There were three meetings between these two local rivals last season. The first match saw Collieries win 5-3 in front of a crowd of 609, while the second resulted in an equal amount of goals with Atherton winning 8-0 at New Sirs. The final match of the season was so poor, I have still not mustered up the energy to write the match report and probably never will do. Needless to say, it ended 0-0. Suitably refreshed Collieries travelled to New Sirs with many players at their disposal. This resulted in a near complete change of personnel at half time. Matty Boland lined up against his former club, while former Alder House favourite Kieran Halliwell featured for the home side. A rash challenge arrived after just 30 seconds of play as Nathan Battersby was scythed down by a keen to impress Daisy Hill midfielder. The resulting free kick didn’t bring much in the way of goalmouth action but the sizeable Collieries following didn’t have to wait much longer to see their team open the scoring. The three Matt’s combined on 19 minutes to take Collieries into a lead which they would go on to extend just a few minutes later. Matt Boland drilled in a low corner from the right hand side before Matt Grimshaw inadvertently dummied at the front post. The ball made its way through to Matt Cross who hammered the ball into the goal. Matty Boland, for the second game running, impressed as he helped run the midfield along with the energetic Kristian Holt. Having set up the first goal, he also played a part in the second as he sent a testing ball into the area where it was met by the head of James Kirby. The striker who finished the season with Glossop North End joined Matt Cross in securing his first goal for Collieries. Two goals became three on 29 minutes when a move came down the right hand side. Keith Wedge put in a faultless shift at right back and proved to be a great support for Mark Truffas who caused problems for the Daisy Hill defence throughout the first half. It was Truffas who crossed the ball into James Kirby for him to score his second in as many minutes. Many in attendance would have been forgiven for being star struck following the brief appearance of Collieries goalkeeper Danny Taberner on television this week. The stopper was on ITV’s reality show Love Island for a few minutes but this didn’t hinder his performance. He was called upon on 35 minutes, when just like a Love Island contestant he got down low, spread himself and dealt with the challenge at hand. However, Taberner was helpless when just a minute later he was picking the ball out of the back of the net. Possession was given away by Collieries in their own half and a Daisy Hill striker capitalised, hitting the ball into the top right hand corner off the underside of the crossbar. The half ended and both camps set about changing over their players for the second half. Collieries performed well in the second half and further extended their lead on 58 minutes. Gareth Peet cut inside from the right hand flank with a driving run and played the ball over to Jordan Cover. The striker found himself one on one with the goalkeeper and he proceeded to chip the ball past him into the left hand corner. Manager Michael Clegg introduced A N Other to the field two minutes later and it didn’t take long for the unknown winger to score. A corner came in from the left and it was stabbed in from close range. Quite a start to a possible Colls career. The best goal of the game was saved for the last few minutes, and has already overtaken Gareth Peet’s “Le Tissier moment at Coppull” as goal of the season, if you can start judging such accolades at this premature stage. Jordan Cover picked the ball up on the left hand flank and turned his man. He dribbled past two defenders travelling towards the byline where he cut back in to beat another Daisy Hill player. Now bearing down on goal he dribbled towards the goalkeeper and scooped the ball into the roof of the net from a couple of yards out. It had to be seen to be believed. It had been another pleasing runout from a Collieries perspective, building upon good team performances against Bolton Wanderers and Coppull United. Next up is a visit from a Stockport County XI at home on Tuesday. Atherton Collieries first half team: Danny Taberner, Keith Wedge, Nathan Battersby, Matt Grimshaw, James Moore, Matt Cross, Mark Truffas, Gareth Peet, Matty Boland, Kris Holt, James Kirby Atherton Collieries second half team: Danny Taberner, Jake Kenny, James Moore, Gareth Carson, Tom Shaw, Brad Cooke, Josh Messer, Lewis Coleman, Gareth Peet, Jordan Cover, Mark Battersby Match report by Joseph Gibbons
Match Preview: Morpeth (A)
December 1, 2023
Atherton Collieries head to Morpeth on Saturday 2nd December, aiming to break a duck which has led to the Colls so far never recording a
