Pontefract Collieries show their mettle in winning comeback against Belper Town
Pontefract Collieries manager Craig Rouse believes his players showed their mettle as they made it three wins in eight days in the NPL East.
Colls followed their wins over Cleethorpes Town and Ossett United with a 3-1 away success at Belper Town as Adam Haw, with a penalty, Frankie Sinfield and Elliot Owen netted.
But they had to come from behind after Kevin Bastos opened the scoring for the home side early in the second half.
"To have the setback we had two minutes into the second half you get asked questions,” said Colls boss Rouse.
"We’ve had to come through that and show our mettle and show what we’re all about.
"We’ve got to be delighted with the result. The performances have been there throughout the season – maybe not so the results at the beginning, but we are starting to show the plan of how we want to play and we are taking that to teams.
"We are starting to see now that players are returning and the group’s getting stronger. Ultimately that only makes competition for places stronger and whilever you’ve got the shirt and play well you stay in the side.”
Ponte are away again this Saturday when they go to Stockton Town for an FA Trophy first qualifying round tie.
“They are a really good side and it’s no coincidence that they have been play-off finalists two years on the spin,” added Rouse.
"They’re a side expected to be up there, especially on their surface. You have to be compact and solid and take your chances when they arrive.
"We couldn’t be going up there in better form so we’ll look for a positive result.”