ATHERTON Collieries booked a Reebok Stadium date with Charnock Richard last night as they battled back from behind to beat Prestwich Heys at Stainton Park in the Goldline Trophy semi-final.
Leigh RMI defender Gerry Harrison appeared for the Manchester League side at centre-half but his matchplay in the Nationwide Conference of late was not enough to stop Colls beating Heys for the second time in this year's tournament. Pitch conditions were excellent given the adverse weather of late and it was only due to the excellence of both goalkeepers that the scoreline remained blank at the break.
James Haseldine in the Atherton goal made a tremendous save that denied Prestwich in the latter stages of the first half and at the other end, Damien Mooney's stop from point blank range denied the North Western Counties League side.
It was a game that needed a goal and the catalyst for brighter things arrived with 10 minutes played in the second half when Brendan O'Shaughnessy sprung the offside trap and squared for Paul Thompson to put Prestwich ahead.
Colls hit back within two minutes when Phil Hill raced clear of the defence to level matters and it was not long before they had the lead when Nicky Fisher curled an effort into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area. Fisher's second five minutes later killed the tie and ensured that Colls would line up for the fourth Goldline Trophy final in the spring.
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