Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Frankie Sinfield netted a hat-trick as Pontefract sent Ashington tumbling to a 5-0 defeat at The Hunters Stadium on a mild autumn day on Saturday.

In their last outing – a 3-0 defeat at home against Newton Aycliffe – the Colliers began the game badly when they missed a penalty and the display got progressively worse.

In West Yorkshire, they conceded a spot kick early doors and found themselves 3-0 down at half time – and had it not been for an inspired performance from ‘keeper Tyler Jones, the visitors could have shipped even more goals.

However, the Wansbeck side came out of the dressing rooms and dominated the second half. They failed to take chances which came their way and to rub salt into already sore wounds, Pontefract caught them twice on the break to go nap.

Ahead of Armistice Day, before kick-off, players, officials and supporters observed a minute’s silence during which the Last Post was played.

When play got underway, it was ‘The Colls’ who came flying out of the traps and the game was only five minutes old when they edged in front.

Joe Lumsden was upended in the box by Rory Powell and Sinfield stepped up to give Jones no chance from the spot hammering his penalty inside the bottom corner.

Pontefract also had an added threat in their side with Jack Greenhough’s long throw ins and in the 19th minute, the home skipper launched the ball into the box from the left which ricochet off a defender with Jones forced to tip over.

Ashington were forced into a change midway through the period when Andrew Anderson had to retire with an injury and new signing Louis Burns – on loan from South Shields – was thrust into the fray.

Three minutes later Pontefract – who were looking sharp with wingers Jack Wilson and Sinfield causing problems – doubled their lead when Niah Payne drifted across the area from left to right before firing the ball into the far corner.

Sixty seconds later, the goalscorer was through again but placed his effort wide then after a neat interchange, Lumsden scuffed his shot which was gratefully taken by Jones.

Pontefract – who included former Collier Si Jakab in their side – kept the pressure on and in the 39th minute after Jones had made a great save to thwart Lumsden, they added a third.

The move began down the right and when the ball was crossed into the area, Sinfield smashed it firmly into the net.

Ashington had their first chance in the closing minutes of the half when Ryan Wombwell met a free-kick from Craig Spooner but his header was clutched by home ‘keeper Harry Christy.

For the start of the second half, Jake Orrell replaced Sam Davison and although in one raid Sinfield danced through the defence but saw his shot held by Jones, it was the Colliers who were the more prominent side.

Ryan Donaldson – by far Ashington’s best performer on the day – played the ball through to Spooner but his left footed effort was collected by Christy.

Minutes later Liam Noble swung over a corner from the right where Liam Henderson’s flashing header drifted wide then a shot by Wombwell was parried away by Christy.

In the 78th minute Sinfield completed his hat-trick following a well worked team goal on the counter attack.

Pontefract moved the ball down the right and when it was crossed low into the area, the incoming Sinfield slotted home.

Wombwell had a header clutched by Christy then Spooner centred but Josh Gilchrist fired wide at the near post.

Then in the 90th minute, Jones pushed a shot from Payne into the air and substitute Danny Edwards was the first to react to add Pontefract’s fifth.

It was cruel on Ashington – who now head into a programme of five home matches in their next seven.

On Saturday (November 15), Garforth Town are the visitors to Woodhorn Lane. (3pm kick-off).