Report: Daisy Hill 0-8 Colls

Colls travelled the mile or so to New Sirs, home of Daisy Hill, for their fifth pre-season workout and a blistering seven star second half display saw them victorious. Michael Clegg's boys dictated play in the first half but seemed to have left their shooting boots at home. Chances were frequent if not clear cut. Vinny Bailey received a corner on the edge of the box and shot narrowly wide after shimmying past a defender. Minutes later a Bailey through ball found Brad Cooke whose tantalising cross was just too high for Jordan Cover to do anything with it. Ben Hardcastle then set up Cooke on the edge of the box but his shot went into the detached property near the corner flag. Thankfully there was no sound of shattered glass. On 30 minutes, Cover somehow pulled a punt forward down stickybob like and then cut inside breezing past numerous defenders. Unfortunately his shot drifted harmlessly wide. The Woodcutters hadn't been in the game but almost made Colls suffer for their spurned opportunities. Fortunately the 20 yard pile driver flashed just wide with keeper Evans beaten. With five minutes of the half remaining Colls got that elusive first goal. Cover burst through and enabled youngster Matty Marsh to shoot unerringly into the far corner of the net. Within three minutes of the restart the lead had been doubled. Mark Truffas smashed a 30 yard screamer against the post. The ball landed at Hardcastle's feet and he unselfishly set up Marsh to apply the finish touch. On 63 minutes Danny Lambert scored his first goal for the club. Matty Grimshaw got the assist as he headed a dinked centre onto the penalty spot where Lambert was placed to caress into an empty net. Five minutes later Marsh had his hat-trick. Truffas was upended by the keeper for a nailed on spot-kick. The ball was thrown to Marsh who shot into the bottom left corner although the keeper made a valiant attempt to redeem himself. Seconds later it was 5-0. Cover raced clear from a quick throw in and he was thwarted bravely by the goalie. Hardcastle was in the right place to tap in the rebound. Cover was on fire but his finishing had been lacking. He looked destined not to get on the score sheet. Then his workmate Rhindsey entered the fray. Rhindsey had sponsored an advertising board with a caveat that he got ten minutes of playing action pre season. He was let loose upfront and within seconds had crossed for Cover to smash in from the edge of the six yard box. A true Roy Of The Rovers moment. Cover then added another before Hardcastle got his brace with the last kick of the game. A quality second half performance against opposition who never gave up. Matty Marsh got the headlines but another youngster, right back Jordan Grant, also put in fine performance. It was also nice to see Nathan Battersby get a cameo 20 minutes on the paddock in his first steps towards fitness. Rhindsey has now gone back to being the leader of the Jordan Cover fan club. Atherton Collieries - Christian Evans, Jordan Grant, Danny Lambert, Matty Marsh (Rhindsey 82'), Matty Grimshaw, Danny Lafferty (Nathan Battersby 72'), Ben Hardcastle, Vinny Bailey, Jordan Cover, Jonny Gorman (Brad Cooke 9' (James Brooks 58'), Mark Truffas Attendance 127 Match report by Emil Anderson Photo by David Featherstone