Report: Colls 6-0 Blackrod Town

After a 'will they' 'won't they' period the black n white stripes finally stepped out in the 2014/15 Bolton Hospital Cup. Reformed Lancashire Amateur Leaguer's Blackrod Town made their first visit to Alder House. A healthy crowd was in attendance. The game started with Colls in control of the game but Town were working well in a defensive capacity. Gareth Carson fired over from a corner before the two Mark's linked up. Adams fed Battersby who showed neat footwork but he shot narrowly wide. Gareth Peet hit the outside of the near post from an acute angle on 27 minutes but seconds later Colls took the lead. Jordan Cover who had been on the end of some robust tacking from his marker headed in a Battersby corner from close range. At the time his 'shadow' was on the seat of his pants just outside the penalty area. Minutes later the advantage was doubled, a defensive mix up allowed Battersby to caress the ball into an empty net. This was his landmark 50th goal of a rather extraordinary campaign. Adams soon made it three when he fired into the roof of the net after Cover had a shot saved. The second period continued in a similar vein as the first. On 53 Minutes Josh Messer and Kristian Holt set up Cover to tap in for his brace.Matty Grimshaw made it nap with another close range finish when up for a corner. Town continued to play with real conviction on occasions the match threatened to boil over on occasions partly due to some lassiez faire officiating. Battersby completed the scoring in the final ten minutes after good approach play by Bradley Cooke. A good game which kept Michael Clegg's boys ticking over especially after the match postponement forty eight hours previously. Eagley or Tempest United are the opposition in the next round probably at Alder House with the date TBA. £350 was raised for this years designated charity medEquip4kids. Thanks to all who donated. Atherton Collieries: Danny Taberner, Jake Kenny, James Brooks, Josh Messer (Mark Truffas), Gareth Carson, Matt Grimshaw, Mark Adams (Tom Shaw), Kristian Holt (Brad Cooke), Mark Battersby, Jordan Cover, Gareth Peet: Substitutes: Robert Swanton, Brad Cooke, Tom Shaw, Ben Hardcastle, Mark Truffas Match report by Emil Anderson

First Round: Old Boltonians v Breightmet United (Wednesday 1st April 18:30) Eagley v Tempest United (Wednesday 8th April 18:30) Atherton Laburnum Rovers 3-0 Little Lever Bolton County v Chew Moor Brook Turton v Prestwich Heys (Wednesday 1st April 19:30) Atherton Town v Ladybridge (Wednesday 1st April 18:15) Atherton Collieries 6-0 Blackrod Town Hindsford v Stoneclough (Monday 6th April 15:00)

Second Round: Atherton Collieries v Eagley or Tempest United Turton or Prestwich Heys v Atherton Town or Ladybridge Hindsford or Stoneclough v Bolton County or Chew Moor Brook Atherton LR v Old Boltonians or Breightmet United Dates to be confirmed.