Dinno out of Cup for another year

FA Cup

Dinnington Town 0

Atherton Collieries 2

Town suffered an agonising FA Cup defeat in the extra preliminary round against North West Counties opponents Atherton Collieries.

The home side started brightly and should have scored in the first minute when a fine run by fullback Smith produced a chance for Ant Lynham, but a goal line scramble by the visitors prevented an ideal start for Town.

Atherton then came more into the game and started to dominate the play with striker Gary Burnett a constant threat to the home side with his pace and good close control. Town had a further chance to take the lead just before half time when Smith and Lynham combined again to produce a good save from the visiting keeper.

Atherton attacked after the break and Town keeper Nick Preston needed to make a good save to keep them at bay.

Tom Fairweather made a typical driving run on the hour mark but his shot was off target.

The visitors then started to dominate play and took the lead minutes later when Gary Burnett evaded a number of tackles to slot the ball home.

Town pressed forward looking for an equaliser but their best chances came from set pieces which were well dealt with by the Collieries defence.

Gaps started to appear in the home defence and Atherton scored a deserved second goal two minutes from time when Paul Prescott broke clear to finish off the game.

Dinnington: Preston, Smith, Sykes, Rosser, Ramsden, Mirfin, Jamie Roper, Allott, Lynham, John Roper, Khutsishvili.