Atherton Colls fall to 4-3 home defeat to Congleton Town

The game started with a frenetic pace and the hosts were quick to open the scoring, as Aaron Dwyer burst down the left hand side and found Kielen Adams who netted his first goal in the Stripes.

But that pace continued and the visitors responded within minutes as Max McCarthy was quickest to react to a smooth backheel from Ethan Hartshorn, firing past Sol Honor.

McCarthy secured his brace as half-time approached, outpacing both makeshift both Honor and centre-half Tom Bentham to a perfect long through-ball from Peter Williams, earning the freedom of the penalty box to slot into the empty net.

(Image: David Featherstone)

Colls responded immediately however, as Adams was played in behind by Pa Babou Jenkins and with Dwyer to his side, rifled a curled outside foot effort home on the volley.

The visitors started the second half red-hot as a rocket emerged from a pile of bodies and struck Honor’s crossbar with a little over five gone of the second half.

Colls restored their lead through the head of Calen Gallagher-Allison, a well taken Dwyer free-kick from just inside the Congleton half found the Black & Whites skipper, whose header floated across the penalty box and in at the far post.

(Image: David Featherstone)

The hosts continued to push, with new signings Dwyer, Harry Lewis and Joe Edwards combining with Adams to form an exciting front four, but however further chances just couldn't be taken as the visitors continued to push for an equaliser.

A set-piece ultimately began the Colls downfall in the 88th minute, as Peter Williams floated the ball to Thomas Hampton who powered his header past Honor.

Congleton then stole the full share of the spoils in the 94th minute, as George Sankey slotted home through a crowded penalty area from the edge of the box, celebrating with the healthy Bears following.

The Colls return to action with a trip to Widnes to face City of Liverpool next Saturday