Though Pontefract Collieries play their football adjacent to the West Yorkshire Racecourse, Bottesford Town were certainly not at the races when they visited the league leaders on Saturday, eventually losing by 3 goals to nil.

The fact that the visitors had not played since their last game on the 14th January, allied with a strong gale force wind that suddenly emerged minutes before the kick-off, only added to a dismal and disappointing performance.

The home side immediately took advantage of the conditions and kept the visitors penned in their own half. For 30 minutes it was only desperate defending and poor finishing from the Pontefract attack that kept James McDaid and Grieg McGrory off the score-sheet.

The breakthrough did come about in the 30th minute when Steven Lyon was allowed the space to turn in the penalty area and found the corner of the net for the opening goal.

Any chance of the visitors getting back into the game almost disappeared in the following minute when they were reduced to 10 men following a reckless tackle from Greg Andrews which gave the referee little choice other than to issue a straight red.

Pontefract took advantage of the visitors re-shaped line up to beat the off-side trap in the 33rd minute and, once again, it was Lyons who ran on to score a fine goal.

Apart from the occasional counter-attack, the home team managed to maintain their advantage up to the half-time whistle.

The visitors were then dealt a cruel blow early in the second half when, following a mis-kick from a Pontefract player, the ball found its way to Lyons who sealed his hat-trick with a goal from close range.

Though disheartened, the visitors then enjoyed a brief period of dominance with John Joe McCaffery going close in the 55th minute followed by young Alex Hipkins sending an effort over the bar.

A fourth goal for the home team looked to be on the cards minutes later but this time Lyons missed from close range with the keeper beaten.

The introduction of substitute Dominic Stones brought some bite into the game and, soon after, Bottesford’s midfield player Paul Morrill saw his headed attempt narrowly go over the woodwork.

Despite enjoying a greater share of the play, the visitors could have no complaints at the final whistle with the home team having demonstrated why they are still sitting at the top of the league table.