By RAY TUCKER
Pontefract Collieries 3
Spalding United 0
Spalding United put on a battling display at Pontefract Collieries on Saturday – but were well beaten by an impressive home side full of true Yorkshire grit.
The home team, strong in every department, dominated virtually throughout and but for some wayward shooting, could have won by a more convincing scoreline than the 3-0 they managed.
Goals from Michael Dunn (10), Eli Hey (pen 49) and Nicholas Guest (73) sank the Tulips, who fell to 17th in the table as a result.
Spalding opened confidently on a ‘heavy’ and soft pitch, but were chasing the game after just ten minutes.
The impressive Dunn, who was to prove menacing throughout with dashing wing runs, sped through to intercept a long through ball and quickly made tracks for goal and beat keeper Michael Duggan with a super shot from just outside the area.
The Tulips responded shortly afterwards, with Liam Marshall pinging the ball over the area, but just out of reach for Leon Mettam.
But all of the attacking options were coming from Pontefract, with the Tulips battling for all of their might to get and keep the ball out of their area.
They were thankful for some wayward shooting from the home side and managed to see out the remainder of the first half trailing by the single goal.
Five minutes into the second half however, they conceded a second goal – albeit from the penalty spot – after Neal Spafford got into a tangle and was penalised by referee Michael Coles.
The home side’s top target man Hey gave Duggan no chance from the spot.
Shortly afterwards the home team were denied another crack at goal by a brave save by Duggan at the feet of Gavin Rothery on the edge of the 18-yard area.
Within minutes a forceful header by the same player crashed against the crossbar.
However, the Tulips’ misery was complete when home substitute Guest fired in the goal of the game from 20 yard out.
Tulips: Duggan, C Marshall (Brown 84), Hugo, L Marshall, Fixter, Spafford, Floyd, Everington (Humble 78), Mettam (White 70), Davison, Acar. Not used: Smith.
MOTM: Floyd.
Attendance: 171
