Report: Colls 3-0 Widnes

Following a 3-0 win at home to Ashton Town, attention turned to Saturday as the Collieries welcomed Widnes to Alder House for another league game. The early possession was controlled by Widnes as the Collieries failed to get a foot into the game. It was Widnes who recorded the first shot of the game on eight minutes when Ronnie McCarthy let fly a shot from the edge of the box that flew just wide of the Collieries goal. This was a wake-up call for the Collieries and within the space of a minute they began to gain control of the game. The ball was laid off for Kristian Holt on the edge of the box to fire his shot at the Widnes goal. Thomas Nelson in goal saved well to prevent his team from going behind. Again, a minute later the Collieries were back, but this time they returned with a goal. Matty Boland threaded the ball through for Kristian Holt who easily scored past Nelson; all the Widnes defence could do is watch as Holt made his way past them. It could have been two on ten minutes. A floated corner into the Widnes box from Matty Boland resulted in Mark Battersby having his header cleared off the line, he managed to jump up above everyone else but again the Widnes defence were there to clear the ball away. Clearly the Widnes defence were having a good opening fifteen minutes, and with that being the time on the clock they again blocked well from a Collieries effort. A good triangular Collieries move ended in Boland shot blocked well by the Widnes defence. However, it was sloppy Widnes defending which resulted in Brad Cooker scoring his first of the game on twenty two minutes. Pinball in the penalty area from a corner resulted in Cooke getting to the ball first and firing home. Half Time – Atherton Collieries 2-0 Widnes For the opening stages of the second half the game slowed down a little and definitely became a midfield battle with the Collieries controlling most of the play. On fifty six minutes substitute James Brooks was robbed in possession, Widnes took advantage of this and counter attack, Bejamin Tullit for Widnes released a shot which was saved well by Daniel Tabener in the Collieries goal. The Collieries looked to regain control of the game and make the score line safe, they had the perfect opportunity on fifty eight minutes when Mark Battersby received the ball from a Boland cross, without taking a touch Battersby fired his shot well over. Brad Cooke soon made it 3-0 to the men in black and white, scoring his second of the game. Another floated corner was sent flying into the Widnes box for Cooke to tap in and make it three. With just minutes to go till the final whistle Widnes had a chance to reduce the deficit, substitute Joel Douglas shoots well but again Tabener (who was having a fine game between the sticks) saved well to keep his and his teams clean sheet in tack. Full Time – Atherton Collieries 3-0 Widnes Another fine win to keep the Collieries 100% record this season going, adding three to the total tally of twenty four goals scored this season (including the St Helens Town FA Cup game). Our next game sees us turn our attention to the FA Cup as we make the short journey to Radcliffe Borough. Details of the game will be available on our website later in the week. On Wednesday 27th we play Stockport County in a friendly at Alder House, details of the game will be released soon. As always, thank you for your support! Atherton Collieries: Danny Tabener, Robert Swanton, Craig Dickinson, Nathan Battersby, Matthew Grimshaw, Gareth Carson, Matty Boland, Brad Cooke, Mark Battersby, Kristian Holt, Mark Truffas - Substitutes: Phil Howard, Mark Ayres, James Brookes, Ben Hardcastle, Tom Shaw Widnes: Thomas Nelson, Alex Davies, Paul Carney, Mathew Lennon, Garry Williams, Thomas Mitchell, James Lydgate, Ronnie McCarthy, Graham Mulloy, Benjamin Tullit, Bradley Williams - Substitutes: Daniel Lomax, James Thomas, Joel Douglas, James Cooper Goal(s): Kris Holt (5'), Brad Cooke (22', 65') Attendance: 82 Match Report: Zach Pierce