ATHERTON Collieries picked up a statement 2-1 victory on the road at Hednesford Town, with a resilient and gritty performance despite being under the cosh and reduced to ten men for the second half, writes Rob Clarke.

Manager Michael Clegg spoke after the game of his pride in the teams’ performance, which came with the Collieries still experimenting in the search for their strongest shape and eleven.

Midfielders Will Riding and Pa Babou Jenkins both returned to the starting lineup, alongside Tom Bentham who partnered Kielen Adams for the first time. The Black and Whites also experimented with a switch in the offensive and defensive duties of Bobby Bjork and Josh Solomon-Davies on the right flank.

Although the bookmakers will surely have given the Collieries slim odds against the affluent Pitmen and their Football League standard facilities, there was very little to separate the two sides in the first half, with both teams probing and the game reduced to half chances at best.

The hosts took the lead through Jack Bearne with the first truly dangerous attack of the game on the forty minute mark.

Although the Collieries generally held firm against the physical set piece threat of the Pitmen throughout, sustained pressure following a corner allowed the Whites winger a rare slither of opportunity to powerfully volley home.

The Collieries immediately responded however, going on the front foot following the resumption of play and quickly being awarded a penalty following a succession of heavy tackles on Babs Jenkins from Oliver Harrison and Elliot Johnson.

With the Black and Whites awarded their first spot kick off the season, player/ assistant manager Tom Bentham stepped up to duly convert, celebrating his 35th goal for the club with the small but vocal pocket of traveling supporters.

With the hosts shooting towards their vociferous home faithful for the second half, the dynamic of the game certainly changed following the interval, with the Collieries happy to adopt a backs-to-the-wall approach to fight for the result, and this siege mentality was only solidified following the dismissal of Bobby Bjork.

The Collieries defender was first booked early in the second half following a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge against a Hednesford attacker in what some may have seen as a crowd-pleasing decision from the referee, but there were certainly no complaints as he picked up a second yellow minutes later for a scything challenge.

Tom Bentham soon made way for Max Bardsley-Rowe to allow the Collieries to maintain their shape, whilst Alfie Belcher reinforced the midfield.

Although the possession and momentum for the second half were certainly comfortably in the hosts favour, the Colls defence remained firm and reduced the visitors to a minimal amount of truly dangerous opportunities, with Belcher, Bardsley-Rowe and Lewis Rawsthorn offering the counter attacking outlet.

On the stroke of the 90th minute, it was a Hednesford set piece that allowed the Collieries the incisive breakaway. Winger Max Bardsley-Rowe was on hand to outmuscle and outpace the Pitmen defence following a comfortably defended corner, creating a 3-versus-1 opportunity and offloading to Babs Jenkins.

The midfielder picked out Alfie Belcher with the freedom of the penalty box to slot home, with the Colls subs and management staff joining the players on the pitch in celebration.

Despite the late goal, the Collieries still has work to do with eight added minutes due to an injury to keeper Solomon Honor, who again also had a fantastic game, but the defence and midfield held firm to nullify any Hednesford threat.

The travelling faithful and Michael Clegg's men celebrated as one upon the final whistle, although attentions and focus will now quickly turn to Saturday clash with Congleton at the Dreams2Reality Stadium, as the Black and Whites aim to build upon a fantastic four points from their last two games.