Goal fest sees Town climb to the top

The visitors started brightly and got off to the perfect start, going ahead in just the fifth minute. Jonesy played a short free kick in to Adzy who then sent a ball cross field to Randell who did well to shield it in to the path of the over lapping Ben Rodgers. The right back took a touch then delivered a sweet ball which was duly tucked home centre of goal by Matt Jackson.

The visitors had their first opening a few minutes later, but a well worked chance was blazed over the bar. With fifteen minutes played though the hosts did draw level, a shot from the right of centre was well saved by Ash, but the ball fell to the feet of a Hollinwood forward who from a tight angle made no mistake with the rebound.

The home side went close again shortly after, before Town had some chances of their own as Jacko had a shot defelcted wide and Gaz played a great ball right across the face of goal but out of reach of any final touch.

As the half hour mark approached, Town took the lead again. From a free kick just inside the opposition half, Adzy showed great vision and even better execution to pick out Sam Boydell with a floated ball, and Sam glanced a header past the oncoming 'keeper.

Five minutes later and Town had a great chance to extend their lead, Skippy intercepting a short free kick and breaking forward at pace. He released Jacko down the right as Town found themselves 3-on-1 but the frontman couldnt find either Gaz or Skippy in the area and the ball was cleared.

Hollinwood took full advantage of that missed opportunity a few minutes later as they once again levelled the scores. An opposition midfielder headed off on a mazy run, and passed a few Town players all too easily without a real challenge going in - and as he reached the area finished well past Ash to make it 2-2.

It took only five minutes before Town were in front once more, and it was a well worked goal. Heapy playing through to Boydell in midfield, Sam in turn finding Gaz who slid a pass into the path of Henoc who fired left footed past the keeper.

In the aftermath of the goal, Town were forced in to a change as Jacko went off with an injury, and on in his place came the returning Hensley Mills.

On the stroke of half time, Town managed to increase their lead and give themselves a cushion going in to the break. From a Hollinwood goal kick, Jonesy won the header and Skippy won posession in midfield. The ball broke to Henoc who's powerful shot from distance was tipped on to the bar and back in to play. Skippy had not given the ball up, and won it back with a superb tackle in the area before laying the ball off to Gaz who floated one to the far post for Nathan Randell to head home.

Half Time: Hollinwood FC 2 - 4 Atherton Town

In comparison to the first half, the first ten minutes or so of the second period was a fairly quiet affair, with the only real chances of note for either side one for Gaz Shaw who fired just wide and Hensley who went close with a cross-come-shot.

Town made their second change of the game with 57 minutes on the clock, as Connor Critchley was introduced in place of Henoc. It turned out to be an inspired change, as with his first touch of the ball a minute or two later, Critch scored! A free kick on the left was delivered to the far post by Sam where both Jonesy and Critch found themselves free - it was a bit high for Jonesy who ducked to give Critch a clear view and he powered his header in to the top corner.

It should have been another for Town shortly after after some good play from Hensley down the right, but some how from a few yards out Critch managed to only send his shot well wide - for a throw in, in fact!

With 25 minutes to play, Hollinwood were reduced to ten men, after it seemed one of their players had a few disagreements with the referees decisions, and took his complaints a little too far with some woeful accusations.

Town took full advantage and two minutes later grabbed their sixth of the game - the ball falling to Gaz Shaw 20 yards out, he turned and hit a first time shot that was out of the 'keepers reach in to the bottom corner.

There then followed the final change for Town, with Danny Kerr comming on for Nathan Randell.

Approaching the final ten minutes, Town seemed to lose a bit of tactical discipline, as they conceded two late sloppy goals to put a bit of flourish on the score line for the opposition that in all honesty was maybe kind on them.

Final Score: Hollinwood FC 4 - 6 Atherton Town

Man of the Match: Sam Boydell