Atherton Collieries perfect pre-season run came to an end at the very final hurdle, as they lost to Hyde United courtesy of two last minute goals on Tuesday night.
The game was lively from the get go, as the hosts had two chances to lead within the first minute, followed by a missed chance for Liam Sheppard at the opposite end just moments later.
With the frantic start continuing, Chinedu Uche created a further opportunity with a quick break, playing Sheppard 1-v-1 with the freedom of the entire half. The young forward attempted an ambitious effort from range with goalkeeper Jordan Eastham out of position and wrong-footed, which was tipped over the bar.
Further chances came for both sides, as goalkeeper Harvey Bardsley continued his fine form in the Black & White goal, whilst Freddie Gordon tested the Tigers stopper with an outside the box effort from a corner.
Eventually, the stalemate fell just before the hour mark through Connor Hughes, who drilled an effort across goal from the byline, beating the goalkeeper courtesy of a deflection.
The returning Hughes, a key player when the Collieries won the Northern Premier League West title in 2019, ends pre-season as the Colls top goalscorer, with 4 goals from 5 appearances.
The forward’s momentum continued with an audacious half-way line effort minutes later, but Eastham miraculously recovered to get a hand to the effort when many in the ground considered him beaten.
The Collieries should have put the game to bed in the 87th minute, as Uche cut inside only to fire his effort straight at the keeper.
However, Hyde remained relentless in pursuit of a result themselves, and caught the Collieries sleeping from a corner to equalise with a minute remaining.
With the wind beneath their sails, the higher-division hosts put the Collieries to the sword to win another corner from the restart, and it was headed home to end the Stripes perfect pre-season at the final hurdle.
Atherton Collieries return to competitive action on Saturday 8th August with a trip to Barnoldswick Town in the FA Cup, with the winner set to face Hallam or Irlam.
Mossley are the visitors to the Dreams2Reality Stadium for the first home game of the Northern Premier League campaign on Saturday 15th August, with the league season set to begin at Lower Breck on Wednesday 12th, subject to FA Cup results.
