Report: Colls 6-2 Farnworth Town

Atherton Collieries won again on Tuesday night as they beat Farnworth Town 6-2 at Bee Fold Lane. After Saturday's run out against Runcorn Town, the next opposition came in the form of Lancashire Amateur Division 2 side Farnworth Town. This was a last minute switch after the fixture away to AFC Monton was cancelled due to pitch issues. The Bee Fold Lane training pitch was a suitable last minute option, despite the long grass making for a slow tempo to the match. Colls were by far the better side but work is still needed before next weeks matches against Droylsden and Curzon Ashton. It was in fact the visitors who had the first real chance of the match on the nine minute mark. The Town striker picked the ball up 25 yards out and struck a fierce shot towards goal. Goalkeeper Alex Hayes was equal to the effort, saving well down to his left; parrying the ball to safety. On 12 minutes, Colls took the lead after great play in midfield by Matty Boland. The ball was lobbed forward to Dylan Maloney, who took a neat first touch before chipping the advancing goalkeeper. The match then became heated as rash challenges flew in from Farnworth. The first came on 18 minutes, when Boland was scythed down. The referee had to restore order before Colls scored from the resulting free kick. A trialist floated the ball to the back post, where centre half Kieran Halliwell nodded across the face of goal for Boland to head into an empty net. Colls were in control, but poor defending allowed their visitors to draw back on level terms within a matter of minutes. On 20 minutes, Halliwell hauled down a Farnworth winger. The free kick was whipped in from the set piece before being scrambled in with a close range header. From the kick off, Colls were on the back foot almost immediately and conceded a corner. The ball came in and was met at the back post to leave the score at 2-2 after just 21 minutes. Kaniel Henry was linking well with Maloney down the wing, and the two came close to setting up Boland for what would have been his second of the evening. Unfortunately, his shot from the edge of the box fell just wide of the upright. On 40 minutes, Boland turned into provider again, this time for Jake Patton. The midfielder - who was struggling with a wrist injury - broke free down the wing and calmly finished into the bottom right hand corner. First half side: Alex Hayes, Jake Kenny, Kieran Halliwell, James Brooks, Jake Patton, Chris Lawton, Nathan Battersby, Kaniel Henry, Trialist, Dylan Maloney, Matty Boland Half time - Atherton Collieries 3-2 Farnworth Town Changes were made at half time, with just Jake Kenny and James Brooks playing on into the second period. Jordan Cover was introduced up top with Jack Kenny. The two were relentless in their pressure of the Farnworth defence, and this paid dividends as the match progressed. On 52 minutes, Cover found himself through on goal after great work in midfield by Kris Holt. Cover however found himself pressured by a Town defender. From the resulting corner, Cover headed the ball into the back of the net from close range. Andy Heald marshalled the side well when he came on in the second half, and he was allowed to push on at numerous occasions. On 63 minutes, Heald came close to scoring, but his rasping shot was well saved by a goalkeeper who did well despite conceding six. Colls further extended their lead on 75 minute; again from a corner kick. Tom Shaw fired a low ball into the near post where Jordan Cover was on hand to flick the ball past the goalkeeper with the outside of his right foot. The final goal arrived on 80 minutes when Holt thread a neat ball through to Jack Kenny who took his time and slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Second half side: Josh Harris, Jake Kenny (Ben Hardcastle), Gaz Carson, James Brooks, Matthew Grimshaw, Andy Heald, Craig Dickinson, Tom Shaw, Kris Holt, Jack Kenny, Jordan Cover Full time - Atherton Collieries 6-2 Farnworth Town Match report by Joseph Gibbons