The Colls pushed Frickley Athletic into further relegation worries with a convincing away win, this gave Ponte a league double over their El-Clasicoal rivals. All despite being down to ten men (again) for an hour.
Ponte started much the brighter of the sides and pinned the hosts in their own half despite playing up the hill. Early chances came and went for a side with a number of changes from Saturday’s defeat to Dunston.
It wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, Ben Morris latched onto a loose clearance before releasing a low stinging shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner. The away fans behind the goal celebrated, whilst Ben Morris shushed his former fans on his first return since leaving to join Ponte earlier this year.
With The Colls on top, Frickley were given a chance to get back into the game. Jack Shepherd tussled with the home forward, in the aftermath it appear Shepherd left his mark on the forward leaving him rolling around on the ground. The referee was on the spot to brandish a red card for what appeared to be judged as a stamp.
But this didn’t deter the visitors who continued to press forward and Scott Smith latched onto a pass in midfield and with his first touch he rounded his full back, he was able to break into the penalty area before being bundled over. PENALTY! Rob Guilfoyle stepped up and fired in to make it 0-2.
It stayed this way right up to the break, Frickley had one or two opening but were denied by Lloyd Allinson who stood firm.
The second half was more of the same, this time with Ponte attacking down the hill. A couple of changes saw Joe Lumsden come onto the field and he made an almost instant impact. Spencer Clarke found him just over the half way line, he turned inside and attacked the penalty area. The Frickley defence backed off and off until Lumsden decided to let loose, his shot flew passed the keeper and in for 0-3.
The hosts made a couple of changes themselves and had their best spell of the game. They were awarded a penalty of their own, as Callum Brook upended his opposite full back when trying to make a block. Lloyd Allinson was on hand however to deny Frickley from the spot, he dived low to his left and with a strong hand held on to make the save.
Twelve minutes were remaining when a corner from the left was headed back across goal, former Ponte man Nathan Perks was there to flick into the corner. But this was all Frickley had in them.
Ponte held out to claim all three points and leave Frickley in the bottom two, with one game remaining.
Frickley Athletic Team;
Pontefract Collieries Team;
Attendance: 276