Atherton Colls 1-1 Radcliffe FC

A well earned point for the boro after falling behind at Atherton Collieries, the game started off with both sides trying to find a foothold and control the game. After a couple of half chances for either side the boro started to take control and create the best opportunities.

Radcliffe's first chance came from a free kick, crossed in by James Hooper the ball found debutant Jordan Slew at the back post which was nodded back across goal and found Kingsley Williams to head home but was cleared off the line. Nearly a great start.

Then James Hooper had a chance to score played in through on goal, he collided with the inbound goalkeeper and defender, the ball trickled towards the goal but was cleared off the line by the Atherton defence before it could cross. Another great opportunity for the boro.
Liam Wood also had another chance from distance aiming for the bottom corner but was comfortably saved by Colls keeper Greg Hartley.

Atherton Collieries then took the lead at this point against the run of play. The ball was played up to Brad Cooke, held up for Jordan Cover to collect a through ball who slotted home to give the hosts the lead.

But heads didn't drop, almost immediately Radcliffe went on the attack and finally got that deserved goal with a fine piece of play. Hooper played in Kingsley Williams squared across the box for Callum Grogan to tap home and give the Boro a well deserved equaliser for a fine team goal.

Another chance for Radcliffe just before the break, a corner found Callum Grogan at the near post with a header but just wide.

Radcliffe went into the break level but had most of the chances of the half and would have deserved to be ahead at half time.

Second Half began the same as the first, tight with both teams trying to dominate and take control of possession. Both sides had long periods of possession and Atherton came into the game and created their own chances to score. They had a few chances in the half but couldn't break through the boro defence to have a clear opportunity.

The Hosts correctly had a goal disallowed for offside, having pressed the Boro keeper Connor Keane into an error, the ball fell into the path of Jordan Cover with an open net, not having the angle to score himself into an empty net, he played the ball to Adam Farrell who tapped home but was offside so was ruled out by the officials.

Both sides pressed late on for a winner but couldn't find that second goal. Overall a draw was a fair result with Boro having the best chances first half and Atherton Collieries in the second.

Next Game for the Boro is another trip to Yorkshire to play Ossett Town on Saturday in the league, and hoping for another 3 points from across the Pennines.