A fine day’s Work for Colls as they secure Cumbria win

A sensational goal by Oli Putnam capped off a great Easter Monday for Atherton Collieries as they beat Workington AFC 3-2.

Dylan Thompson, Ethan Beckford and Putnam put the visitors ahead before late goals from Steven Rigg and Reds goalkeeper James Atkinson gave the hosts late hope in the NPL Premier Division clash.

The game started on a sour note for the Colls as captain Lewis Mansell was forced off with an early injury and replaced by Putnam, forcing manager Dave Chadwick into an early change of shape.

But the first chance and goal would come just after the half-hour mark, as an in-swinging corner from Lewis Thompson was met by his namesake Dylan Thompson, who fired a bullet header past Atkinson in the Reds goal for a deserved lead.

The Colls were unlucky to be only 1-0 up going into the break as Enock Lusiama dispossessed Atkinson out wide and from around the corner flag hit a shot which the away fans behind the goal insisted had crossed the line to no avail.

Colls continued to see out the second half until just over an hour in, when central defender Jack Evans played an expert ball in behind which was capitalised upon by Ethan Beckford who, on his first start since arriving from Havant and Waterlooville, fired calmly past Atkinson to double the lead.

The best was yet to come as substitute Putnam dispossessed the Workington high line and within four touches lobbed the keeper from just inside the Workington half with 10 minutes left to play - an audacious goal which capped off a great performance after his early introduction.

But it being Atherton Collieries, it cannot be a simple 3-0 scoreline, as Workington substitute Rigg bundled over a cross which had struck both bar and post before falling to feet of the Reds midfielder.

Even 3-1 would have been a disservice to the Colls, but Reds keeper Atkinson came forward for a late corner to power a free header past Tom Donaghy in the Atherton goal and elevate the heart rates of the away fans in stoppage time.

But the young Colls side saw it through, and special mention must go to Liam Sheppard, who made his league debut at 16 years and 364 days old.