Alder Street, home of Atherton Collieries based in Greater Manchester and play their trade in Step 4 of the Non League Pyramid in the Northern Premier League Division One West. Nicknamed “Colls” as it’s in the name “Collieries”.
Friday night and it’s a Greater Manchester match between Atherton Collieries and Wythenshawe Town and I’m hoping to see some familiar faces from Wythy Town tonight! So it’s across the Pennines on to the M61 and into the ground in good time!
I’ve found Steve and a few others from Wythy Town, just waiting for Dan now as the players take to the field… “WYTHY TOWN! WYTHY TOWN!” Over to the other side I go.
Kick Off! The match has got off to an evenly matched start, with both teams looking to impose themselves early on. Atherton look dangerous on the counter… 24th minute and Colls have it on the right, it’s crossed in towards the head of Tom Bentham… 1-0 to Atherton! Keeper can’t keep it out and Colls lead. 1-0!
3 minutes later and Nick Hepple loses the ball for Wythy Town, he chases his man… OH NO! That tackle was nasty, and Hepple’s loss of composure in such a pivotal moment has just given Wythenshawe a mountain to climb for the remainder of the game as it’s a straight Red! He’s lost his head and the Wythy Town faithful are furious!
Atherton are looking to fully take control and Wythy Town are being very sloppy on the ball here… 35th minute and Tom Bentham is played through after more sloppy play from Wythenshawe… He’s in… He’s missed! What a chance!
In the 40th minute now, Aaron Dwyer makes a run into the box from the left wing, taking on his man and looking for space to shoot… He’s found the net! Atherton double their lead! A mountain to climb for Wythenshawe in the second half now… 2-0 at half time!
Second half, Wythenshawe have come out with more energy and purpose, pushing forward in search of a way back into the game here!
54th minute and George Boyd is played through in the box. He goes for goal… WHAT A GOAL!!! He smashes it in and what a second half we have here now! 2-1!
As the game wears on, the tension mounts. Wythenshawe continuing to create half-chances, but they are struggling to break down a solid Atherton backline…
The home side, for their part, haven’t sat back entirely. They continue to look dangerous on the counter-attack, but with Wythenshawe committing numbers forward, they are unable to find the third goal that might put the game beyond doubt.
Wythy Town continue to press… But Atherton hold on for the win.
FT: Atherton Collieries 2-1 Wythenshawe Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 7/10 – Brilliant from the Wythy Town faithful! Atherton gave it a little go themselves but the Wythy boys making all the noise tonight!
- The Ground: 7/10 – Not a fan of the ground on the hill but other than that it has a few stands and a bit of character too!
- Expense: 10/10 – Got my money’s worth tonight with goals and a red card!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Really enjoyed being with the Wythy Town faithful once again and just wished they had equalised more than anything tonight!
33/40