Pontefract Collieries return to The Hunters Stadium on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways after three games without a victory. A draw, a defeat, and another draw have kept points ticking over, but the Colls will be keen to turn that run into three points in front of their home fans.
There’s also extra motivation attached to this fixture. The reverse meeting earlier in the season ended in a tough 7–1 defeat at Matlock – a result that will still be fresh in the minds and Saturday offers a chance to respond and show how far the side has come since then.
Recent Form
Despite the heavy defeat at Emley recently – a game where the scoreline didn’t fully reflect spells of Colls’ performance – Ponte have actually lost just once in their last five matches.
That run has included several competitive displays and hard earned points, with last weekend’s 1–1 draw away at Hallam the latest example. The challenge now is turning those solid performances into wins, plus building on solid home form.
The Opposition
Matlock Town arrive in strong form and will provide a stiff test on Saturday. They currently sit fifth in the form guide, having taken 10 points from their last six games, including back-to-back away wins at Bishop Auckland and Grimsby Borough.
There have been goals at both ends during that run, with Matlock conceding 10 goals, suggesting they can be exposed defensively. In the league table, they sit second on goal difference and have two games in hand on those below them, although they are nine points behind league leaders Redcar Athletic. It underlines the size of the challenge facing the Colls, with one of the division’s strongest sides coming to West Yorkshire.
For The Colls, this is about making home advantage count and producing a full 90-minute performance. The Hunters Stadium has already seen some strong displays this season, and the backing from the stands will once again be important.
With recent results showing the Colls are rarely far away, Saturday could be an opportunity to turn solid performances into a statement result.
Fixture: Pontefract Collieries vs Matlock Town
Date: Saturday 13th December
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Venue: The Hunters Stadium
See you at The Hunters Stadium!