The Dabbers are at home once more this Saturday (3pm kick-off) as we prepare to face Atherton Collieries. Our preview, including words from manager Ritchie Sutton, looks ahead to this big clash.
Message from the Manager
We got a quick word with manager Ritchie Sutton, who had this to say ahead of a busy and important run of home games:
“We’re all really grateful for the backing we’ve had this season, and with 8 of our remaining 14 games being at home, we’d love your support for the club and the players coming in to this crucial period of the season.
Come down and support the lads, be that 12th man. We’re all doing everything we can behind the scenes to ensure this fantastic club grows to its potential and your support can be a massive part of that by coming along on a matchday.”
Tickets, as always, can be brought online HERE, as well as on the gate. Tickets for all our remaining home games are also on that website if you want to plan ahead and answer Ritchie’s call!
An-Ather Brick In The Wall
Atherton haven’t won in their last 5 league games, 3 of them being 1-1 draws coupled with defeats to Guiseley and South Shields. They’ve only scored more than 1 goal twice in their last 11 games, and one of those was a 6-0 win over lower-ranked West Didsbury in the Lancashire Cup. They are the second lowest scorers in the division.
This lack of goals has seen them get kept near the wrong end of the table, 3 points outside the relegation places in 16th.
Last Time Out
The away trip in September was during Ritchie Sutton’s interim period as manager, and finished 2-0 to Atherton courtesy of 2 goals in 6 minutes from Scott Bakkor and Marcus Cusani. The goals are available to watch below (courtesy of Atherton’s YouTube).
Players to Watch
That Bakkor goal was 1 of 7 he’s got this season to be the Colls’ top scorer, as well as making the most appearances for them of anyone so far this term (29). The familiar name of Ben Hardcastle is back at Atherton after signing from Ashton and has made 3 appearances so far to add to his nearly 300 that he made in his first spell at the club. Their goalkeeper will be different to who we’ve faced previously too, with Wigan loanee Owen Mooney currently between the posts.