Competitive football returns to the Skuna Stadium tomorrow evening as the Collieries welcome Nantwich Town in their first home game of the season. Both teams will certainly be encouraged by last Saturday's Northern Premier League Premier Division bows. Our new favourite American, Luca De Freitas-Hansen, nodded us to victory in a tight affair at Hyde United. The Dabbers prevailed by the odd goal in five over visitors Stalybridge Celtic. Midfielder Sean Cooke notched his 100th goal for the club with new signing Shaun Miller also on the scoresheet. Supporters of the Wanderers persuasion will remember Shaun’s vital contribution to last season’s promotion successful promotion run in. Of course, both management teams will not get carried away with their opening day shenanigans, but it’s always nice to get three points on the board at the earliest possible opportunity.
The clubs have met in league action 29 times previously. Nantwich are far and away are the most familiar Premier Division oppo. The first match up was on 15/11/86 when the teams played out a 1-1 draw in the NWCFL Division 3. Froggatt got the Collieries goal. The last meeting came on 31/8/19, a landmark for our club. A Vinny Bailey brace and a late Oli Roberts effort gave us a home 3-1 victory, a first ever NPL Premier Division maximum point return. The teams have drawn 4-4 on a couple of occasions. There is never a shortage of goal action when the Colls and the Dabbers collide.
Looking ahead to this fixture, Manager Brad Cooke said, “Our first ten fixtures are really tough, there are no easy game in this league. We will go into every game and show them the respect that they deserve. Nantwich had a good result on Saturday and I expect them to be up there as well. It will be a great test for us – we are looking forward to it.”
Date:
Tuesday 17 August 2021
Time:
19:45
Address:
The Skuna Stadium,
Alder Street,
Atherton,
M46 9EY
Admission:
Adults - £10
Concessions - £6
Under 18’s - £4
Under 11’s - Free
Please note, new 1916 Club Membership Cards will be available to collect on the gate.
Article - Emil Anderson and Zach Pierce
Match Preview: Morpeth (A)
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Atherton Collieries head to Morpeth on Saturday 2nd December, aiming to break a duck which has led to the Colls so far never recording a
