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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
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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
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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).
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atherton LR ready to go again after their historic treble season
History was made last season for Atherton Laburnum Rovers. Five years ago, the club was a week away from being suspended from the league, but the recent campaign saw them secure not only the Edward Case Cup, but the Champions Cup and the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) Division One North title - securing LR's first ever treble and a return to the Premier Division for the first time in nearly 15 years. Advertisement Not many 25-year-old's have that on their managerial CV, but David Jones, who led the team to glory not only in the league, also had LR three games away from Wembley in the Isuzu FA Vase, falling where short to Bourne Town in the Round of 16 as the last northern team left in the competition. With all the success from last season fully enjoyed, everyone is now looking ahead to a year of new challenges, further away days and a chance for boss Jones to prove himself in a higher division. LR will enter the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup this year for the first time in 15 years - the Yellows have not had the best history in the competition with their furthest progression being the Third Qualifying Round in 1996, beating sides like Liversedge, Ilkeston and Curzon Ashton before eventually falling to Bamber Bridge in a replay. Jones has, however, enjoyed lengthy cup runs so far with LR in the FA Vase 2024/25 and Edward Case Cup last season, so an FA Cup run is not out of the question. Advertisement But before then there is work today with the squad and staff. Over the summer, LR said goodbye to two coaches, Michael Moran and Gareth Flitcroft, whose efforts in the 2024/25 season and prior helped in the restructure of the first team and they both excelled at the club. Jones said: 'Mick stepped away due to more work commitments, and going up a league means more games so that means more strain on him. 'Gaz has been outstanding for the last two years, leading a lot of the coaching, and just being fantastic for us. 'He has had the opportunity to take more hours at Stockport County which is brilliant for him and his personal progression. Advertisement 'We would like to thank Gaz and Mick for their outstanding hard work, commitment and playing a huge part in our success over the last two seasons.' LR recently confirmed the replacements for the coaching pair in the shape of former Southport coach, Simon Beswick, and ex-Glossop North End assistant manager, Lew Sumner. The pair arrive to the club with a heap of experience, especially in the art of promotion with Sumner working with Jones during the pair's stint at Bootle Under-21s. With the arrivals and departures of staff, there have also been a rake of departures from the first team, most notably Ryan Talbot, whose goals in the FA Vase last campaign were crucial in LR's advances, and young star Cristian Mukoko Advertisement Jones added: 'We have to keep moving forward. 'Every player from last season will forever be remembered here, that's for sure. 'Players coming in, we're looking at four or five really and that'll be it. 'Looking at ourselves over the last two years, we're built on stability, hard work and togetherness and we plan on continuing that trend.' After winning the title, and with it promotion alongside play-off winners Euxton Villa, LR will be playing in the NWCFL Premier Division in 2025/26 - Step Five of the non-league pyramid. The newest league format will see LR play 46 games across the season with 24 teams, including two national cup competitions and two domestic cups, which will certainly be a challenge the team will need to overcome. Advertisement Most fans have given a bold prediction of a top-half finish by LR, but Jones gave a less restrictive view on the matter. He said: 'I have no expectations, there's no need for them really. 'We've been fantastic for the last two years to achieve this and we'll just keep the mentality of striving to be the best we can. 'There are no expectations of where we'll finish or how far we'll go in the cups, it's just a case of let's see where we go, roll up our sleeves and see where it takes us.' The league campaign will start on Saturday, July 26 with the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round taking place a week later on August 2.
