A late goal from visiting full back Aaron Morris saw Colls suffer FA Cup replay heartbreak having twice come from behind to draw 2-2 in the original tie at Broadhurst Park on Saturday. Colls boss Micheal Clegg made three changes from Saturday’s tie, Jack Egan, Jordan Cover and Brad Lynch coming in to the side to replace Ian Rowlands, Ben Conway and the unfortunate Ben Hardcastle, who picked up an injury in a heavy challenge in Saturday’s tie.
An even first half saw both sides remain competitive without creating any particularly clear cut chances in what was ultimately a goalless first 45 minutes. Jack Lenehan and Michael Donohue saw low shots kept out by Colls goalkeeper Oliver Byrne, while Tom Bentham flashed a shot wide of the far post at the other end having beaten the visitors’ offside trap before Brad Lynch dragged a shot wide of the near post on 36 minutes having done the hard work in cutting inside and creating the opening for himself.
Bentham went close again early in the second half as he saw a shot deflected over the crossbar, while Jordan Cover saw a 67th minute effort tipped around the post by visiting goalkeeper Patrick Wharton.
A tense game finally started to open up in the final 15 minutes, Cover firing wide of the target before the visitors took the lead on 78 minutes, Aaron Morris heading home at the far post after Donohue‘s effort had been tipped over the bar for a corner.
Colls pressed late on for an equaliser in the hope of forcing extra time but it was to no avail as they failed to find the breakthrough and end this season's FA Cup interests.
League action is the order of the day this coming Saturday (14th September) when they travel to Stalybridge Celtic for a 3pm ahead of welcome Prescot Cables to the Skuna Stadium for a League Cup tie the following Monday (16th September, 7.45pm). Atherton Collieries: Oliver Byrne, Niall Battersby, Gareth Peet, David Sherlock (Kieran Feeney 79’), Daniel Lafferty ©, Clive Smith, Jack Egan, Vinny Bailey, Tom Bentham, Jordan Cover (Oliver Roberts 79’), Brad Lynch (Ben Conway 53’). Substitutes (not used): Ian Rowlands, Chris Cheetham. Rama Spice Man of the Match: Daniel Lafferty Attendance: 947
Match Report: Matt Lawton
Match Preview: Morpeth (A)
December 1, 2023
Atherton Collieries head to Morpeth on Saturday 2nd December, aiming to break a duck which has led to the Colls so far never recording a
