Atherton Colliers v FC UNITED. 3pm Saturday, 19th October

[Nick Duckett]

Skuna Stadium, Alder Street, Atherton, Manchester, M46 9EY

ADMISSION PRICES: PAY ON THE GATE
£8 adults
£5 over 65 years
£5 students
£3 12-17 years
Under 12 year olds admitted free of charge with a paying adult

BARS AND FOOD
There will be food and drink available in the ground.
BUS
The V2 bus goes from Portland Street to Atherton bus and takes you direct to the ground – get off at Alder House. A day ticket will cost you £4.20 (First Greater Manchester Day Ticket).
TRAIN
From Manchester Victoria, catch a train to Southport, Wigan or Kirkby (ensuring that the service is via Walkden or Atherton)
From Manchester Piccadilly, catch a train to Salford Crescent and change there for one of the Southport, Wigan or Kirkby trains via Atherton.
Walking directions from Atherton train station (0.6 miles):
Exit the train station and walk down the hill towards the traffic lights at the cross roads. Cross over the road outside ‘Poppies’ and turn right down Bolton Road. Carry on past Weston Street on the left and then take a slight left down Bolton Old Road walking past St. Philip’s Primary School. Carry on walking past the school, crossing Laburnum Street on the left. Carry on down the hill and past the cotton mill until you arrive at the Rope & Anchor Pub. Walking around the bend following the road you will eventually come across Alderfold Street on the left. Walk down here and you will arrive at the rear of the ground. If you get lost, the lovely people of Atherton will happily guide you in the right way!

[Paul Hinson]

Collieries have played 3 of 11 League games at home to date, the fewest in the Division.
Anthony Pilkington scored the first ever hat trick against FCUM for the Colls at Gigg Lane in November 2006.
The Reds have won both previous away fixtures against Atherton, 3-0 in January 2007 at Hilton Park, Leigh and 1-0 at Alder House in September 2019.
Atherton striker Danny O’Brien scored Hyde United’s first goal in their 2-1 win at Broadhurst Park in August 2019.

[Ben Hughes]

NEXT COMMENTARY:

FC Live returns this afternoon with coverage of Atherton Collieries against FC United in The Northern Premier League.

Here is Statto Paul's Preview

https://audioboom.com/posts/7400705-fc- ... llieries-a

And if you cannot make it, tune in from 2.30pm on http://www.fc-radio.co.uk

[Ben Hughes]

PRE MATCH INTERVIEW:

Last night we caught up with FC United Manager Neil Reynolds to hear his thoughts heading into this afternoon's game.

https://audioboom.com/posts/7400787-pre ... ton-cols-a

[Ben Hughes]

FC LIVE GOALS:
https://audioboom.com/posts/7400865-fc- ... llieries-a

POST MATCH INTERVIEW:
https://audioboom.com/posts/7400875-pos ... ton-cols-a

[Guy Mansfield]

Match video highlights courtesy of Colls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Twe_DBUuN0

[Nick Duckett]

FC United bounced back from their midweek defeat against Basford United with a 3-2 victory in a competitive meeting at Atherton Colleries.

The game was the third time the two team had met this season, and it was another hard fought 90 minutes, with an outstanding second half strike from Regan Linney being the difference between the two teams.

Atherton took the lead early in the game as a good through ball left Tom Bentham one on one with Cameron Belford, and he slotted away to make it 1-0 Atherton with just six minutes on the clock.

The response was exactly what Neil Reynolds would be looking for from The Reds, as they got on top of the game and created large periods of pressure, but some resolute defending meant the breakthrough was hard to come by.

Tunde Owalabi did manage to get that equaliser after half an hour, as a corner wasn’t cleared from the box, a couple of half chances prodded towards goal and then Tunde got the last touch as the ball somehow found its way into the back of the net. Not the prettiest of goals, but they all count the same.

Five minutes before the break FC captain Mike Potts gave us the lead with an amazing strike from outside the box that left Atherton ‘keeper Oliver Byrne with no chance of stopping it.

Just when it looked as though FC would take the lead into the second half the home team levelled things up, once again a great through ball opened the FC defence up and this time it was Jordan Cover through one on one, but with the same outcome.

The second half carried on right where the first had left off, with both teams being competitive all over the field and a few questionable challenges; and decisions, adding an extra bit of spice to proceedings.

Just seven minutes into the second half Linney scored a goal worthy of winning any game, as he moved the ball onto his right foot outside the box and placed his shot right in the top corner leaving Byrne stranded without a chance for the second time that afternoon.

The competitive nature of the game saw an awful challenge by Bentham on FC keeper Belford, and the decision by the referee to only show a yellow for this seemed to be a strange decision but being consistent the offside call he made to rule out an Atherton equaliser moments later was just as puzzling.

Attacking up the hill in the second half and against a home team that came on strong in the second half it was a tough slog in the second half, but the spirit that Reno has built up in this team showed the resilience needed to see out the ninety minutes and put FC back in the win column and up to fifth place and a play off spot as the game finished.

FC United now travel to Radcliffe (again) next Saturday in an FA Trophy clash, before getting back to league action the following week as we welcome Gainsborough Trinity to Broadhurst Park.

Website man of the match: Mike Potts. Led by example and never stopped working for the whole 90 minutes. Great to see in a game where the whole team needs to dig in and show that fighting spirit, and his goal was pretty special as well.

Report by Craig Phillips