Pontefract Collieries returned to winning ways in impressive fashion with a 3–1 victory over North Ferriby in East Yorkshire, responding well to their midweek disappointment.
Keen to get back on track, Jimmy Williams made a couple of changes to the side that had started at Blyth. It was the hosts, however, who came out of the blocks fastest. The pace of Rio Molyneaux caused early problems for the Colls back line and, alongside Lewis Dennison, he tested the visitors in the opening stages — though neither could find a way past Harry Christy.
After a lively start, Pontefract began to settle into the contest. The midfield pairing of Joe Kenny and the returning Elliott Walker started to dictate the tempo, while Jack Wilson and full debutant Alex Pavan looked bright in the wide areas.
The breakthrough came after 11 minutes following an excellent passage of play. Niah Payne worked the ball into Joe Lumsden, who did well to hold it up before returning it into Payne’s path inside the box. Payne then showed good awareness to roll the ball back to the arriving Pavan, who struck a composed first-time finish into the net — a superb team move and a great moment for the youngster on loan from Doncaster Rovers.
With the lead secured, Colls began to grow in confidence and pushed forward in search of a second. Pavan nearly had another when Kenny threaded a clever pass through, but the winger could only guide his effort narrowly wide after creating the angle.
Moments later Ponte thought they had doubled their lead. A flowing move down the right saw Wilson beat two defenders with some neat footwork before firing a dangerous cross across the face of goal. Lumsden stretched to convert but saw his effort come back off the post.
At half-time it was the visitors who looked the more comfortable of the two sides, though the game remained finely balanced.
North Ferriby again started the second half quickly and Christy was forced into action early, spreading himself well to deny Molyneaux after the forward was in on goal.
Five minutes into the half, the hosts were handed a route back into the game. Jack Greenhough appeared to be shepherding the ball out of play but was adjudged to have fouled his man inside the area, much to the frustration of the travelling support. Dennison stepped up and fired the penalty home to level the scores.
Rather than dent Ponte’s confidence, the equaliser seemed to reignite their intensity. Soon after, the Colls thought they had a penalty of their own when Pavan nipped in behind following a defensive mix-up and was bundled over in the box, but appeals were waved away by the officials.
Pontefract continued to press and were rewarded when they regained the lead. Alfie Perry’s effort from distance was spilled by goalkeeper Ben Bottomley, and Niah Payne reacted quickest to stab home from close range.
Ten minutes later the visitors extended their advantage. Sustained pressure in the final third led to a set-piece situation that dropped to the edge of the box. Kenny brought the ball down with his chest, set himself and fired a well hit strike into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club — the dubious goals panel won’t need to get involved despite a slight deflection!
From there, The Colls managed the game well and saw out the closing stages with composure. When the final whistle sounded in East Yorkshire, the travelling supporters were in full voice after watching their side secure a well-earned three points.
The victory ensured Pontefract bounced back in the best possible way, with attention now turning to the next test away at Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday night.
Player of the Match: Joe Kenny
An outstanding performance in midfield. Kenny dominated the centre of the park, winning battles, recycling possession, and capping off his display with a superb first goal for the club.