Atherton Collieries kicked off pre-season with a comfortable 3-1 win against lower division Prestwich Heys, in what is becoming an annual pre-season opener for the two sides.
The Collieries line-up rotated throughout the game, as gaffer Daniel Lafferty took the opportunity to experiment with his sides’ shape whilst casting his eye over his new charges and retained players alike.
It was Connor Hughes who made the difference in the first half, returning to the Black & White following a title-winning stint in 2019, notching into the bottom corner after gaining possession through a successful press from Riley Filipek, a star player for last season’s Colls Under 21 side.
However, it was Bryson Appleton who ultimately stole the show for Prestwich Heys, giving punters more than decent value for their admission fee with a top drawer volley to equalise minutes later, looping home a first time effort from the edge of the box.
Harvey Bardsley, a new recruit for the Colls who was Blackpool’s third choice stopper last campaign, made a successful debut in the Stripes, with some firm saves throughout the game and a solid command of his box.
On the brink of half-time, Connor Hughes restored the Stripes advantage, looping a ball home at the far post. In competitive play, the goal may truthfully have been awarded as an own-goal to the defender who took the ball over the line, but in the pre-season circumstances there will likely be little contest to the forward claiming the goal as his own, a brace for the afternoon.
Daniel Lafferty made wholesale changes at the interval as he tried a new shape for the second half. The returning Liam Sheppard, who was North West Counties First Division Player of the Season and Top Goalscorer last campaign, led the line alongside Kielen Adams, supported in attack by creative new signing Harry Forshaw.
The young Sheppard was involved for the better of the Colls second half opportunities, flicking on a header for former Daisy Hill teammate Harry Forshaw to slot narrowly wide just after the interval, before almost scoring a headed effort from a corner shortly after, as well as crossing for an effort which was headed over by new signing Jack Sloan. An ambitious volley from outside of the box was scuffed narrowly wide, however.
The deserved goal eventually came for the Colls through Kielen Adams, who converted from the penalty spot after being upended on the edge of the box, sealing a 3-1 victory against respectable and dogged opposition from Ryan Hutchinson’s Prestwich Heys.
Next up, the Colls welcome Warrington Rylands to the Dreams2Reality Stadium on Tuesday 7th July, before trips to Charnock Richard (Weds 15th) and Droyslden (Sat 18th). A home double header against Alsager Town (Tues 21st) and Bala Town (Sat 25th) follows.
