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Rooney hits winner at United as Colls get off to a flying start

GOAL: Adam Rooney celebrates the winner. Pictures by David Featherstone
GOAL: Adam Rooney celebrates the winner. Pictures by David Featherstone

Atherton Collieries came from behind to record a 2-1 win against FC United in their opening Northern Premier League Premier Division fixture.

Goals from Aaron Smith and Adam Rooney completed an impressive turnaround after Max McCarthy had given the home side an early lead.

The game got off to a lively start on a sweltering afternoon at Broadhurst Park, the first chance of the game seeing Gaz Peet curl narrowly wide from a free-kick in a promising position.

United took the lead inside the first 10 minutes, an error in communication seeing Donahue nick the ball away from Nico Defreitas-Hansen, giving McCarthy a simple finish.

Colls’ response came almost immediately, Smith picking up the ball on the edge of the area and unleashing a low drive that struck the inside of the post and bounced across the line on 13 minutes.

A series of dangerous free-kick deliveries provided most of Colls’ threat throughout the first half, Jay Fitzmartin forcing a strong save from Lavercombe after the ball fell to him on the left-hand side.

It was a set-piece that gave Colls the advantage after the break, Fitzmartin’s whipped-in delivery met by the head of Rooney, whose looping effort dipped under the bar with his back to goal.

With Colls in the lead the result could easily have been more comfortable, Marcus Cusani intercepting a goal-kick on the hour mark, skipping past two challenges before firing agonisingly wide.

As the game crept into the final stages, United dominated possession as they pushed for an equaliser but the Colls back four sat deep and defended resolutely.

After a hefty amount of added time, the final whistle sparked celebrations among the travelling Colls faithful and players alike as the Black and Whites recorded the perfect start to their league campaign.

Colls are back onm home soil tonight when they host Stafford Rangers (7.45pm) and on Saturday, Hyde United are in Atherton (3pm).