Pontefract Collieries travel to County Durham tonight to face Newton Aycliffe, looking to build on Saturday’s victory at North Ferriby and strengthen their position in the play-off places.
The hosts come into the game struggling for form, currently sitting bottom of the division’s form guide with just one point from their last six matches and a goal difference of -17 during that run. Heavy defeats against Bradford (Park Avenue) and Matlock Town in their last two outings have only added to the pressure. Newton Aycliffe also find themselves inside the bottom four, sitting five points adrift of Ossett in 18th, meaning every point is crucial as they look to climb away from the relegation zone.
For Colls, the picture is very different. Saturday’s win at North Ferriby ensured Ponte remain inside the play-off places, and another victory tonight would see them leapfrog Bradford (Park Avenue) in the table — even if only temporarily — as the race for the top five continues to tighten.
The two sides last met on the opening day of the season, when a Bailey Thompson brace secured a 2–0 win for Colls at Ingfield Stadium during the ground share with Ossett United.
With both sides fighting for points at opposite ends of the table, tonight’s clash promises plenty riding on it. Kick-off is at 7:45pm at The Ashcourt Group Stadium DL5 5AG.