Atherton Colls stage late comeback to win at Marske United

Jay Fitzmartin’s strike deep into stoppage time saw Colls snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, with Brad Cooke’s side having trailed the game until the 90th minute.

Colls made a wobbly start on the seaside, slipping to a first-half deficit thanks to two early strikes from Jason Kennedy and Adam Boyes inside the opening twenty five minutes.

The game could have been further out of reach but for a superb diving save from Nico Defreitas-Hansen in the Colls goal, denying Olly Green moments before the second goal.

A thunderbolt from Marcus Cusani gave Colls a much-needed lifeline, the winger running with the ball through the centre of the park before firing in a 30-yard blockbuster crashed in off the bar.

Either due to injury or a bold tactical tweak, Brad Cooke waited just half an hour to turn to his bench, with Joel Amado and Aaron Smith both entering the fray in a first-half double substitution.

Despite reducing the Seasiders’ advantage, Colls still looked second best to the home side after the break, with Donald Chimalio’s effort off the bar the closest the hosts came to extending their lead.

It wasn’t until the 90th minute that a late foray forwards saw substitute Jay Fitzmartin’s cross smuggled home from close-range by Scott Bakkor, the late equaliser sending the travelling Colls faithful into raptures.

With Colls already celebrating an unlikely draw, a golden chance presented itself in the dying seconds, Jay Fitzmartin stealing the ball from Catterick in the Marske goal and slotting home an unbelievable winner.

Colls are next in action on Saturday, 12 November as they welcome Bamber Bridge to the Skuna Stadium. Kick off 3pm.