The Collieries Player Development Pathway teams kicked off the 2025-26 season with a draw in the Under 21s Development League and a win in the Under 18s Youth Alliance.
Next up, the Under 18s make the short trip to Crilly Park for an FA Youth Cup Flatcap Derby on Thursday 4th, whilst the Development Squad face Stretford Paddock away on Sunday 7th.
Photo: Riley Filipek making his First Team debut in the FA Cup on Saturday 30th August.
Report: Atherton Collieries DS 2-2 Bury U21s
The newly formed Colls Development Team began life in the NWDL with a tough test against a well established Bury outfit at Kearsley academy.
Alongside the returning Harry Brown, captain James Wharton and Riley Filipek, who made his first team debut during Saturday’s FA Cup derby, eight players made starting Collieries debuts, with a further four alongside Luis Monteiro on the bench.
McKenzie Brennan, who featured for the first team at Prestwich in pre-season, joined James Wharton in the heart of defence, with Brad Bushiri and Ben Patten alongside as full-backs. Patrick Sankara and Rafael Mateus played behind Riley Filipek in midfield, with Abdul-Baasit Ayede and Aaron Taylor on the flanks looking to supply Harry Brown leading the line.
Bury raced out of the blocks and opened the scoring within four minutes, Gerald McCullion flicking home a header at the near post following a dangerous long throw. After half an hour, the game changed however with a red card for the Shakers’ stopper following an off-the-ball incident.
Patrick Sankara impressed with his ability to regain possession for the Stripes throughout, and led the drive forwards for the Collieries equaliser. After beating his man and a one-two with Rafael Mateus, the midfielder teed up Harry Brown to test makeshift goalkeeper Adam Cooke, who made a solid low save only for Abdul-Baasit Ayede to tap home the rebound.
The Stripes took the lead through a second goal for Ayede just after the hour mark. Substitute Brogan Wright played the ball through to Luis Monteiro on the right flank, who’s low cross was greeted at the far post with clinicality.
However, the Black & Whites were unable to truly hammer home the man advantage, and Bury equalised through Daniel Ibarra with fifteen minutes remaining. The imposing central-defender looped home a header following a free-kick for the Shakers.
Next up, the Collieries Dev Squad travel to Stretford Paddock at Manchester College Openshaw on Sunday 7th September, 4:30pm.
Man of the Match: James Wharton & Abdul-Baasit Ayede (joint award)
Report: St. Helens U18s 0-2 Atherton Colls U18s
Atherton Collieries U18’s made the trip over to St Helens, after a largely positive pre-season – Guided by the Management Team of Tim Rothwell, Liam Knox and Harlan Dane Fallon, the message – return home with 3 points, won by showing character and grit, as much as displaying obvious their skill and ability in possession.
With notable absentees, the lads arrived confident that they could impose themselves on their opponents.
The game began frantically as both sets of young men tried to get a foothold in the game and gain control. St Helens Town kept possession well, and regained the ball on multiple occasions, but at 0-0 the Colls players knew hard work was key.
Half chances were apparent for both sides, with a lot of aerial duels competed for, with Joe Draper claiming well in the gloves for Colls.
Callum Knox and Emmanuel Kolanole worked tirelessly in the heart of the Colls defence to protect their goalkeeper, whilst Nathan Critchley covered lots of ground in midfield to regain possession and unsettle the Saints.
After a tactical tweak in midfield towards the 35 minute mark, Colls began to gain control, overloading the opposition in central areas, and by working the ball down the left on many occasions, through great work by winger Harry Barrow.
Minutes later Colls struck again down that flank, and hit St Helens on a quick and slick transition through the two thirds, Barrow played midfielder Ethan Rowe in behind, and with composure he checked back from the byline and played a crisp pass into Striker Ike Iwelu, who used his inate strength and ability to roll his opponent, compose himself and convert with a tidy finish.
In the second half after reinforcement from the management team and some fresh instruction, the Lads began quickly, battling fatigue and heat, in the name of Atherton and pure will.
Changes were made to affect the game, and to keep the players fresh, and maintain energy levels, with the versatility recruited this summer, showing its metal.
St Helens made changes and began to throw their own curveballs, with additions in midfield, and began to hunt an equaliser, coming close – but Joe Draper in the Colls goal stood strong, as did the back line of Rio Sutherland, Emmanuel Kolanole, Callum Knox and Harry Rothwell – the management team of Colls instructed again, and tactically adapted to the circumstances.
After great work on the break, Malik Mohammed broke into the box on the right, and fired a ball across goal, with Moiz Ahmad unable to tap it home on his debut at the back post, so very close to making it 2.
Set pieces have been a huge focus in training and pre-season, with Callum Knox displaying aerial strength and an ability to score from them. After one corner, Colls had another.
And that he did soon after with around 85 minutes on the clock, Nathan Critchley outswung an inviting corner in front the left, Callum Knox arrived at the back post and nodded home for number 2, goals a habit nowadays for the young CB.
The lads dug deep, worked hard and battled tirelessly, with 7 minutes added on.
The referee blew for full time and the lads and management team couldn’t hide their elation, a superb way to start the season for our young side, with room to improve, but with ability, skill and infectious desire within.
Man of the Match – Nathan Critchley (Vice Captain)
He worked hard, protected, won his duels and provided a superb corner for the second goal. He overall showed superb leadership as Vice Captain.
Reports: Harlan Dane Fallon (U18s) & Rob Clarke (DS)
