Atherton Collieries Under 18s picked up a point whilst the Development Squad were defeated on the road in a week of mixed results for the Black & White development teams.
Next up, the Development Squad are in action at the Dreams2Reality Stadium against Bury on Sunday 28th September, 2pm, in the North West Development League Cup, whilst the Under 18s face Abbey Hey at Kearsley Academy.
On Tuesday night, the Colls exited the FA Youth Cup as a team featuring both Under 18s and Development Squad players faced Trafford across a high spirited evening at the Dreams2Reality Stadium.
Development Squad defender McKenzie Brennan reinforced the Under 18s back four of Declan Metcalfe, Claudio Palmer and Harry Rothwell, whilst Riley Filipek and Patrick Sankara joined skipper Nathan Critchley in midfield. Cole Howlett led the attack, alongside Schadrack Assani and Abdul-Baasit Ayede.
The first half was a tempestuous affair, with both teams going into the interval with ten men, with the most notable of chances falling to Abdul-Baasit Ayede. There was further controversy as Riley Filipek was scythed down whilst running through on goal, with no foul called by the officials.
The second stanza was thankfully more relaxed, with both teams unable to break the deadlock throughout a game of few chances. The game ultimately came down to spot kicks, with the Colls exiting the FA Youth Cup from the spot at the Dreams2Reality Stadium for the second year running, a scoreline of 4 to 2.
On Sunday, the development squad returned to league action against Chadderton at Andrew Street, and were punished 5-0 by a clinical performance from the on-form Reds.
Meanwhile, the Under 18s travelled to Stalybridge, and came away unfortunate not to take a full share of the spoils from a 3-3 thriller.
The opening goal came through great work on the left flank between Harry Barrow and Ike Iwelu, with the former played through to calmly prod home.
Skipper Nathan Critchley notched the Stripes second with a trademark free-kick, a hard effort fired past the goalkeeper’s right.
Stalybridge regained momentum and soon notched their first goal. Hayden Davis then initially prevented an equaliser with a fine save from the penalty spot, only for the Celts to level proceedings moments later.
However, the Colls lead was restored through Ike Iwelu once again, who won a penalty following a cynical foul from the hosts’ goalkeeper, converted by Nathan Critchley.
But the lead couldn’t be maintained, as Stalybridge were the recipients of a dramatic third spot kick of the game in the final minute following a tangle of legs between multiple players from both sides. The Blues duly converted, and claimed a dramatic late point.
Words: Harlan Dane Fallon & Rob Clarke
