Atherton Collieries bowed out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle with a below par performance at Congleton Town.
As the Black & Whites navigate a congested fixture schedule, manager Daniel Lafferty opted to rotate the squad with an eye on the Bank Holiday Monday league fixture at Stalybridge. Connor Hughes returned to the starting line-up after a four-game absence, alongside Will Decandia making his first start in the Stripes.
The Collieries went into the game without a recognised centre-half fit & available, and Congleton were swift in punishing this.
The Bears took the lead with a well-worked free-kick, which eventually landed to Dylan Scott who slotted home comfortably. A second goal followed moments later, as Kieran Knapper intercepted a sloppy midfield pass, and made light work of following through and punishing the mistake.
The Black & Whites did offer a slightly improved showing in the second half, with Rodney Ajayi and Liam Sheppard bringing fresh impetus after the interval.
Sheppard combined with Kielan Adams to create the first major Stripes opportunity of the game, but his shot was narrowly high of the goal, before a double chance fell to Adams and Freddie Gordon, but neither could convert.
Ultimately, this was too little too late, as a clumsy challenge in the penalty area saw the hosts awarded a spot-kick, duly dispatched by Darren Chadwick.
The Collieries substitutes did eventually make their impact, as a great cross-field switch from Aaron Bennett found Javid-Swaby Neavin, who crossed in for Liam Sheppard to head home, whilst debutant Harry Forshaw also offered glimpses of his creative playstyle.
However, any distant glimmer of a fight-back was soon nullified when Congleton picked up their fourth, Theo Knight drilled home after being allowed acres of space on the edge of the box.
The Colls go again on Bank Holiday Monday, another tough test on the road at Stalybridge. The club host FA Youth Cup action on Thursday 3rd, with Wythenshawe Under 18s taking on the young Stripes Under 17s under the Dreams2Reality Stadium Lights. The FA Cup itself continues on Saturday 5th, as Atherton travel to Runcorn to face a Northwich Vics side in fine form.
