After securing a comeback draw at home on Saturday, Pontefract Collieries made the long trip to the North East coast aiming to get back to winning ways. Instead, it was a long night in which Redcar Athletic took advantage of key moments to run out 5-1 winners.
Redcar began brightly, enjoying plenty of early possession, and took the lead after 14 minutes. Adam Boyes broke through and was denied by a fine low stop from Lloyd Allinson, but Louis Johnson reacted quickest to bury the rebound. Just minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead when Rio May met a corner delivery with a firm header beating Allinson to it.
Colls slowly grew into the contest and began to enjoy more of the ball in advanced areas. Bailey Thompson went close with a header, while Frankie Sinfield’s curling free kick from the edge of the box was inches away from halving the deficit.
Jimmy Williams’ side started the second half strongly and were rewarded almost immediately. Redcar goalkeeper Josh Mazfari attempted to play out from the back, but his misplaced pass was pounced on by Thompson, who drilled a powerful finish into the corner to make it 2-1.
For a spell Ponte looked the more dangerous side, pressing high and forcing mistakes, but the momentum swung back to Redcar just after the hour. A penalty was awarded when Joe Kenny was adjudged to have pulled his man back in the box. Already on a booking, Kenny was dismissed for dissent, and Johnson stepped up to restore the two-goal cushion.
Down to ten men, Colls continued to battle and created half chances, but as the game wore on, gaps opened up. Brad Fewster made it 4-1 on the counter after his shot deflected past Allinson, before sliding in at the back post to add a fifth with the final kick of the game.
The scoreline perhaps felt harsh, but ultimately Redcar’s ruthlessness and the red card proved decisive.
The Colls must now regroup quickly ahead of Saturday’s West Yorkshire Derby against Ossett United at Ingfield Stadium.