Battling Colls unlucky to lose against Wythenshawe
Two first-half strikes condemned the Stripes to a 2-1 NPL West defeat at a very rainy Dreams2Reality Stadium on Tuesday night against Wythenshawe.
It is no joke to say the club have forgotten what it is like to play at home in dry conditions!
The visitors were making their competitive bow in downtown Athy and had banished any away-day nerves within minutes of the kick off.
A pressured defensive header fell to Andy Keogh and he coolly took his time before caressing past Sol Honor.
It was a horror start for Colls but it did not get them down. They played some good football on a skiddy surface but were unable to breach a determined defence.
Kielen Adams had one cleared off the line and then seemed to hit the outside of the near post with another effort.
Moments before the break, The Ammies doubled their advantage. Danny Lambert mistimed a challenge just inside the far right-hand side of the area and even the most parochial Colls fan had to admit it was a penalty.
Honor saved Keogh’s timid spot-kick, but he subsequently gobbled up the rebound to spare his blushes.
According to reports, manager Michael Clegg was not a happy bunny in the interval and expected a positive reaction which he certainly got.
On 69 minutes the arrears were reduced. The excellent Ethan Kershaw pinpointed a cross on to the head of skipper Calen Gallagher-Allison who could not miss.
The game was ultra competitive throughout and cards were now being handed out like candy.
Tom Bentham was sent off with 10 minutes left on the clock. The ball went out in the overspill area next to the Wythenshawe dugout. A coach hung onto the ball for far too long and Bentham shoved him in a forlorn attempt to get it back. In the cold light of day, it was a little naive from the Colls striker but the ball juggler certainly got an assist for his gamesmanship.
Despite being a man shy, Colls tried to eke out a valuable point. Honor was ordered up field to add his height at corner and the Wythenshawe keeper made some good saves.
Unfortunately for the hosts, it was not to be as Wythenshawe rode out the storm to secure three vital points.
It meant they edged out of the final relegation place to be replaced by Colls, who just left themselves with too much to do.
The performance was not bad at all and despite the reversal, Clegg’s men will still go into Friday night’s game at Runcorn Linnets (7.45pm) with belief.
