FA Cup 1st Round Qualifying
Northwich Vics 2–3 Atherton Collieries
Apec Taxis Stadium, Runcorn — Saturday, 5 September 2026

LINE-UP Vics’ -
Mendes, Lawson ( Hamm 89’), Jackson L, Keogh, Coughlan, Atkinson (Bentley 77’), Clarke, Tanswell (Nugent 63’), Lloyd ( Ferry 58’), Duckworth, Rokka ( Jackson R 61’)

Goals : Northwich Vics : Lloyd 45’, Duckworth 60’
: Atherton Colls : Uche 57’ (Pen), Forshaw 84’, Adam 90+1’

Northwich Vics suffered late heartbreak at the Apec Taxis Stadium as Atherton Collieries came from behind to snatch a dramatic 3–2 victory in a pulsating FA Cup first-round qualifying tie.
After leading twice and appearing on course for another memorable cup victory, Vics were eventually undone by a determined Collieries side who produced a strong second-half performance and, on balance, deserved their passage into the next round.

It was almost a dream start for Vics. With barely a minute on the clock, Ryan Atkinson raced down the right and delivered a dangerous cross into the box, where Will Lloyd met it with a first-time effort that crashed back off the post.
The game was then held up for around six minutes following a worrying incident involving Atherton goalkeeper Harvey Bardsley. The keeper bravely dived at the feet of Atkinson to claim the ball but took a knock to the head in the process. Looking dazed as he left the field, Bardsley was replaced in goal by outfield player Sam Sheridan. Everyone at Northwich Vics wishes Harvey a speedy recovery.
Vics continued to threaten and thought they had a strong claim for a penalty in the 19th minute. Elliot Rokka cut the ball back for Atkinson, whose shot was well saved by Sheridan, before the Vics man was brought down. It looked a stonewall spot-kick, but the referee waved play on. Five minutes later, Vics missed an extraordinary opportunity to take the lead. A quick attack down the left saw Tanswell's effort blocked, but the ball fell invitingly to Rokka with an open net in front of him. Somehow, his effort sailed high over the bar. Rokka then saw another effort saved by Sheridan's legs, while at the other end Lee Jackson produced a superb last-ditch challenge to deny Collieries from close range. The visitors began to threaten more as the half progressed, but it was Vics who struck first. In the 44th minute, a well-worked move earned Vics a corner. The delivery was sent towards the far post, where Lloyd rose like a salmon to power a header into the net and give Vics a deserved lead at the interval.

Half-time: Northwich Vics 1–0 Atherton Collieries

Vics nearly doubled their advantage early in the second half when Lloyd fired narrowly wide with Sheridan beaten. However, Collieries were beginning to turn the screw. They pushed Vics deeper and applied almost constant pressure to the home defence. The equaliser duly arrived in the 57th minute. Potts was brought down inside the Vics penalty area as Northwich struggled to clear their lines, leaving the referee with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Uche stepped up and, although Mendes got both hands to the penalty, the ball agonisingly spun back over the goal-line to make it 1–1.
Vics responded in the best possible fashion. Just three minutes later, Joe Duckworth pounced on a defensive mix-up, lifting the ball coolly over the sprawling Sheridan and into the net to restore Vics' lead.
But Collieries refused to buckle. Mendes produced an excellent save to deny Sheppard, before Andy Keogh threw himself in the way of the follow-up to make another crucial block. As the second half wore on, however, Vics began to look increasingly weary. After a busy month which had seen the side play ten matches, the legs were understandably beginning to tire, while possession became increasingly difficult to retain as the visitors continued to press. The pressure eventually told in the 83rd minute when Harry Forshaw nicked in and finished well to bring Collieries level once again.
With a replay looming, there was still one final twist. In the 90th minute, Adams found himself one-on-one with Mendes. The Vics goalkeeper was unable to prevent the forward from rounding him, and Adams calmly slotted the ball into the empty net to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Full-time: Northwich Vics 2–3 Atherton Collieries

It was a cruel way for Vics to exit the FA Cup after twice holding the lead, but ultimately this was one game too far for a Northwich side that looked weary after their demanding schedule.
Credit must also go to Atherton Collieries, who protected their stand-in goalkeeper superbly after Bardsley's early injury. Vics created opportunities but perhaps did not test Sheridan as often as they might have done, and the visitors' second-half pressure eventually earned them their reward.
For Vics, there was plenty to admire in a spirited performance, but the final whistle brought the end of another pulsating cup adventure.

Next Match
FA Vase
Darwen FC v Northwich Vics
Saturday, 12 September 2026 — 3.00pm