The Skuna Stadiums' first game of the upcoming season saw a pre-season friendly run out 3-0 to the visitors, with both teams having one eye on the beginning of the new campaign.
As fans are still not permitted into football stadiums just yet, both teams played out a pre season friendly behind closed doors with Bolton ultimately the better team come the final whistle. Emphasis came from both camps about fitness and preparation, with regards to the new season, was a key factor in the fixture. Nevertheless it still offered a fairly even game and three well taken strikes to settle the difference.
The early opening moments of the game saw an equal share of possession and a couple of strong tackles, as Bolton tried to state their intentions first with balls in from out wide and through the middle, not troubling Danny Taberner in the Colls goals just yet. A quick response from the home team didn't quite come to fruition with Elliot Rokka placing a shot wide just from outside the box. It wasn't long before Bolton tried to bite back, with a shot aiming the top left corner hitting the woodwork. A third and fourth shot in quick succession were saved, both from Bolton counter attacks.
A clever dink from Crawford to find striker Eoin Doyle to nod towards goal forced the Colls into another good save. Colls tried to hit back quickly in response with three shots blocked inside the box. As half time was beginning to creep in, a corner for the Colls saw a header hit the bar and the rebound cleared off the line, the next shot hitting a body before the away team set off on another counter. Colls midfielder Danny Lambert looked to have interceped the threat in the middle of the field, with the ball running just behind him it was picked up by the opposition and set up for Eoin Doyle to blast the ball into the top right corner. Complaints from the Colls claiming Lambert was fouled were waved away by the referee.
The restart after the break saw a similar story with the away team holding just about the majority of possession. Colls continued to be valiant having a header saved from stopper Alexander who was forced into a good 1v1 moments earlier. Bolton responded well with a high press up the field and Trialist scoring a sweetly struck strike into the top left corner from the right side of goal inside the box.
Colls remained firm and dug deep holding the ball and battling possession well in midfield after the deficit had doubled. Either team were given chances at goal again before a change in the Atherton net for the final twenty. An over the top ball from Colls presented them with a header once again seeing Alexander for Bolton turn it behind for a corner. It was confirmed to be game and set and match to the visitors inside the last ten minutes with Dennis Politic moving past the Colls with a clever dummy and well taken shot into the bottom right corner. One final flourish from the Colls in the closing moments didn't trouble the away goal and brought to and end a respectable performance from both teams given some players played for the first time since March.
Colls: Danny Taberner, Clive Smith, Gareth Peet, Nial Battersby (Douglas 45'), Danny Lafferty (C), Rick Smith, Danny Lambert, Vinny Bailey, Jordan Darr (Sigsworth 50'), Elliot Rokka (Ben Conway 45'), Dylan Glass (Kyle Sambor 45').
Match Report: Ryan Simpson
Attendance: 0 (Behind Closed Doors)
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.
