Report: Prescot Cables 3-1 Colls

All four goals came in the first half as Atherton Collieries fell to their first defeat of the season as they were taught a lesson in efficiency and physicality by hosts Prescot Cables. Michael Clegg's Colls side went in to the game on a high after a 2-1 FA Cup victory at the weekend away to Cleethorpes Town, exacting revenge for last season's FA Vase exit, but they were never quite at the races in this encounter. Clegg made four changes from Saturday's victory, with ex-Salford City right back Chris Lynch making his debut while Garth Peet, Kris Holt and George West all started ahead of Jordan Grant, Danny Lambert, Matt Grimshaw and Iain Howard. After an even opening to the game, the home side went in front on 23 minutes when, having made two fine saves in quick succession, Cables found it third time lucky in beating Adam Reid from the rebound with Josef Faux claiming the credit. Reid was called upon soon afterwards to again make an impressive double save as Prescot pushed for a second goal, but Colls were soon to find themselves on level pegging when some neat interplay sent Gareth Peet clear on goal, only for him to be brought down by home goalkeeper Marcus Burgess. Burgess was shown a yellow card for his troubles and Jordan Cover was left to send Burgess the wrong way to despatch the spot kick for a 34th minute equaliser. Any thoughts of keeping the scores at level pegging in time for the break took only five minutes to dispel when Colls failed to prevent a cross from Prescot's right hand side that perfectly picked out Dominic Marie to beat Lynch to the ball and fire a half volley past Reid to restore his side's one goal advantage. That lead was doubled little more than a minute later in the simplest of circumstances as Cables centre back Joe Herbert stole a lead on the Colls defence to head home a simple third goal straight from a right wing corner. Both sides struck the woodwork in the second half but there were to be no further scores added as first Jordan Cover picked up a loose ball thirty yards from goal and quickly hit a curling effort that bounced off the outside of the post while Lloyd Dean cracked one against the post late on for Cables in addition to both goalkeepers making a couple of smart saves when called upon. A lesson learned for Colls as they look to adapt to the physical pressures of the Evo-Stik League Division One North, with focus now switching to Ossett Town's visit to the Kensite Stadium this Saturday (9th September, 3pm) before Bamber Bridge visit M46 on Monday (11th September, 7.45pm) ahead of a quick rematch with Ossett Town, this time in West Yorkshire in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round (Saturday 16th September, 3pm). Prescot Cables: Marcus Burgess, Andrew Scarisbrick, Valter Fernandes, James McCulloch (C), Joe Herbert, Baba Conte (Turner), Josef Faux (Burton), Jordan Wynne, Dominic Marie (Tunde Owolabi), Lloyd Dean, Jordan Southworth - Substitutes: Daniel Burns, Burton, Tunde Owolabi, Turner Atherton Collieries: Adam Reid, Chris Lynch (Jordan Grant 73'), Gareth Peet, Josh Messer (Matt Grimshaw 86'), Danny Lafferty (C), Jamie Forbes, Ben Hardcastle, Kris Holt, Jordan Cover, Darrhyl Mason, George West (Johnny Gorman 69') - Substitutes: Matt Grimshaw, Johnny Gorman, Jordan Grant, Dom Butler, Nathan Battersby Attendance - 281 Man of the Match - Gareth Peet Match report by Matt Lawton Photo by David Featherstone