Following the postponement of both Monday night’s game away at Daisy Hill and Wednesday night’s game at AFC Darwen, the Collieries were hoping to resume their promotion push with a home game against Northwich Flixton Villa. This game was labelled as a ‘grudge match’ by many as, back in November, the Colls received their first (and only) league defeat at the hands of Northwich. Brad Cooke scored the Collieries’ only two goals of the game that evening. Throughout the week, the Ground staff worked very hard to ensure this very important game went ahead – thank you to all who came down and helped out! Atherton made a very bright start to the game; they had the ball in the back of the net within the first sixty seconds. From a free kick on the left side of the pitch, Mark Truffas whipped the ball into the Collieries box, it was an invite for anyone to finish the job and head it at goal. Kristian Holt took the invite and did just that as he headed into the top right hand corner. Unfortunately, the linesman judged it to be offside – the goal didn’t count. The timer stood at two minutes when the Colls had a second effort on goal. A long ball from defence was sent forward by Matt Grimshaw, it should have been easily dealt with by the Northwich defence but Reece Hardman accidently headed back towards his own goal. With space, and time Mark Battersby ran onto this and found himself one on one with the Goalkeeper. However, Battersby sent his chip just wide of the post. On fourteen minutes, the Collieries were denied once again. Truffas collected the ball on the edge of the box and curled his run around both the Northwich defence and the area. At a tight angle, Truffas found it difficult to get his shot away but when he did, he was denied by a good save from Northwich Goalkeeper Mathew Green. Seconds later, Truffas again created chances for Atherton. From a corner Truffas curled the ball into the box, M. Battersby rose highest and got his head on the ball, however his header flew just over the bar. A good number of chances were witnessed in the opening period of the game. On 32 minutes however, the Colls took the lead. Matt Boland, from the edge of the D, scored a great free kick. Boland perfected the art of getting the ball ‘up and under’ as he sent his free kick over the wall, over the keeper and into the top right hand corner of the goal. Half Time – Atherton Collieries 1-0 Northwich Flixton Villa The second period of the game started slowly as both teams looked to cancel each other out and the action witnessed was that of a midfield battle with neither team able to get control of the ball. As the game hit the hour mark however, the Collieries were denied in their attempt to double the advantage. It was a case of good link up play from the two centre backs as both Grimshaw and Gareth Carson found themselves in an attacking position. The ball was sent forward, aimed at Grimshaw, he headed the ball down to Carson who dinked his way past the Northwich defence but from a tight angle could only hit the post. Northwich were reduced to ten men six minutes later. Forward Yousif Yousif received a straight red card for diving into challenge. Yet more midfield play followed, but the game sparked up when two Atherton goals were witnessed is quick succession. The first goal came on 75 minutes, the ball was played through from midfield to M. Battersby as he made his way into the Northwich box. As he ran onto the ball, M. Battersby placed said ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal with precision. 78 minutes was on the clock when the second goal was scored. A back pass was played to Northwich’s Green from his own defence. Green, with time and space, passed the ball straight to the feet of M. Battersby. M. Battersby simply adjusted his position and fired the ball into the back of the empty net – possibly the easiest goal he will score all season. Full Time – Atherton Collieries 3-0 Northwich Flixton Villa Three points, is three points – one step closer to promotion. Only a point is needed at Monday’s visit to neighbours Atherton Laburnum Rovers to confirm The Collieries’ promotion to the Premier Division. As always, thanks to the 131 who turned out to support the Colls, your support means so much to everyone at the Football Club. A special thank you to today’s Match Sponsors, A+C Auto Salvage for sponsoring this game. Man of the Match: Mark Battersby Atherton Collieries: Danny Taberner, Jake Kenny, Rob Swanton, Nathan Battersby, Gareth Carson, Matt Grimshaw, Ben Hardcastle, Kristian Holt, Mark Battersby ©, Matt Boland, Mark Truffas – Subsititutes: Gareth Peet, James Brooks, Luke Gibson, Tom Shaw and Dylan Maloney Northwich Flixton Villa: Matthew Green, Emmanuel Dube Palmer, Ismail Sulilman, Guy Anda Palme, Reece Hardman ©, Colm Magee, Lassana Nalatche, Callum McGlynn, Johnny Poizer, Yousif Yousif, Carlos Correia – Substitutes, Shaun Freeman, Micheal Tayor, Sean Rushe, Sven Gibson, Damni Holness Report: Zach Pierce
Report: Colls 1-2 Bacup
December 6, 2023
A delightful Dylan Moonan goal ultimately proved to be in vain as Atherton Collieries were beaten 2-1 by Bacup Borough in the Lancashire FA Trophy.
