Atherton manager elated after Colls secure survival

Cooke’s side drew 3-3 at already-relegated Stalybridge Celtic. They went into the game knowing a point would be enough.

But going into the final 10 minutes, they trailed 3-2 at Bower Fold. News also spread that Nantwich Town were 2-1 in front against Radcliffe. The combination of these two results meant the Colls were down.

However, Marcus Cusani popped up and claimed the leveller for Atherton, and they managed to hold on and secure their NPL Premier Division status.

“If you were a neutral, it was a great 90 minutes,” he said.

“But for us on that sideline, and the lads on the pitch, I don’t think I’ve ever felt like that.

“The club has had a hell of a lot of success over the years, won trophies, won promotions and stuff. But I don’t think there will be a feeling of elation as much as the final whistle there.

“It wasn’t the greatest performance. We scored after a couple of minutes, and I thought after that, we went into our shell a little bit.

“You look at today, Ben Hardcastle who scored the first, Gaz Peet who scored the second, and then Cusani. They will go down as Colls legends, and rightly so.”

Picture Credit: Atherton Collieries