Atherton Collieries jumped their third FA Cup hurdle with a thrilling late win against Northwich Victoria.
The pre-match expectation was that there would be no tougher test for the Collieries than the in-form and unbeaten Northwich, who are gunning for the Midlands League title this campaign and pulled off a stunning win against Bootle, league leaders in the Collieries’ NPL West Division, in the previous round.
The anticipated challenge increased tenfold minutes into the game for Atherton, as in-form goalkeeper Harvey Bardsley had to be replaced between the sticks. The stopper was left bloodied following a coming together with a forward, and couldn’t continue despite his protestations.
The experienced Sam Sheridan, a veteran midfielder by trade, was called upon to tend the goal for the remaining 80 minutes.
Now featuring no recognized goalkeeper or centre-halves in the team, Lafferty’s men had no choice but to prioritize an entertaining attacking and possession-based approach to limit the Victoria opportunities to a premium.
Chinedu Uche, Louis Potts and Liam Sheppard all had clear chances for the Collieries, whilst Sam Sheridan received a warm reception from all for a no-nonsense save at the other end.
However, Victoria eventually did capitalise on the novelty of the situation, crowding out the Colls six-yard box to convert a corner on the brink of half-time.
Lafferty’s Stripes performed as the entertainers once again in the second half, and equalised on the hour mark through an Uche penalty, Potts had been hauled down in the box following a succession of Colls opportunities.
The unconventional Colls defense was still liable to punishment though, and a miscommunication between Sheridan and Jack Sloan led to an intercepted back-pass, received by Joe Duckworth and easily converted to regain the lead, before an identical situation almost gifted Vics a third.
However, the Colls remained composed and on the front foot, and got their rewards on the brink of full-time.
The creative young Harry Forshaw, a second half substitute, received a flick-on from Kielen Adams and converted on the turn, equalising at the death.
It was Adams himself who delivered the killer blow in injury time. The in-form Colls talisman was headed through by Liam Sheppard, and raced the ball past goalkeeper Andre Mendes, retaining the coolest head in the ground as he slotted into the empty net and sent the vocal travelling support into delirium.
After the full-time whistle, Sam Sheridan was of course at the forefront of the Stripes faithfuls’ plaudits with cries of “England’s Number One”.
The Black & Whites eagerly await Monday’s Second Qualifying Round draw. With three ties won, the Colls have matched their previous best for most wins in an FA Cup campaign, whilst a win in the next round would also tie their furthest progression into the competition.
