It was a strange prospect of a game on Saturday afternoon, facing the same opposition for the second week in a row and in a home game away from home. Neighbours Coton Green were kind enough to share their ground with the Adders allowing the fixture to be fulfilled.

Lasts weeks defeat was a first in the league for Mitch Thomson and his team, and the result could have very different had Atherstone been able to take their chances. On this occasion, the Adders did not squander their opportunities and put on a show for their fans.

Atherstone were on the front foot from the off, with Lewis Noon stinging the goalkeepers palms with two rasping early drives. The early pressure would pay off, as Lewis Collins was able to lob an excellent ball over the Highgate defence that Ryan Quinn ran onto and dispatched excellently across goal into the bottom corner.

It was no less than the Adders had deserved after a bright start, but Highgate responded well and enjoyed a period of pressure of their own. The Adders back line stood strong, with the blossoming partnership of Callum Rudd and Jack Wells limiting the visitors clear cut chances.

Atherstone created more chances before half time, with Jamie Spiers going close with a flicked header. Going into half time, the Adders could be pleased with their performance but knew they would need to stay on it in the second half to secure the win.

In the second 45, the Adders found another gear and put the game well and truly to bed. Richard Blythe and Gabe Webster gave Atherstone control in the middle of the park, and they turned that control into chances and goals.

The second goal arrived as a counter attacking move resulted in Josh Steele founding space on the left hand side and whipping an inviting ball into the box. Tom Smith was the man on hand to turn the cross home with a smart low finish.

The third goal came via a howler of an error from the visitors keeper, who left his box to clear a ball long ball but not far enough. The loose ball ended up at the feet of Spiers who curled a long range effort into the back of the net despite the keepers best efforts.

Atherstone made changes to maintain their control late on, and those substitutes combined in an excellent move for the final goal. Breaking from a set piece Jes Adcock worked a ball forward to Reece Massey who found an excellent pass to put Nathan McGarrity in one on one. McGarrity made no mistakes with the finish, scoring his first Atherstone goal with a composed finish into the bottom corner.

That would the final action of a fantastic day for the Adders, who celebrated with their fans after a performance that only put right last weeks defeat, but sent a message to the rest of the league going into a key stage of the season. Cancellations in recent weeks means that fixtures will come thick and fast over the next couple of weeks, and momentum will now be key.

The Adders will look to continue their momentum as they travel to face Uttoxeter Town on Tuesday 6th February. That will be followed up by a fixture again Whitchurch Alport on Saturday 10th that the club to be making an announcement about shortly.

Thanks must again go to Coton Green who were extremely accommodating to allow Saturdays game to go ahead. The Adders took advantage of the opportunity and will now look to ride the momentum of the result into the coming weeks.