The Colls were looking for their first win of the calendar year, whilst looking to put an end to three straight defeats. They were travelling to fellow league strugglers Tadcaster Albion, who beat Bridlington Town 4-0 the previous weekend.
With games getting called off in the league with strong winds across the north of england, we were pleased to be looking forward to a ding dong battle at Tadcaster. The hosts named an unchanged side from the week previously, with Ponte making a couple of changes which saw the return to the starting line up of Jack Steers, Fabian Bailey and Luke Hinsley.
Ponte got off to a lively start and despite playing against the wind were keen to get forward. Gavin Rothery and Joe Lumsden were linking up well, but it was a case of not being able to find the killer ball in the fonal third.
Tadcaster had a couple of chances themselves to break the deadlock, a volley from Burgess flew over despite being offside and a free kick drifted all the way through and wide for a goal kick.
Pontefract’s back line were defending resolutely through Clarke and Steers, with a solid midfield in front of them. They were able to hold on to their clean sheet to the half time whistle leaving them attacking with the wind in the second stanza.
The Colls came out with their tales up and were peppering the Tadcaster box in the early exchanges of the half, but once again just missing the finishing touch. A penalty shout was also waved away after Lumsden was upended in the box.
Jimmy Williams stopped a quick Tadcaster counter attack down the left wing, he chased across the pitch to shut down the Taddy winger and chopped his man down. He received a yellow card despite the protests from the home side.
With an hour on the clock the deadlock was broken. Stand in ‘keeper George McMahon’s free kick was met by Jack Greenhough, he flicked on to Spencer Clarke who in turn flicked the ball into the box. Joe Lumsden rose highest to meet the ball around 12 yards out and his looping header found its way into the far post. 0-1 Ponte!
Lumsden almost grabbed his second goal, he was denied by a smart save by Hughes. But it wasn’t long until the second goal came. A Jack Greenhough long through from the right was flicked on by a home defender, where Luke Hinsley sweeping round the back was on hand to volley home. 0-2 to Pontefract and the away fans behind the goal were enjoying themselves in the cold windy conditions.
Scott Smith was brought on to the field along with Nick Guest and they were stretching Tadcaster in behind and with Gavin Rothery with them Ponte were close to snatching a third.
Tadcaster had a couple of late shots on goal but they were unable to worry the Ponte defence, Carr was denied by McMahon in the latter stages to claim a clean sheet on debut. A wonderful afternoon for the Colls supporters who travelled in numbers with fans, players and staff applauding one another.
Attendance: 277
Tadcaster Albion Team;
Hughes, Howarth, Hartley, Deacey, Burton, Omolokun, Carr, Russell, Burgess, Church, Chimalilo
Subs: Amponsah, Fisk, Ferguson, Crook and Roper.
Pontefract Collieries Team;
George McMahon, Jack Greenhough, Ben Turner, Jimmy Williams, Jack Steers, Spencer Clarke, Fabian Bailey (Brook), Jack Vann, Joe Lumsden (Smith), Luke Hinsley (Guest), Gavin Rothery
Subs: Jack Shepherd, Callum Brook, Scott Smith, Joao Rangel and Nick Guest.