Atherton Collieries maintained their perfect pre-season record with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Alsager Town at the Dreams2Reality Stadium, producing another impressive attacking display to take their summer goal tally into double figures.
The Colls made a positive start and were rewarded after just ten minutes when Connor Hughes opened the scoring in style. Picking up the ball on the edge of the area, Hughes curled a superb effort into the bottom-right corner to give the hosts a deserved early advantage.
Atherton continued to threaten throughout the first half and nearly doubled their lead before the interval when Chinedu Uche burst down the right-hand side. The winger’s powerful run ended with an effort that crashed into the side netting, as the Colls remained firmly in control despite taking only a one-goal lead into the break.
The hosts wasted little time extending their advantage after the restart. Eight minutes into the second half, Ben Rydel delivered an inviting corner that Sam Olawumi attacked brilliantly, rising highest to power a header home and make it 2-0.
Atherton’s dominance continued and a third goal arrived with 20 minutes remaining. Kielen Adams showed composure inside the penalty area, heading the ball down before taking a touch and calmly slotting beyond the goalkeeper to all but seal the result.
The Colls then scored twice in quick succession to put the contest beyond all doubt. Essa Janneh was on hand to force the ball over the line from Sam Sheridan’s corner to make it four, before Jack Sloan’s excellent ball across the face of goal allowed Trialist B to finish from close range and add a fifth.
Alsager grabbed a late consolation goal shortly after Atherton’s fifth, but it did little to take the shine off another confident Colls performance.
The final whistle confirmed a convincing 5-1 victory for Atherton Collieries, who continue their flawless pre-season campaign with another impressive attacking display and plenty of encouraging signs ahead of the new season.
Photo: Harvey Brindle – Words: Zach Pierce
