared to the edge of the box where Gadhafi Kiwanuka scored with the last kick of the half for the hosts.
Second half starting XI: Flatters, Greenhough, Trialist, Smythe, Steers, Burns, Trialist, Baxendale, Haw, Lumsden, Dunn.
The second half team didn’t waste anytime in continuing the scoring as one of the Trialist’s played Mikey Dunn down the line who was brought down for a penalty, which was converted by debutant Adam Haw in the 49th minute.
In the 63rd minute, Connor Smythe blasted a long range free kick that was deflected onto the post by the Wombwell keeper that was followed up by Haw who tapped it home for his brace and Ponte’s fifth of the night.
Wombwell would get their second only 5 minutes later though as Brodie Cooper played a ball through to one of the Wombwell Trialist’s who shot from the byline and scored.
Other than a sensational strike from one of TheColls’ Trialist’s which rattled the bar from the edge of the box, the remainder of the second half offered no major chances and the final whistle was blown.
Hear what gaffer Craig Rouse had to say here: https://youtu.be/OhspuJs9XOc
We face Sherwood Colliery at The Hunters Stadium on Saturday where we’ll be hoping to continue our pre-season with another victory.
Up The Colls.
Match Highlights: https://youtu.be/KFI66263vzc