Lions Dig Out Win At Collieries

The Lions put the setback at Stafford behind them to bring back a hard fought three points from Atherton writes Ivor Timmis.

Andy Welsh made four changes from the Stafford match: the suspended Kallan Murphy was replaced by Tom Denton and Gabriel Johnson, Liam Tongue and Jordi Nsaka returned at the expense of Luke Marriette, Kofi Moore and Michael Afuye. Johnson played just behind Denton in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Nsaka offering width on the left.

Playing down the considerable slope, Atherton started brightly forcing a free kick and a corner in the first two minutes. On 13 minutes Lewis Thompson hit the post with an angled drive with Ollie Battersby beaten. Jordan Scanlon was proving a handful on Atherton’s right and fired wide from a promising position on 15 minutes. Atherton had the territorial advantage and on 25 minutes an overhead kick by the dangerous Enock Lusiama was bravely blocked at close range by Ollie Brown.

As half time approached, the Lions grew into the game more, but had only misdirected headers by Denton and Reece Kendall, a testing shot by Prince Ekpolo and a foray into the area by Nsaka to show for it. It had been a scrappy first half, but 0-0 against the slope was a reasonable effort by the Lions.

As soon as the second half kicked off it was clear that the Lions meant business and they began to string passes together. On 47 minutes a Johnson strike was ruled out because the ball had run out of play before Nsaka crossed it, but the Lions were starting to purr.

Nevertheless it was a stroke of luck which brought the goal they were seeking. Denton laid off a long clearance to Tongue who broke wide before sending in a tame effort to the near post, which somehow slipped through Tom Donaghy’s grasp and rolled apologetically into the net. On such moments can matches and seasons turn.

Donaghy redeemed himself moments later by tipping over a fine volley by Nsaka after a good cross by Brown. A Kendall header from a Whelan corner was then tipped on to the bar as the Lions began to dominate.

Better was to follow after 74 minutes when a long Battersby kick fell to Johnson who cleverly made space and curled the ball into the bottom left corner. Tom Denton pointed out to me after that he had flicked the kick on, so the assist was his.

Adam Dawson, who showed some neat touches wide left, came on to replace Kendall, who had injured himself in a thunderous block tackle, with Nsaka dropping in at left back. However, just when you thought it was safe, Atherton launched an incisive counter attack, the ball was slipped inside Nsaka and the resulting low cross was prodded home by Lusiama for his 10th goal since signing in November. The Lions were able to see out the match, perhaps not with ease, but without any serious alarms.

As against Stafford, the Lions were faced with a team fighting for their lives on a less than perfect pitch. Lessons had clearly been learned and a resilient display, with plenty of graft and moments of craft, secured the points.

Atherton Collieries 1-2 Guiseley | Tuesday 5th March 2024 | Skuna Stadium

Attendance: 273

Team: 1. Ollie Battersby, 2. Ollie Brown, 3. Reece Kendall (76′ Dawson), 4. Leigh Whelan, 5. Aiden Walker, 6. Jameel Ible (C), 7. Liam Tongue, 8. Prince Ekpolo, 9. Tom Denton, 10. Gabriel Johnson (88′ Afuye) and 11. Jordi Nsaka (88′ Mariette).

Subs: 12. Luke Mariette, 14. Kofi Moore, 15. Adam Dawson,  16. Michael Afuye and 17. Josh Ashman.

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