Atherton Collieries vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

ATHERTON COLLIERIES 1-3 1874 NORTHWICH NWCFL PREMIER 22ND AUGUST 2015

Having fallen a goal behind in the first half, 1874 turned in an outstanding second half performance to bag all three points at Alder House.

1874 struggled to find their rhythm in the opening half hour as the home side worked hard harassing their opponents not letting them settle. Both sides relied on shooting from distance and played too many long balls which troubled neither defence.

After an even opening, 1874 started to control the game. Colls goalkeeper Danny Tabener pulled off an excellent save to keep out a Mike Brandon header in the 32nd minute and a minute later Ryan Jackson had a goal bound shot blocked.

Last season’s First Division champions took the lead against the run of play in the 37th minute. Mark Truffas received the ball out wide on the left flank, cutting inside he sent a curling right foot shot over Matt Conkie into the top far corner of the net.

Kristian Holt went close to sending the home side into the break 2-0 up but pulled his shot just wide of the target in the closing minutes of the half.

After the break 1874 dominated the opening exchanges of the second half forcing two corners in quick succession before leveling the score in the 52nd minute. Matty Ward floated a free kick into the Colls area; Neil Chappell stole in beyond the far post to head the ball back into the goal mouth where Danny Thomas forced the ball over the line.

1874 hit the front in the 70th minute. Ward drifted across field, his shot was partially blocked. Brandon reacted quickest reaching the ball before Tabener to poke the ball home.

Without causing Conkie any serious alarms on his 100th 1874 appearance, the home side kept on battling to try and get back into the game with Holt firing a couple of long range shots just wide of the goal.

Having had a shot well saved by Tabener, Brandon set up Jackson who drove the ball home from the edge of the area in the 83rd minute.

ATHERTON – Tabener, Wedge, N.Battersby (Kenny 65), Messer (Cover 83), Grimshaw, Ayres, Truffas, Cooke, M.Battersby, Holt, Peet (Hardcastle 65). Subs not used Kirby, Boland.

1874 – Conkie, Connor, James (Ledwards 55), Thomas, Lomas, Chappell, Kirk (Hill 66), Woolley, Brandon, Ward (McNicholl 85), Jackson. Subs not used Mitchell, Stewart.

GOALS – COLLS Truffas 37 1874 – Thomas 52, Brandon 70, Jackson 83

REFEREE – J.Baines ATTENDANCE – 287