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Atherton Collieries 1 - 0 Glossop NE

2/ 4/2008

FORMER Glossop defender Dave Conlon plotted the downfall of his former side as the Atherton Collieries boss had a hand in the 80th minute goal which gave his side victory on Monday.

Glossop had enjoyed the lion’s share of possession up until that point but struggled to turn it into chances, the best opportunity falling to Gareth Baker on 12 minutes when Rick Bailey’s drive from midfield turned the defence around.

Bailey laid the ball to Baker at the edge of the box and his quick shot forced a smart save low down from Bates.

Another former Glossop man, Andy Levendis, seemed on a mission to score against his ex-colleagues, curling a couple of shots wide in the first half.

Bailey was denied by Bates before Dave Young’s cross was missed by Baker at the near post and then by Trucca at the far post.

Bates enjoyed some good fortune during the second half when a backpass fell short, forcing the keeper to race Westmerland for the ball.

Although the Glossop man got his toe to the ball first, Bates was outside the area and dived feet first, ending up sitting on the ball.

It broke loose to Baker and Bailey but neither could get a shot away, the former then heading wide when he ought to have hit the target.

The winning goal proved to be a sucker punch when North End’s corner was booted upfield by Conlon, putting Morris in a race with Hollin who tried to be too clever rather than clear the ball.

He lost possession, allowing Morris to advance, and his effort squirted underneath Fielding, allowing Shannon to tap home from a yard out as Colls held out despite six minutes of injury time.