HALL Road Rangers will head down the M62 tomorrow as the two NCEL First Division unbeaten records of 2017 go head to head.
Following last weekend's stalemate with Dronfield Town, 'Colls' 100% record for the new calendar year was ended
They have found form at the perfect time though as they sit at the summit of the league table and like Hall Road still remain unbeaten in 2017.
The earlier season game was a fiery affair, as well as been extremely close.
Rangers had to play the last thirty minutes with ten men, following Brad Ricketts' sending off.
Hall Road like many times this season though dug in, and before Ricketts' dismissal, Josh Batty's brace had twice given them the lead, and later a scorching Ash Dexter volley, as well as a late Scott Phillips strike was enough to give Hall Road a hard earned three points.
The hosts have dubbed this as their hardest remaining game of the season on paper, and believe a win will give them one hand on the trophy.
Hall Road however still have title aspirations of their own though, and with two games in hand sit just six points behind the leaders, and they believe a win at the Harratt Nissan Stadium will prove to be the springboard they need to mount their challenge.
So with the stakes at an all time high, Josh Batty will be available for this trip before he serves a three match suspension, but Conner Harman is banned for the final match of his two game ban.
Winger Danny Norton is a huge doubt for the trip and is not expected to be involved, after limping off with an ankle injury last weekend.
Gareth Owen is pushing for another start following an excellent display in the win over Grimsby Borough and could be favourite to replace Norton
Jack Binns is also another potential option for Ricardo after some decent displays from the substitute bench.
Rangers boss Dave Ricardo does also have Ash Allanson available once more as the midfielder works his way back to full fitness after an injury lay-off.
Pontefract will look towards the goals of Chris Jackson (24) and Michael Dunn (25) as well as Chris Wood (22) who between them have contributed to two thirds of all of Ponte's goals in the league this term.

View from the dugout – By Dave Ricardo
“I have this recurring nightmare that we end up on 90+ points and miss out on automatic promotion!
We've now only lost two out of the last twenty matches.
I want the lads to have the same sense of excitement that they had leading up to the Glasshoughton game on the first weekend of the season.
That feeling of anticipation, what can be achieved, where it can take us.
If we are fortunate enough to win on Saturday, that will give us one hand on the trophy and although they're six more games against opposition that we want to beat, Pontefract will be the most physical opponent of the season.
They are experienced, but not unbeatable.”

View from the pitch – by Ash Dexter
“All of the boys are in a buoyant mood after a few very successful weeks.
Saturday is another huge game, but every game is, when you are in the promotion race.
Pontefract are a good side but we know we can get the job done if we all perform to the level we have throughout the majority of the season.”