Report: Colls 4-0 Penistone Church

Following Monday night’s exit from the FA Cup against Radcliffe Borough, the Collieries dusted themselves down to face NCEL side Penistone Church. The Collieries started the brighter of the two sides, controlling the possession and having the more shots on the Penistone goal. Two minutes in and Penistone keeper Joe Holyhead was called into action. Ben Hardcastle collected the ball on his right wing, attacking the Pensitone defence, he cuts in on goal and from the edge of the box shoots, and the ball was well saved by Holyhead. Minutes later the woodwork saved Penistone as captain Andrew Heald came close to taking the lead. Heald, from the edge of the D, shoots and the ball thunders against the left hand Penistone post, a fine shot indeed. Hardcastle was having a fine game for the Collieries causing the Penistone left back problems throughout the game. On fifteen minutes Hardcastle, after collecting the ball in midfield, runs across the edge of the box (from right to left) before watching his shot roll well wide of the goal. The Collieries found themselves deservedly in the lead on twenty nine minutes. Matt Boland drills a powerful corner into the Penistone box for Brad Cooke to bullet his header into the back of the goal. Four minutes later the Collieries were two goals to the good. Another drilled Boland corner into the Penistone box, this time Matt Grimshaw bulleted his header into the back of the net. Two great headers from two great corners. Half Time – Atherton Collieries 2-0 Penistone Church Second half and again the Collieries were controlling the game, confidently passing the ball as the game began to become a bit of a midfield battle. On fifty seven minutes Mark Battersby had a chance for the Collieries. Battersby received the ball on the edge on the Penistone box, with the ball, he turned, released his shot, which just tickled wide. Battersby had another chance ten minutes later however this time, he took it. The ball was cleverly threaded through to Battersby who soon found himself with acres of space and one on one with the keeper, rounding the keeper Battersby easily scored to get his first goal of the game and the Collieries third. After playing the corner that set up the first two goals of the game it was now time for Matt Boland to score in the game. Somehow, from a tight angle Boland managed to chip the ball over the onrushing Penistone keeper. A great goal from Boland to take the score line to 4-0. Minutes later it could have been five. Danny Tabener in the Collieries goal hit the ball forward from a goal kick. The ball was well won by Battersby who heads it on to substitute Nathan Battersby, N. Battersby took the ball forward and ran his was through to the Penistone goal, his shot that followed however was well saved by Holyhead. Full Time – Atherton Collieries 4-0 Penistone Church The perfect way to bounce back following Monday night’s game. The Collieries played well and controlled the midfield, allowing Penistone to have only one shot on goal. They attacked well and played confidently, attention now turns to next Saturday as the Collieries travel to Andrew Street – the home of Chadderton FC. As always, thank you for your support! Atherton Collieries: Danny Tabener, Jake Kenny, Robert Swanton, Andrew Heald, Matt Grimshaw, Mark Ayres, Ben Hardcastle, Brad Cooke, Mark Battersby, Matty Boland, Kris Holt - Substitutes: Dylan Maloney, Gareth Carson, James Brooks, Nathan Battersby Goal(s): Brad Cooke (29'), Matt Grimshaw (33'), Mark Battersby (67'), Matt Boland (72') Penistone Church: Joe Holyhead, Callum Lee, Danny Howes, Ash Ellis, John Whitehead, Brett Lovell, Duncan Richards, Tom Jones, Mark Crossfield, Lewis Dickinson, Alvin Riley - Substitutes: Scott Briggs, Tom Almond, Jack Moore, Brad Kemp Attendance: 119 Match Report: Zach Pierce