ONE of the few low moments for Atherton Collieries last season was their FA Vase fifth-round loss to Cleethorpes Town, ending a historical cup run just 180 minutes from Wembley.
This weekend the FA Cup first qualifying round gave Mike Clegg and his men an almost-instant opportunity to right one of last season’s few wrongs.
And they took it as they won 2-1 on the east coast with Jordan Cover and Iain Howard scoring.
Colls started the match the brighter of the two teams and Darrhyl Mason headed just wide from Danny Lafferty’s ball.
Moments later Howard played Cover in but his shot on goal was well saved by Town keeper Liam Higton.
This period of pressure culminated with a deserved goal, Cover once again being played in behind the defence and, after collecting Ben Hardcastle’s pass he rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty goal.
The chances came and went, Hardcastle firing over from the edge of the box and Lafferty heading over, as well as Mason being denied a penalty after being upended in the area.
At the other end Colls keeper Adam Reid had to be alert to preserve their lead, saving low down from Danny North.
In the second half Howard’s free-kick offered defender Matt Grimshaw a golden opportunity but from a tight angle he blasted over.
After Cover twice had the ball in the net but was denied on both occasions by the officials, the game then looked set to repeat last season’s meeting, with Cleethorpes awarded another penalty late in the day.
Jack Richardson was felled under pressure from Jamie Forbes and the Owls’ Andy Taylor converted to make the game level at 1-1.
However, it took the Colls just a minute and a half to regain the lead, Mason and Hardcastle combining on the left, and setting up Howard to curl the winner past Higton with ease.
Cleethorpes are renowned for their ability to score late goals and the final 10 minutes saw intense pressure, with an onslaught on the Colls goal.
But Colls held out to progress to the next round with excellent performances from the backline, especially Grimshaw.
Yesterday’s second qualifying round draw gave Colls an away tie at Ossett Town.
Tonight they return to Evo-Stik League North action, travelling to Prescot Cables.
In the Hallmark Security League First Division North, Daisy Hill lost 2-0 at home to Litherland REMCYA while Atherton LR were beaten 1-0 at Alsager Town.
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