Report: Abbey Hey 2-4 Colls

Atherton Collieries came from behind at the interval to beat Premier Division side Abbey Hey 4-2 in the League Cup. The Collieries were on Men United Cup duty of Saturday as they made the journey to Gorton to face Abbey Hey. Colls needed a win to bounce back following two defeats in two, the first coming at home to Seahem Red Star last Saturday in the FA Vase and the second coming against Northwich Flixton Villa on Wednesday. Atherton had the first effort of the game with only two minutes on the clock. Tom Shaw whipped a free kick deep into the Abbey Hey box, defender Matt Grimshaw was on hand to volley the ball well over the bar. It was another volley, the second of the game; that allowed Abbey to take the lead two minutes later. The ball was crossed into the Collieries’ area for Jon Hardy who volleyed home to take Abbey into the lead. Mark Truffas had a chance to draw the two teams level on ten minutes. The long ball was sent across to Truffas who brought it under control at his feet and ran along the rim of the Abbey box before he fired his shot at goal. Abbey goalkeeper Ross Heywood saved with his chest to deny Truffas the goal. On 26 minutes the Colls had their equaliser and deservedly so, an attacking forward ball was hit forward from Atherton. Forward Mark Battersby perfectly headed the ball down for Mark Adams on the edge of the box, inside the D. Adams fired the ball straight into the back of the net. Adams could have doubled his and the Collieries tally on 34 minutes. On the right hand side of the box, Adam’s shot flew across the face of goal. Two minutes later however, Abbey Hey found themselves back in front. Tom Murray of Abbey Hey was able to run from midfield to deep inside the Colls half following an error in midfield. Murray was able to finish his run in the Collieries’ area and poke the ball past goalkeeper Danny Taberner. Half Time – Abbey Hey 2-1 Atherton Collieries The second half saw a much better performance from the Collieries. 52 minutes in and they found their equaliser. Following a corner kick there was pandemonium in the Abbey box, the ball eventually landed at the feet of Adams on the edge of the area, Adams duly fired the ball into the back of the net. Nine minutes past the hour mark, Adams (who was having a fine game) crossed the ball in for Battersby who stood on the edge of the area. Battersby set himself up for a shot which was scuffed into the palms of Heywood. Both Battersbys were involved in a Collieries attack on 77 minutes. M. Battersby crossed in for left back Nathan Battersby to head just over the bar following little pressure from the Abbey defence. With minutes to go, extra time looked on the cards as the Colls attacked and attacked searching for that all important winning goal. With two minutes to go before the 90 an Atherton corner curled into the packed out Abbey area. The ball was met by the head of Mark Ayres who directed his header towards goal. Abbey’s Daniel Hewitt did extremely well to clear the ball off the line. On the 89th minute, the Collieries found themselves with a penalty following a foul on substitute Jordan Cover. Defender Ayres stepped up to take the penalty, and scored, having sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. There was just enough time for the Colls to get their fourth and to seal the win. Battersby deservedly got his goal having worked extremely heard throughout the game. A forward thinking Atherton ball forward was collected by forward Jordan Cover after he capitalised on Heywood’s slip. Cover rounded the keeper but was obstructed by a late Abbey defender who was covering the goal. Cover passed the ball onto teammate Battersby who passed the ball into the back of the net with ease. Full Time – Abbey Hey 2-4 Atherton Collieries A superb fight back against a very tough and well organised Abbey Hey side. The lads put a high amount of effort in throughout the game and finished up as deserved winners. The Collieries now face either 1874 Northwich or Colne away in the next round.