Pontefract joint boss Nicky Handley said the 4-0 win over Cleethorpes keeps them in the race for promotion. Photo: White Rose Photography
Pontefract Collieries’ Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion hopes remain alive after a deserved 4-0 win over second placed Cleethorpes Town and joint manager Nicky Handley described it as a “massive result”.
Pontefract were in terrific form and first half goals from Kyle Hawthorne and Kingsley Wetherald put them into a fantastic position at half-time.
Both sides had players sent off either side of the break, but the dismissals affected Cleethorpes more and Wetherald and Chris Kamara sealed an emphatic victory.
Ponte now look forward to another must-win game with Shaw Lane Aquaforce at Skinner Lane and Handley said. “It is a big win, but it is still a big ask for us (to win promotion), we know that because we’re not silly.
“The two losses to Rossington and Bottesford were big blows because we were pushing at that point.
“But we knew the three games on the bounce – Eccleshill, tonight and Shaw Lane on Saturday – that we’re looking at seven points out of them and we’re still looking at that.
“Tonight is a real good win to keep us in there. Tonight was really good from the start.
“We looked hungry and sharp and were pressing them in the right areas and it paid off.
“It is a massive result. We needed it so we didn’t hold back and we said to the lads to get out there and get at them. We didn’t want to be relying on the defence and nicking a 1-0 win.”
As Handley and his joint manager Duncan Bray instructed, Pontefract put Cleethorpes under pressure early on and the home side scored with their first real chance.
Kyle Hawthorne broke down the left flank and sped into the penalty area before firing a low shot between the legs of goalkeeper Miles Fenty.
Ponte then had goalkeeper Tom Woodhouse for ensuring they stayed in front. From Cleethorpes corner, Woodhouse denied Chris Gordon with a fine close range save and then made another stop in quick succession from Alex Flett’s rebound attempt.
Collieries had to wait until late in the first half to extend their lead. Andy Catton’s pass found the in-form striker Wetherald and the forward found the net with a good finish.
There was still time for more drama even before the referee blew for half-time as Cleethorpes’ Tim Lowe was given a straight red card for an elbow.
Josh Corbett was harshly sent off during the second half of Pontefract’s 4-0 win over Cleethorpes
Then just in the same way that the first half ended, the second 45 minutes began with a red card – this time in bizarre circumstances.
Former Glasshoughton Welfare player Josh Corbett was given a second yellow card for a minor foul close to the Pontefract box and suddenly the home’s side position was under threat. Quite how the push warranted a second yellow card beggar’s belief – fortunately the sending-off did not have an impact on Ponte’s lead.
Pontefract reverted to three men in defence and within minutes, Cleethorpes shot themselves in the foot. A poor back-pass put Wetherald clear and he rounded the goalkeeper for goal number three.
Marc Cooper almost pulled a goal back for Cleethorpes when hit the post, but Ponte always looked likely to get a fourth and the experienced Kamara got it.
Wetherald’s killer pass sent Kamara into a scoring position and the former Farsley AFC defender showed great coolness to score with a low finish and round off a magnificent night.
It was Ponte doing themselves and Shaw Lane a favour tonight, but Cleethorpes will be hoping that Handley and Bray’s men can help them out on Saturday when Aquaforce travel to Pontefract.
Pontefract Collieries: Woodhouse, Twibey (captain), Corbett, Danby, Staley, C Robinson (Kamara 70), Catton, Lister, Wetherald, Grant (Agus 78), Hawthorne (A Robinson 76). Subs unused: Radford, Handley.
Cleethorpes Town: Fenty, Lowe, Heward, Peck (Richardson 56), Gordon, Hanslip (captain), Mascall, Flett, Cooper, Oswin, Grant (Emson 62). Subs unused: Funnelll, Gaughan.
Referee: W Cooper (South Yorkshire)
Ref Rating: 5/10
Attendance: 76
Man of the match: Kingsley Wetherald (Pontefract Collieries)