26th December 2016 - Atherton Collieries 2 v 1 New Mills FC - Today we three herberts traveled from the south to enjoy some festive football in nearby Atherton. As per, we were at the ground in good time and partook of tea and chocolate to help stave off the cheeky choppers of the cutting breeze. The sun was low, the pitch looking well worn with today's encounter taking place between a side on the up and a side floundering in the depths. I had suspicions who would triumph but am wise enough to keep my predictions to myself rather than make a complete tit of myself.
The game got underway in front of a gathering of 187 hardy punters and the initial play was hit and miss to say the least with The Millers shout for a foul just outside the box overlooked and the Collieries No 9 connecting with a cross but failing to find the nearby target. New Mills seemed to be searching out their recent acquisition and well traveled forward Nathan Neequaye who is always a menace and runs his socks off like a spirited champion. Atherton on the other hand looked to play some football and weave an opening but the away team were up for a spoiler today and made things rather difficult for their opponents. Suddenly, as I altered my position out of the solar glare, a Millers breakaway came, a thwack of the bag of wind ensued and it was with great surprise that I saw the net ripple and the game was put right up on its unpredictable head. Great stuff and applause for the grandly named Dylan Stringer-Moth who grabbed the goal in fine style. May I politely add at this point that, as a naturalist, moths are ruddy great! Within seconds of this goal the Colls could have been on equal terms but a case of weak finishing and good keeping kept the game in favor of the Millers which, if I am being fair, was just as well.
The home team now grew into the game, probed with greater effect and looked to get back to all things square. Unbelievably the equaliser came but from a deflection outside the box that fell at the tootsies of the Col's No 9 (Mark Battersby) who rounded the sprawling keeper and sweetly slotted home the ball with cucumber cool quality. The game now became a scrapyard affair with perhaps sway just falling the way of the home chaps who appeared to have a few extra gears to move through. New Mills were holding their own though and if it wasn't for the alertness of the home squads No 2 (Jake Kenny) they may have found a way to goal and perhaps sneaked a needy bonus. Both sides worked hard and didn't deserve to have an unnecessary leakage at this point in the match however Mills had a half chance come their way after a pass by the Atherton lads was sent awry and the ball was collared, deflected and looked all set to pose severe problems only for the firm-mitted keeper to snuff out any possible threat. The half was now drawing to a close and New Mills seemed to be panicking and looking to go in to the changing room all square. Defensive mistakes from the Mills Men came in quick succession as the play was rushed and a solid clearance wasn't made. As a consequence of this unsettled period a ball came back into the danger zone and fell once more at the feet of the nippy No 9 who, yet again, rounded the keeper and slid the ball home with icy precision - a kick in the guts for the travelling team for sure and one that proved decisive as the first half ended.
More tea, a wander to the far side where my lasses took a seat and I remained on my feet.
Half two and the opening minutes saw New Mills find the net but an alleged foul was spotted and the goal was disallowed. Dubious to say the least but in these days of almost contact free soccer these things are justified. Another untidy period came, Mills were hanging in but needed a razor cut move to get back on par. Atherton now had one or two players turning on the class with 7 and 9 looking effective and liable to cultivate an opening. Having said this the game remained an ugly creation which of course played into the hands of the visitors who had one or two further moments that just whispered promise. The potential though was nearly all lost as the Millers nearly pissed on their own chips when a defender kicked air that allowed the sharp and ready substitute to steal in and shoot! Thankfully for the lads in red the ball whizzed over. The screw though seemed to be turning, would a bout of pain manifest itself? It could have done when a shot flew goalward but the keeper tipped over and made sure the Kensite Crew still had only 2 goals to their credit. I still felt the result was up in the air and when New Mills won a penalty that thought was reaffirmed and I wondered what the last minutes of the match would bring if the spot kick was converted. I needn't have worried as the well taken kick was wonderfully saved and Mills were delivered a real crippling blow to the chances of getting anything from the match. Give the team their due, their heads didn't drop and they pushed on with gusto but just couldn't cultivate that opening they richly deserved. Atherton did well at the back and just that extra composure took them to the final whistle and that welcome land of 3 points. Man of the Match today was tricky but I am going for the No 2 (Jake Kenny) of Atherton Collieries who put in a good stint, read the game well and did enough when it mattered to keep his team in it. An understated performance that wasn't perfect (what is) but was worthy of acknowledgement!
FINAL THOUGHT - Today was a case of two teams getting out their Christmas shovels and digging mighty deep to try and gain a foothold of this sticky game. The wind, low sun, heavy pitch and perhaps, beer in the belly and turkey in the tum didn't help matters but as it proved the home squad just had that little extra heave ho that won all the points and sent away their visitors quite disappointed after a messy affair that could have gone either way. I said to the visiting netman after the match that his team will not go down if they continue like this - fingers crossed I don't end up twat of the month for that prediction. As for Atherton, not a great performance today but, on paper, they seem like genuine contenders and I wish them all the best for the rest of the season.
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