Atherton Collieries welcome Hanley Town to the Dreams2Reality Stadium on Saturday for a game that could prove pivotal in the Colls’ quest to climb the league table.
Michael Clegg’s men head into this weekend’s fixture off the back of three consecutive one-goal defeats, with matches against Kidsgrove Athletic, Wythenshawe and most recently Runcorn Linnets all being decided by a 2-1 scoreline.
As indicated by the narrow nature of those losses, it was largely a case of fine margins which prevented a more positive points return across that stretch, and a reversal of those fortunes would be particularly timely ahead of what has the feeling of a particularly high stakes afternoon.
That significance stems from the fact that Hanley represent one of the sides sitting below the Stripes in the standings, with three points potentially elevating the latter back out of the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere.
Saturday’s visitors arrive in Atherton placed 21st in the Northern Premier League Division One West with a total 16 points from 27 matches played, amassed through three wins, seven draws and 17 defeats.
That overall record includes a current run of five straight losses and one point from the seven games since their last victory, a 2-1 triumph over Witton Albion back on December 10.
Maximum points would be warmly welcomed by both camps, then, and such an outcome would allow Cleggy and Co. to complete the double over their opponents, having won October’s reverse fixture 1-0.
And it will be a reinforced group that sets about achieving that goal, with the addition of former Altrincham and AFC Fylde midfielder Joe Piggott already confirmed on Thursday, and a further incoming teased on social media.
With all of that in mind, it would be brilliant to see a bumper crowd to give those new faces a warm Atherton welcome (or perhaps more aptly a welcome back in the case of that mystery man) and to cheer on the rest of the lads as they battle for three particularly valuable points.
For those planning on attending Saturday’s game, entry will be available via our cash or card turnstiles, priced as follows:
Adults: £10
Concessions/Students: £7
Under 18s: £4
Accompanied Under 11s/1916 Club members: Free
