Hallam lose 287 day unbeaten streak in Pontefract Collieries defeat

The Colls beat ten-men Hallam 3-1 at Ingfield, the home of Ossett United, to give Craig Denton’s men their first league loss since the 4-2 loss against Handsworth last November.

Hallam began the game in good fashion, with Brodie Litchfield forcing a near post six minutes in, and Benni Ndlovu smashing the crossbar from distance.

But after 26 minutes, the Countrymen were down to ten men when Janni Lipka got sent off for a high foot on Bailey Thompson, which eventually forced the striker off.

But despite being down a man, Hallam took the lead just after the break. Colls goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson made a great save to keep out Ndlovu, but Litchfield was there to smash home the rebound!

After some good saves from Hugo Warhurst to preserve the lead, Pontefract eventually equalised in the 67th minute, when Warhurst couldn’t hold on to a cross, and Joe Lumsden pounced.

And less than five minutes later, the home side were in the lead when Jamie Sharman brought his man down in the box, and Jack Boyle slotted home the resulting penalty.

Hallam were certain they should have been given a penalty when Danny South was taken out from behind, but play continued, and the Colls added a third, with Lumsden getting a brace; slowly rolling past Warhurst and into the corner with five minutes to go.

This game drops the Countrymen down to 14th, but return to Sandygate on Saturday after three-straight away games, facing Blyth Spartans.

Image Credits – Ian Jones