The Bolton Hospital Cup along with the dearly departed Goldline Trophy games always brings/brought a hint of foreboding for Colls fans of a certain vintage. Results against local rivals have been scratchy over the last couple of decades but Michael Clegg was looking to build on last season's 7-2 Macron Stadium final victory against Turton. Tempest United managed by ex Colls mon and last season's LR supremo Ross McNair were the hosts for the 1st round of the revamped Hospital Cup. The revamp being the opening two rounds had to be played by the end of August with the semi and final taking place in the traditional end of season slot. The match started at a good pace with numerous tasty challenges going in with the ref showing a reluctance to punish. Jordan Cover headed well wide from close range and Brad Cooke hit a ferocious effort off target. Colls had control of the game and got the decisive first goal just after the twenty minute mark. Matty Grimshaw's volley from a Ben Hardcastle corner was cleared off the line and Mark Truffas was on hand to tap home the loose ball. The attacks kept coming as new boy James Moore fired narrowly wide from a set piece before Truffas hit his edge of the box freekick far too high. Colls groundsman 'Badger' had put the kiss of death on this by stating it was bound for the top corner. The lead was doubled on 32 minutes. The Tempest defence were taken apart by some intricate play which enabled Mark Battersby to centre for Cover to finish crisply. Phil Howard (an old nemesis of the black n white stripes) had the hosts only real chance of the half but his well hit dipping effort from distance cleared the bar. On 41 minutes Colls made it 3-0, a Truffas free kick was headed in by Cooke from about 10 yards out. This wasn't a league game and the half time interval was cut to about five minutes. This meant the punters who were still waiting for their pints in the bar missed a breakneck paced restart. Jake Kenny surged down the blank and his low centre was unluckily put into his own goal by a Tempest defender. Seconds later Battersby saw the keeper off his line and he cheekily chipped him from 30 yards. He made it 6-0 in the 53rd minute when a controlled a long ball out of defence stickybob like before caressing the ball into the net. Truffas got his second with a lob from 20 yards and Battersby set up Sulley Ahmed to score from close. Ben Hardcastle got in on the act and with minutes remaining Matty Boland hit a screamer to bring up the double figures. An awesome display which must rank as one if the greatest ever in the competition's illustrious history. The game almost spilled over late on and there were a spate of cautions along with an early bath for Tempest's number 8. It was a baptism of fire for the young referee but no doubt he will learn from the experience. Tempest were very praise worthy of our teams performance after the game and they wished us all the best in the next round. Atherton Collieries: Danny Taberner, Jake Kenny, Keith Wedge, James Moore, Matt Grimshaw, Kris Holt, Mark Truffas, Bradley Cooke, Mark Battersby, Jordan Cover & Ben Hardcastle - Substitutes: Matt Boland, Matt Cross, Ahmed Sullay
I awoke on Friday morning to a text from a Bolton Hospital Cup committee member. Which made me think 'here we go again'. Upon investigation I ascertained that a fellow competition official had taken a Thursday night 11.30pm telephone call from A.N Other stating that we had played two lads who were suspended - Messrs Cooke and Battersby. He wanted to know what the committee were going to do about it. This mystery voice was NOT from Tempest United Football Club. The HC committee rightly had to follow this allegation up and I was asked whether Battersby and Cooke were suspended. My reply equalled my understanding of the situation which was that they had suspensions pending commencing the 8 August following dismissals at the end of the last campaign. This is the date of our opening opening league game. Hayley, Discipline Manager at the LFA was contacted and her reply was that all suspensions commence at the beginning of the league campaign. Therefore Mr Mystery-Man - Mr Cooke and Mr Battersby were eligible to play in the game. PS Thanks for trying to ruin our day. In the next round we will play Atherton Laburnum Rovers next Tuesday at Crilly Park Match report by Emil Anderson
I awoke on Friday morning to a text from a Bolton Hospital Cup committee member. Which made me think 'here we go again'. Upon investigation I ascertained that a fellow competition official had taken a Thursday night 11.30pm telephone call from A.N Other stating that we had played two lads who were suspended - Messrs Cooke and Battersby. He wanted to know what the committee were going to do about it. This mystery voice was NOT from Tempest United Football Club. The HC committee rightly had to follow this allegation up and I was asked whether Battersby and Cooke were suspended. My reply equalled my understanding of the situation which was that they had suspensions pending commencing the 8 August following dismissals at the end of the last campaign. This is the date of our opening opening league game. Hayley, Discipline Manager at the LFA was contacted and her reply was that all suspensions commence at the beginning of the league campaign. Therefore Mr Mystery-Man - Mr Cooke and Mr Battersby were eligible to play in the game. PS Thanks for trying to ruin our day. In the next round we will play Atherton Laburnum Rovers next Tuesday at Crilly Park Match report by Emil Anderson
