FA Vase

Had the choice of three games today at Lancaster, Darwen or my final choice of Atherton Colliries. Darwen's game fell foul of the weather, didn't fancy watching now cash rich Salford at Lancaster on the grounds that teams with extremely wealthy backers tend to ruin lower leagues so it was off to Greater Manchester. 
Collieries had not lost a game all season only going out of the FA Cup on penalties against Radcliffe. Visitors Seaham Red Star were also on a hot vein of form and had been scoring goals for fun in their league.
Games against non league opponents from the North East are always competitive as this proved no exception. Collieries dominated the majority of the first half and the only surprise was they were not four down by half time, as early as the third minutes Red Star missed a glaring chance when Andrews failed to hit the target from close range. Colls played some gpood football but were ;let down by the final ball, whereas when Red Star went forward they looked dangerous every time. Colls playing down the slope in the first half looked to have some very useful players Battersby up front looked to have tons of skill. Red Star forced Taberner into two good saves before taking the lead from a penalty on 28 minutes, a thoroughly decent hacking down of a visitor brought a spot kick and Andrews scored. Before half time they worked another really good opening but missed that at well.
Colls started well in the second half as the manager obviously had a few words to say at the break and finally brought a save from Seaham keeper Newbrook, but the early onslaught soon fizzled out as Red Star's more experienced team started to pose more of a threat. A long ball down field caused chaos in the home defence and Palmer's classy finish made it two.
Within four minutes it was game on as substitute Cover squeezed the ball home from close range. Newbrook pulled off a cracking save under the bar to keep the visitors in front. It was the closest Colls got as Red Star kept the ball down in and and around the home penalty area in the final 10 minutes to earn them progress through to the next round.

Atherton Colliries 1 Seaham Red Star 2 Att 230

http://youtu.be/d18jsEq9Q3A


http://youtu.be/Y8S97-Qvs4s