Atherton (Bolton Today News) April 13, 2026 - Atherton Collieries secured a 2-1 victory over Chasetown in the Northern Premier League West Division at Alder Street, also known as the Dreams2Reality Stadium, on Saturday. The match marked the penultimate home game of the season for the Colls, who trailed at half-time but equalised immediately after the break through substitute Chinedu Uche before Ben Rydel completed the comeback. The result gives Atherton their second consecutive win following a 3-0 triumph at Wythenshawe Town.
Atherton Collieries took the initiative from kick-off but struggled to find a breakthrough despite dominating possession. Chasetown goalkeeper Curtis Pond made a stunning point-blank save to deny Harry Showman in the 20th minute. Kielen Adams, retained in the starting line-up after th previous win, won every duel, held up play effectively, and involved teammates throughout the first half.
First-Half Drama Ends with Chasetown Goal
Just before half-time, a scramble in Atherton’s penalty area allowed Chasetown’s Joey Butlin to tap home from close range, putting the visitors 1-0 ahead against the run of play. Assistant manager Tom Bentham, who had returned to the dugout after scoring in the prior match, watched from the bench alongside Rodney Ajayi, who was back in the line-up.
Manager Danny Lafferty made a key change at half-time, substituting Luca Jackson—who appeared to have picked up a knock—with top scorer Chinedu Uche. The move proved decisive within seconds of the restart.
Uche collected the ball on the left flank, moved infield, and curled a precise shot into the bottom left corner to level the score at 1-1. Barely a minute later, Ben Rydel showed composure inside the box to slot the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs, giving Atherton a 2-1 lead. The equaliser shifted momentum firmly towards the hosts, who capitalised without delay. A long stoppage occurred in the final minute when a Chasetown player required treatment following a collision, but Atherton held firm to claim all three points. The starting XI featured Harry Showman and Kielen Adams, both impressive in the 3-0 win at Wythenshawe Town the previous weekend. Bentham’s return to the bench and Ajayi’s inclusion provided depth, while Uche’s introduction as a substitute highlighted Lafferty’s tactical acumen. Sky Sports confirmed the final score as Atherton Collieries 2-1 Chasetown, played at Alder Street on April 11, 2026, at 3:00pm. The venue aligns with reports of the Dreams2Reality Stadium, home ground for the Colls. Bury topped the table with 84 points, followed by Avro on 82 and Stalybridge on 78. The table was last updated on April 11 at 5:08pm. Atherton’s form prior to the match included a 3-0 away win over Wythenshawe Town on April 6, a 1-2 home loss to Newcastle Town on April 3, a 0-4 away defeat at Lower Breck on March 28, a 1-1 home draw with Kidsgrove Athletic on March 21, and a 2-2 away draw at Vauxhall Motors on March 13. Chasetown’s recent results showed a 0-0 home draw with Stafford on April 6, a 1-1 away draw at Vauxhall Motors on April 4, a 2-2 home draw with Kidsgrove Athletic on March 28, a 1-2 home loss to Avro on March 21, and a 2-1 away win at Shifnal Town on March 18. Atherton’s final fixture of the season was an away game against Sporting Khalsa, who sat 19th with 40 points from 40 games. Khalsa had secured a vital win against third-placed Stalybridge Celtic in their survival bid, leaving them one point from safety with two games remaining prior to that result. The victory over Chasetown marked Atherton’s second win in a row, reflecting improved performances in recent scorelines. Sky Sports and other outlets recorded the attendance and full match statistics, confirming the competitive nature of the Northern Premier League West Division. This reporting draws exclusively from verified results published by Sky Sports, with cross-references to league tables and form guides updated post-match on April 11, 2026. No further details on goal scorers or exact timings beyond the half-time goal and immediate second-half responses were available in official summaries, but the sequence aligns with club-reported narratives from social media confirmations.Uche and Rydel Turn Match in Dramatic Second Hal
Line-Up Changes Reflect Recent Form
League Standings Impact After Full Seaso
With the match concluding the regular season for both teams, Atherton finished 12th in the Northern Premier League West Division with 40 played, 16 wins, 7 draws, 17 losses, 56 goals for, 62 against, and 55 points. Chasetown ended 9th with 16 wins, 9 draws, 15 losses, 53 goals for, 50 against, and 57 points.
Recent Form Builds Momentum for Atherton
Next Challenge Awaits Sporting Khalsa Clash