The Reds will look to claim their third successive First Division Trophy success when they take on Atherton Collieries this Monday evening.

Taking place at Valley Road, the home of Flixton FC, the Reds will look for a repeat of the victory they achieved there when they beat Cheadle Town to win last season’s competition.

To reach this season’s final AFC Liverpool needed penalties to overcome Norton United in the quarter final, with Rob Lamont scoring a 120th minute equaliser to keep them in the tie. They followed that up with an impressive 2-1 away win to First Division champions AFC Blackpool two days later with Shaun Gardner netting a double to continue the Reds impressive record of never having lost a game in the competition.

Atherton Collieries have played four matches to reach the final, starting with a 1-0 defeat of Oldham Boro back in October and that was followed up with an 4-1 extra time win over Daisy Hill in January. Like the Reds they needed penalties to overcome Staffordshire opponents in the quarter finals as they got past Leek CSOB to set up an away semi final tie to Irlam. Two goals from Paul Atherton and one from Simon Howard were enough to book the Colls’ first appearance in the First Division Trophy final since their only other final back in 1992 when they lost to Newcastle Town.

With the two league fixture between the two sides this season having both ended 1-1, there is little to differentiate between them in what promises to be an enthralling final. If you want to come along and give your support to Paul Moore’s team, the details are:

AFC Liverpool v Atherton Collieries
Date: 9th May 2011
Kick Off: 7.45pm
Venue: Valley Road, Flixton, Manchester, M41 8RQ
Admission: Adults £5, Concessions £3
Programmes £1-50

Photo courtesy of Dave Williams