Pontefract Collieries fell to their first league defeat of the season as Bradford (Park Avenue) ran out 3–0 winners at Ingfield Stadium on a sun soaked Bank Holiday Monday.
The opening half was evenly contested, with neither side able to stamp real authority on the game.
Pontefract perhaps shaded the play, pressing with long throws and dangerous crosses into the box. Their best chance came in first-half stoppage time when Josh Burns rose highest to flick a header goalward, only for visiting keeper Jack Hall to somehow tip the effort onto the bar with a remarkable save.
The contest swung early in the second half. A soft foul wide on the right gave Avenue a set-piece opportunity, and Mark Beevers met the delivery at the back post to poke his side in front.
Moments later, fortune favoured the visitors when a loose ball fell kindly to Charlie Winfield, whose curling effort found the far corner.
Although Pontefract tried to rally, the visitors held firm, and with Avenue in control, a third goal arrived towards the end. Former Colls man Louie Chorlton won a free kick on the right, and Winfield’s delivery took a wicked deflection to wrong foot everyone and seal the victory.
It was a tough result on Jimmy Williams’ side, who had competed well in the first half, but the visitors’ clinical finishing and second half dominance ensured they returned to Bradford with the points.
Player of the Match: Niah Payne – a constant threat with the ball at his feet and tireless in his work off it, even in difficult circumstances.
Attendance: 352
