The touchpaper was lit on Michael Clegg’s return to Atherton Collieries with a rejuvenated performance against Consett in the FA Trophy, claiming victory through a thunderous strike from Ethan Kershaw and a penalty shootout.
Alongside winger Will Riding, the Black and Whites starting lineup also saw returns to the club from Ethan Kershaw, Josh Solomon-Davies and Danny Lafferty, who begins his third stint in the Stripes as assistant manager. Former Barrow midfielder Lewis Hardcastle, who captained the Bluebirds under Ian Evatt, also took his place in the Colls dugout for the first time in his new role as first team coach.
The Colls took an attacking impetus from the off, as Will Riding and Amadou Doumbouya led the charge from the wings, supported by Babs Jenkins, Ethan Kershaw and Alex Doyle taking control of the midfield.
Despite the Black & White pressure, the Colls first opportunity to take the lead was controversially denied, as Lewis Mansell headed home from a well taken Will Riding free-kick only to be adjudged to have made a truthfully soft foul in the build-up.
Backed by a raucous Colls faithful, who traveled in great numbers, the Stripes continued to take Consett to the sword in the second half, and the goal eventually came courtesy of returnee Ethan Kershaw.
Following some penalty area pinball, a weak clearance to the edge of the box bounced perfectly for the “Collieries Pirlo” to produce a fine half-volley, nestling soothingly into the top corner and igniting the jubilant traveling support.
Consett threatened a late twist in the tale, finding a 94th minute equalizer through Dominic Curl from a corner, salvaging a penalty shootout lifeline at the last grasp.
However, the Collieries remained comfortable throughout a tight shootout, with Oli Putnam, Danny Lafferty, Max Bardsley-Rowe, Babs Jenkins and Eden Bailey contributing to a 100% conversion rate for the Colls, before Consett’s Jake Jensen fired into the bar to miss and send the Colls through.
The draw for the next round is to be made on Monday afternoon, with the next round tie to also be the Colls next fixture, to be played on Saturday 21st September, before the visit of Kidsgrove to the Dreams2Reality Stadium on the 28th.
