JORDAN Cover netted twice to earn Atherton Collieries a place in the FA Vase third round on a weekend when 1874 Northwich celebrated their fourth birthday.

Ben Hardcastle scored too for the visitors, who are also rivals of Ian Street’s side in a race for promotion from the North West Counties League’s top flight.

All the goals came after half time.

There had been little to choose between the teams in the opening period, during which shots from Ryan Jackson, Scott McGowan and substitute Rick Bailey all prompted Colls’ goalkeeper Adam Reid to make a save.

At the other end, Mark Truffas fired early attempts off-target before Ryan Mitchell’s perfectly-timed tackle ended full-back Gareth Peet’s run towards the hosts’ goal.

After the interval, McGowan’s free kick from distance again called Reid into action.

Vincent Bailey went close for Colls, who took the lead on 52 minutes when Cover shot with power past 1874 custodian Greg Hall after racing onto a long ball over his backline.

Cover then set up the second, which arrived seven minutes later, when he laid off for Hardcastle who drilled into the net after making room to shoot with clever foot-work.

1874 committed extra players to attack, introducing brothers Joe and Jack Woolley as substitutes, although their best chance did not arrive until three minutes from time when another McGowan attempt was blocked by Reid.

By then Cover had completed a personal double, Atherton’s third goal of the contest, when he was first to a loose ball after Hall had been equal to Truffas’ initial attempt.

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor (Jack Woolley 76), Russell, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell (Rick Bailey 10), Jackson (Joe Woolley 65), Matthew Woolley, Tom Bailey, McGowan, Jones Sub not used Lever

Colls | Reid (GK), Kenny, Peet, Messer, Forbes, Lafferty, Hardcastle, Cooke (Sherlock 76), Cover (Pickering 82), Vincent Bailey, Truffas Subs not used Sadler (GK), Grimshaw Goals Cover 52, 75 Hardcastle 59 Booked Cover, Cooke

Referee James Madine

Attendance 283

Match report by Garry Clarke