Report: Colls 2-0 Eagley

The game was played 24 hours after the title was secured. The celebrations at Cheadle’s Park Stadium were raucous and a few drinks were consumed in The Rope & Anchor upon returning to Atherton. However as it was a ‘school night’ and with the spectre of a further three matches in three days there was no going over the top. Game 3 of the week was against Eagley of the West Lancashire League Premier Division in the second round of the Bolton Hospital Cup. There had been some politicking as the when this game was to be played but insistence that it should be played by the cut date of 17 April meant that this was logistically the only day the tie could take place. Colls could quite easily have pulled out of the competition citing fixture congestion but like all the other fifteen entrants the club want to end their campaign with a game at the Macron Stadium. The first half was a tepid affair. Colls were on the front foot but lacked any real cutting edge. Tom Shaw had a chance on 20 minutes but he shot wide. Eagley’s best effort of the half was when a weak backpass left Danny Taberner in no man’s land but fortunately the ball was scooped over the bar with the net gaping. Ben Hardcastle had a gilt edged chance for the Colls when Wes Bancroft’s sweeping pass playing him in but he scuffed his effort wide. Colls took control of the second period with Jordan Cover having numerous chances against his ex club. He shot into the side netting before missing an open goal. His head didn’t drop mind and he got his reward in the 65th minute. A defence splitting pass put him clear and he expertly slotted the ball past the oncoming keeper. Gareth Carson could have doubled the advantage but his close range attempt from a corner went well over. Eagley were still in it and only a great double save from Taberner kept the game from possibly going to the lottery of penalties. With a couple of minutes of minutes remaining Colls put the game to bed when a Bancroft flick allowed Cover to head home for his brace. A tough game against opposition who have in recent years been regular competition finalists. There was a good crowd on and another decent amount was made for the competition charity MedEquip4Kids. Atherton Collieries: Danny Taberner, Jake Kenny, Andy Heald, Jack Mckay (Mark Truffas), Matt Grimshaw, Gareth Carson, Ben Hardcastle (Nathan Battersby), Kristian Holt, Jordan Cover, Wes Bancroft, Tom Shaw (Gareth Peet) Match report by Emil Anderson

Semi-final draw: Atherton Collieries v Hindsford Atherton Laburnum Rovers v Turton