Colne bowed out of the LFA Trophy on Tuesday night against a strong Atherton Collieries side that took full advantage of the Red's weakened team due to injuries. Colne were without several of their regular players and despite putting up a brave performance went down to a 4-0 defeat having very little luck along the way.
A bright spot on the night was the debut of 16 year old Regan Brown, who despite his age gave an outstanding performance in the back four making some great clearances against the experienced Collieries forwards.
Colne competed well in the opening stages but found themselves a goal behind after 18 minutes when Atherton took the lead in controversial circumstances with a 25 yard shot by Danny Lambert, whilst the Reds keeper Ewan McFarlane lay injured on the goal-line. Fortunately McFarlane was able to continue after lengthy treatment.
Colne battled hard looking for an equaliser with Olatunde Bayode and Sam O’Halleron leading the attack and Charlie Russell and Oli Roberts working hard in midfield. But with half time looming, a good build-up by the visitors found Ben Conway out on the right of the Colne penalty area and his blistering shot found the top corner of the Reds net to double Atherton’s lead at the interval.
As the second half began, McFarlane did well to dive at the feet of Matty Gillen in his penalty area to deny the visitors striker. But five minutes later, Elliot Rocca scored Atherton’s third goal with a shot into the bottom corner of the net after a run into the area. And on the hour, Atherton made it four when a corner was headed home at the far post by Dylan Glass in a crowded Colne penalty area.
Colne looked for a consolation goal, but a series of inviting crosses were cleared by a resolute Atherton defence and Anthony Williams saw his shot saved by the keeper after a good Reds build-up in the closing stages.
Colne F.C. Line Up:
McFarlane* / Brown / Pugh** / Turner / Winstanley / Williams / Roberts / O'Halleron / Russell*** / Bayode
Subs:
Webb-Foster / Dean** / Dodd*** / Dugdale / Burton*
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