An injury time penalty enabled the black ‘n’ white stripes to lower the colours of the inform Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division leaders, Matlock Town. On their first ever visit to downtown Atherton the Gladiators were soon in their stride. After some defensive sloppiness, a long-range sortie just cleared the bar as Colls glovesman Danny Taberner breathed a sigh of relief.
Ben Conway was a constant thorn in Matlock’s side. He showed some fine skill to turn his marker inside out but his effort went into the side netting. It was his last outing as a Colls Mon as he starts a new life in Texas this coming week. He will be greatly missed. Gareth Peet made a lung-bursting run up the slope only to see his daisy cutter cannon off the far post and rebound to safety.
The teams were set to go into for half time drinks level but a looped header from Joel Amado evaded the despairing mitt of Matlock's keeper Shaun Rowley.
The visitors are top of the league ladder for a reason and they showed enthusiasm to claw their way back into the game. Their endeavors paid off with fifteen minutes left on the watch. The ball was pumped into the Colls penalty box and after a couple of flick ons, Callum Chippendale applied a neat finishing touch. Soon after, Taberner was forced to make a great close range save. He didn't have time to spot the raised flag of the lino.
Both teams went hammer and tongue for a winner, Colls got it in the second minute of injury time. The galloping Gareth Peet was upended in the box and Matty Gillam nervelessly sent Rowley the wrong way.
In three stop-start campaigns, it was the first time the Collieries had beaten a team who were perched atop the NPL Premier Division. The lads could have felt sorry for themselves following the controversial FA Cup elimination - they didn’t and ground out a famous victory against hard working opponents.
Atherton Collieries: Danny Taberner, Clive Smith, Gaz Peet, Luca Defreitas-Hansen, Danny Lafferty ©, Joel Amado, Ben Conway, Danny Lambert, Marcus Cusani, Jack Lenehan (Matty Gillam 75’) and Scott Sephton. Unused substitutes – Dylan Glass, Elliot Rokkas, Niall Battersbu and Luke Hutchinson.
Bolton Arena Man of the Match - Ben Conway
Article – Emil Anderson
Photo – David Featherstone
New Signing: Oli Putnam
December 5, 2023
Atherton Collieries can confirm the signing of Oliver Putnam, who joins the club from NWCFL high flyers Wythenshawe Town. The attacking midfielder has previously impressed
