Colls beat Hyde United for a first time ever to make it seven games undefeated. The game was niggly from the outset and visiting striker Chris Sharp was in the bath as early as the sixth minute. He was shown the dreaded red following a handbags altercation with Gareth Peet on the edge of the Colls box. This unexpected fillip allowed the black n white stripes to take control of the game and ex Tigers frontman Danny O'Brien had couple of good chances. His initial effort went out of the ground while the second was well saved by Sam French. O'Brien's endeavour eventually paid off on the half hour mark when good approach play left him in acres of space and his shot from about twelve yards out beat French all ends up.
The lead was doubled within five minutes of the restart. Vinny Bailey pinged in a quality corner which skipper Danny Lafferty headed home like a rocket. There was no clean sheet for the hosts as ten minutes later Brad Roscoe nodded in a very teasing set-piece at the far post.
The teams continued to trade blows but clear cut opportunities were few and far between. Hyde were a big set and set-pieces were their only way they looked like getting back on parity. Fortunately the Collieries defenders were in no mood to surrender maximum points and dealt admirably with the formidable aerial challenge. Tom Bentham almost increased the lead but scuffed effort from yards out was just kept from crossing the line by a relieved French. Eventually the home team were content to professionally play out injury time within yards of Hyde's left corner flag.
A fantastic no nonsense triumph for Colls and their brand new managerial team of the honeymooning Brad Cooke, Chris Lynch and Rob Sadler. For now Northern Premier League thoughts exit stage left as attention moves to the visit of the current numero uno ranked outfit in non league football. National League leaders Barrow AFC are in town next Saturday for a FA Trophy First Round clash. KO 3pm. Atherton Collieries: Greg Hartley, Clive Smith, Gareth Peet, John Welsh, Danny Lafferty (c), Niall Battersby, Ben Conway (Iwan Noble 80'), Danny Lambert (Dave Sherlock 84’), Tom Bentham, Vinny Bailey, Danny O’Brien. Substitutes (not used): Cain Noble, Steve Kipre Rama Spice Man of the Match: John Welsh Attendance: 357
Report: Colls 1-2 Bacup
December 6, 2023
A delightful Dylan Moonan goal ultimately proved to be in vain as Atherton Collieries were beaten 2-1 by Bacup Borough in the Lancashire FA Trophy.
