Pontefract Collieries inflicted a third successive NPL defeat on a deflated Clee side. It finished 4-1 at the Myenergi Stadium – Dec Howe was on the mark for the home side.

Dave Smith, who would clearly be looking for a positive response after the reverse at Stocksbridge, made 3 changes.

Leon Dawson, Jack McMenemy & Curtis Bateson started on the bench, with new-signing Derry Robson, Brody Robertson & Jon Oglesby coming into the starting XI.

The side lined-up, as follows:

Goal: Tom Jackson
Defence: Tim Lowe, James Williamson, Jordon Cooke, Sam Topliss
Midfield: Josh Venney, Alex Flett (c), Derry Robson
Attack: Brody Robertson, Dec Howe, Jack McMenemy

Subs: Leon Dawson, Curtis Bateson, Will Annan, Jack McMenemy, Tyler Edwards

After some indifferent displays, which had seen the blue & black register only 3 goals in their last 6 outings in all competitions, the pressure was certainly on to bounce back to winning ways.

However, despite the sun-kissed conditions & an excellent surface, the faithful were stunned by an abject first-half performance.

The Colls deservedly led by 3-goals by the time the players returned to the dressing rooms.

Firstly, Adam Priestley headed home a cross from Baxendale. Then, Jack Shepherd was on hand to finish a long throw from the left flank. To compound the misery, Gavin Allott fired into the roof of the net in the 38th minute.

Time and again, the Owls opted for the long ball, which was meat & drink for the resolute Ponte rear-guard, who easily dealt with these tactics.

HT Cleethorpes Town 0 Pontefract Collieries 3 (Priestley 15, Shepherd 24, Allott 38)

Matters deteriorated further shortly after the resumption. Hesitation in the defence allowed Priestley to snaffle his brace, gleefully nodding into the net to the delight of the away following.

With the points now well out of reach and the loyal support in the Main Stand increasingly restless, the Owls belatedly sprang to life, claiming the pick of the goals in the 65th minute.

Dec Howe, who had cut an isolated figure for much of the encounter, did marvellously well to latch onto a through-ball and majestically lift a 35-yard lob over the keeper.

That was very much the highlight on a day to forget, as Clee exited the play-off zone.

FT Cleethorpes Town 1 (Howe 65) Pontefract Collieries 4 (Priestley 15, 49, Shepherd 24, Allott 38) Attendance: 383

Not much to add to be honest.

Everyone who was there witnessed how poor we were this afternoon, particularly in the first 45. For whatever reason, we totally failed to keep the ball on the floor, which was ideal for a big side like Ponte, who played well.

Onwards we go to Grantham Town on Tuesday – hope to see you there… cheering the lads on to 3 points!

UP THE OWLS!