MATCH PREVIEW | PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES (H) NPL EAST

We are back in action again this Wednesday, 8th October, for our 2nd game at home in 5 days and the lads will be eager to lace up their boots again following the victory over Blyth Spartans at the weekend.

The weekends victory sees us sitting in 4th place at the time of writing but this could chance ahead of this fixture with North Ferriby in action 24hrs before us, albeit a tough challenge away at Bradford Park Avenue, the currnet pacesetters in the league. Regardless of where we are place by the time kick off comes around on Wednesday evening, Boro will fancy their chances of taking another 3 points at home as our visitors have had a very inconsistent start to the season and are yet to win on their travels shipping 14 goals in their last three away games, albeit 12 of those coming against free scoring Redcar and Matlock Town.

Dan Barrett and his fellow backroom staff will be only too aware of The Colls apparent weakness at the back and will be keen to try and expose that early on in Wednesdays 7.45pm kick off. Boro, as Baz alluded to in his post match interview at the weekend, will look to utilise their strength in depth following the close proximity of the two fixtures. At the back, after coming off the bench following injury, Tom Sawyer will be hoping for a recall, as will Alfie Taylor. In the more advanced areas Reece York is available again for selection following his suspension. Fans favourite Edwin Essel will be hoping the gaffer gives him more game time following his long lay off through injury. Tom Rennardson who has impressed from the bench will also be hoping to get more time to show what he is capable of. All great problems for Boro to have.

Boro will once again put their unbeaten record on the line and look to make it four wins out of four in a run that has seen them take 14 points from the last 18 available. Our visitors by contrast have only taken 4 points over the same period.

This fixture has been an ever present one on the calendar since our promotion to this level and the fixtures have usually been high scoring ones, so it could be an entertaining game at Bradley Football Development Centre. Over the course of the last three seasons, Ponte have just about come out on top, winning 4 of the 6 games and two of them by an aggregate of 10 goals to nil! The first of those games was our first at this level and it was a baptism of fire as we lost 4-0 to a, then, very physical side and without our first choice keeper. The next season, as we made the trip to West Yorkshire, was no better as we conceded 6 without reply in one of, if not our worst performances under Dan Barrett. Since then results have improved against this weeks opponents as last season we won 3-1 on the road and lost two one at home in a very tight game. The Wilderness Boys will be hoping that improvements continues and we see a dominant performance that underlines our ever improving home form.

With us being in the middle of yet another boring international break and with the weather set fair, we hope to see a bumper crowd for this keenly contested fixture.

Form Guide (last 6)

Grimsby Borough - WDWWWW

Ponefract Collieries - LWLDLL