Recap

It’s not often everything goes to plan but manager Danny Grainger was delighted with the way things worked out in this FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round tie.

He was able to give valuable game time to members of the squad who have been side lined recently, the team still performed well enough to secure their passage into Monday’s draw and there were no further injuries ahead of two crucial league fixtures this week.

A contented Grainger said, “I’m very happy with the performance levels and everything I have asked of them they have given me.  They have come into a tough game, been dominant and won very comfortably.”

With Conor Tinnion and Brad Carroll part of a very strong bench, Scott Allison skippered the team and the game’s first chance fell to him after Jordan Holt’s clever play provided the assist.  But Allison was thwarted by Mike Emery’s save.

The reprieve was short lived and from the subsequent corner, Reds took a fourth minute lead and, to be honest, there was never any doubt about the outcome from that moment.

Sam Smith’s initial half volley was blocked but Charlie Bowman reacted first to drive a low, follow-up shot into the net.

Collieries did respond but Albert Ibrahimi’s shot was comfortably saved by Jim Atkinson. 

The lead was doubled after twenty-three minutes after a superb run down the left from Reuben Jerome.  He skipped past the fullback, made his way to the goal line before pulling the ball back into Brad Hubbold’s path and he scooped the ball into the net at the near post.

And the same route secured Reds third goal on the stroke of half time.  This time it was Liam Brockbank who got away down the left with one of his trademark, surging runs.  He crossed into the danger area and Bowman was there to convert for his second of the afternoon.

It was 4-0 before the hour mark with Reds increasing their lead via a corner.  Returning skipper, Tinnion, delivered the cross which Dan Wordsworth converted with a powerful header for his first goal of the season.

For a while, it was a case of Colls’ ‘keeper, Emery, keeping Reds at bay almost on his own.  He kept out efforts from Dav Symington, Jerome and Brockbank with his best save denying Tinnion.

At the other end, Atkinson got down well to keep out a well struck effort from Damian Reeves.

But Reeves would not be denied his customary goal against Workington when Ponte grabbed a consolation deep into stoppage time.  He met Ben Gordon’s corner, Pontefract’s twelfth of the afternoon, to head home, adding to the goals he has scored against Reds for several of his former clubs.

Pontefract Collieries: Emery, Nebard (Bailey,65), Gordon, Basi, Clare, Claxton, Smith (Tingle, 86), Keane, Modeste, Reeves, Ibrahimi (Rothery, 69).  Substitutes – Cable, McKenna (not used).

Workington: Atkinson, Clarke, Brockbank, Wordsworth, Smith, Casson, Holt, Hubbold (Tinnion, 53), Jerome, Allison (Symington, 57), Bowman (Robertson, 76).  Substitutes – Kelly J, Little, Carroll, Potts (not used).

Referee: Ian Johnstone, Leeds

Bookings: Claxton, Smith (Pontefract Collieries), Brockbank, Wordsworth (Workington).

Attendance: 191

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