Match Report

Flixton FC 4-2 Atherton LR

Macron Cup | Valley Road Stadium

We booked our place in the third round of the Macron Cup with a 4-2 victory over Atherton LR at Valley Road.

The tie was replayed after the original fixture was abandoned due to heavy rain and an unplayable surface, and this time we made sure of our place in the next round with a strong attacking performance.

We took the lead after 14 minutes following good work from Kieron Molloy. His cross into the box caused problems for the Atherton defence, with a defender turning the ball into his own net to put us 1-0 ahead.

The visitors responded on 32 minutes through Harvey Hampson to bring the scores level.

We regained the lead right at the end of the first half. In stoppage time, Uche Chinosho Eze found the net to put us 2-1 ahead, with the referee blowing for half-time shortly afterwards.

Atherton responded almost immediately after the restart, with Cal Hunter scoring in the 47th minute to make it 2-2.

The game remained level for just over ten minutes before substitute Lewis-Simon Byrne restored our advantage on 59 minutes, putting us 3-2 ahead.

The result was finally put beyond doubt in the 87th minute when Benni Smales-Braithwaite, who had also come off the bench, added our fourth to complete a 4-2 victory and secure our place in the next round.

Lewis-Simon Byrne was named Man of the Match after making a huge impact from the bench. He was a constant threat, creating numerous chances before getting the goal his performance deserved, smashing a superb volley into the roof of the net to put us 3-2 ahead.

He then played his part in the fourth, delivering the cross for Benni Smales-Braithwaite to finish and put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.

Team News

Starting XI:
Matthew Hammett, Louis Holden, William Calligan, Paul Riley, Jacob Ngoy (C), Jordan Butterworth, Kieron Molloy, Isaac Graham, Uche Chinosho Eze, Aaron Dwyer, Collins Tanor.

Substitutes:
Milan Lalkovic, Lewis-Simon Byrne, Benni Smales-Braithwaite, Hilal Khan, Ashley Cata.

Match Statistics

The numbers reflected an attacking performance as we created significantly more opportunities than the visitors:

• 18 total attempts

• 8 attempts from inside the box

• 10 corners

• 387 total passes

• 267 successful passes

• 69% pass accuracy

• 57 successful forward passes

• 30 dribbles

• 16 tackles

• 41 interceptions

Atherton edged possession 52% to 48%, but we made much more of our opportunities, scoring four times from our 18 attempts compared with their two from six.

Looking Ahead

Our attention now turns back to NWCFL First Division North action as we return to Valley Road on Saturday to face Ashton Athletic.

We’ll be looking to carry the momentum from this cup victory back into the league and pick up another three points on home soil.

Flixton vs Ashton Athletic
Saturday 31st October 2026
3:00pm KO
Valley Road, M41 8RQ

Our Macron Cup campaign then continues later in November, when we welcome Nelson FC to Valley Road in the third round on Saturday 21st November, with a 3:00pm kick-off.