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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jacob's double for Rams inflicts openg-day loss on LR
Atherton LR opened their NWCFL Premier Division account with a narrow 2-1 defeat to champion contenders, Ramsbottom United on Saturday. It was a poor start by the Yellows as they went down early, with Rams winger Matt Dudley making a darting run down the wing to lay off Jacob Holland-Wilkinson who snuck a low ball through bodies and beat Joe Bickerstaffe to put the Rams ahead after just three minutes. LR fought their way back and held out against a strong Ramsbottom push before getting their own respective chances - Tom Lawless and Cal Hunter worked well together to get balls into the box but there was some great defensive work and notable saves by Rammy keeper Brad Rose. Ramsbottom were able to double their lead with Holland-Wilkinson again in space at the edge of the box, and he met a bouncing ball with a well-taken volley which flew past Bickerstaffe to doubled the hosts' lead. Hunter nearly got a brilliant goal back with a free-kick just hitting the corner of the bar. Coming back from the break, LR held the momentum with Abiola Obasoto and Harvey Brookes working well down the flank and Kieran Alley and George Chadwick on the opposite side mirroring them Substitute Tom Romano was eventually able to grab LR's only goal - a brilliant run following a defensive error was slipped under Rose and gave the visitors some momentum into the final 20 minutes. However, the Rams were able to hold on for a nervy win and despite the loss, LR pushed one of the league favourites all the way and have a lot to be proud off. Manager Dave Jones showed his appreciation afterwards and said: 'I'm proud of them.. the lads were brilliant, the better side throughout the game and this is a difficult place to go. 'Ramsbottom are hard to play against, hard to beat and they wont lose many games here - they're good at what they do.' LR return to Crilly Park on Tuesday night against South Liverpool (7.45pm).
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Adams nets as Colls draw with West Didsbury & Chorlton
Football returned to the Dreams2Reality Stadium on Tuesday night as Atherton Collieries and West Didsbury & Chorlton played out a lively 1-1 draw in varying degrees of rain. Michael Clegg's hosts took the lead after 17 minutes. Kielan Adams was served up the ball up on a platter by the West defence and he finished clinically for his second pre-season strike. The half ebbed and flowed as the visitors showed glimpses as to why they are among the favourites to challenge for the NWCFL crown next season. Ethan Kershaw had a great chance to double the lead but the keeper foiled his close-range double effort impressively. The second period continued at a steady pace as the players got those vital fitness minutes in their legs. The visitors were back on level terms on 65 minutes. A deep cross saw the rangy number 16 cause chaos at the far post and Jordan Lazenbury stubbed home at the third bite of the cherry. Kudos to Connor Robson who had bravely saved the initial two attempts. Colls had maybe the best chance to win the game, Adams' imperious turn in the box was the evening's standout piece of skill but his cross-shot finish lacked direction. All in all the draw was the a fair result. Colls are back in friendly action on Saturday, when a Bolton Wanderers XI visit (3pm).
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Late goal sees Atherton Colls beaten at Chadderton
A late goal consigned Atherton Collieries to a narrow 2-1 defeat on the new bespoke 4G Andrew Street surface at Chadderton on Tuesday night. The first half saw the sides cancel each other out totally. Neither shot-stopper had a save of note to make, Kielen Adams having the best Collieries effort but his powerful header landed on the roof of the net. Advertisement Proceedings opened up significantly after the break and Michael Clegg's men soon took the lead. Adams finished clinically from just inside the box, the goal was no more than his performance deserved. This rallied the hosts and they got back on terms with 20 minutes left on the clock. Colls were a little dilatory in defence and were punished to the maximum. The second period had seen the usual pre-season player merry-go-round and two of the Colls replacements, Jack Dorney and Harry Brow,n had decent chances to win the game. Chaddy rode their luck and took the spoils with seconds left on the clock, the goal being 'route one' at its finest. Advertisement Colls assistant manager, Danny Lafferty, was more than satisfied with the team's run out against opposition who look destined to have a major punt at the NWCFL title. With their new opulent surroundings, Chadderton are definitely a football club on the rise. On Saturday, Colls visit Padiham for the third instalment of their mini Tour-de-Lancashire (2pm).
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LR battle to end honours even in Shakers friendly
LR's Harry Forshaw, right, in action against Bury. Picture by James Lobley Atherton LR kept up their 100-per-cent pre-season record with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Northern Premier League West side Bury on Saturday. The NWCFL Premier Division champions visited Crilly Park during last seasons pre-season which saw Alex Cherera volley home an 11th-minute goal to win the game for the Shakers a year ago. Advertisement This time the sides began with Bury holding most of the possession, however with a mix of trialists and first-team players, the opportunities did not take flight. Atherton LR fought their way back into the game and after 19 minutes the deadlock was broken. A defensive error allowed Cal Hunter to break down the wing and craft a deep run into the Bury box, eventually slotting the ball past Russell Saunders' far post. The quick start was a shock to the visitors who, despite controlling the game, had fallen behind and needed to respond quickly However, some brilliant defending by the Yellows fought off any chance Bury found and the teams entered the break with LR holding a narrow 1-0 lead. Advertisement The Shakers introduced their second-half XI, making major changes ahead of their reintroduction. Those changes were highlighted with the shift in tempo as Bury launched more chances towards Joe Bickerstaffe and his defensive line. The Shakers eventually found the net in the 77th minute, with Kai Evans finding a loose ball at the edge of the LR area, cutting inside and beating his man tp drill the ball home. The game was battled out until the final whistle with honours even. LR boss Dave Jones said: 'It was a good physical test for us against a good side. We knew it would be difficult and we would have to spend long times without the ball, but it's a good test and gives us a different sort of challenge than the other pre season games. Advertisement 'I'd like to personally thank Dave McNabb for bringing his side to us and all the Bury fans that travelled - it is not just a good exercise on the pitch it's also vital revenue for us off the pitch with a crowd of 530.' LR travel to Barnton on Tuesday for their third pre-season outing.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New boy Tom grabs late Atherton LR winner at Garstang
NWCFL Division One North champions Atherton LR began their 2025/26 pre-season with a hard-fought late 2-1 win against Garstang. Heading into the fixture, LR were keen to test out their five summer signings, including Josh Eccles (former Fleetwood Town Under-21 player), Kieran Nolan, Kieran Alley, Harry Forshaw and the latest addition, Tom Lawless. Advertisement The last fixture between the two sides came during the previous campaign where goals from Tom Romano, Akim Samms, Harvey Sample and Cristian Mukoko saw a dominant 4-0 win at the Riverside in the league last November. In this friendly, Garstang took a quick lead after only 10 minutes as a chopping challenge give the referee no choice but to point to the spot. It was trialist vs trialist as Garstang converted with a well-taken penalty to take an early lead. LR were quick to respond with a break down on the wing by Joe Bacon and a lofted low cross inside the box found a trialist who converted the chance only two minutes after falling behind. Advertisement Both teams battled out a tense game with chances aplenty. Garstang held out LR's cutting edge with the second-half introduction of Forshaw and Lawless providing great link-up play Keeping up with tradition, it was a late goal to separate the sides with another trialist providing a cut back to set up Lawless who curled in an 89th-minute winner to give the Yellows a win in their opening friendly. Boss Dave Jones said: 'It was good to get everyone minutes, that's the important bit it was a workout for us after a tough few weeks of training. 'There were some positive individual performances and plenty to keep on working on as we strive to improve all the time, so to come away with everyone getting good minutes and no injuries is a good start.' Advertisement LR's pre-season win against Garstang means Jones has maintained his 100-per-cent record against the club - with five games played over the last two seasons and all five won. Jones' side return to action on home soil at Crilly Park tomorrow when they host Northern Premier League West's Bury FC in their second pre-season friendly (2pm).
