A brace for Toby Nicoll and a Lewis Collins goal gave the Adders a commanding three goal lead at the break. 

The visitors came back in the second half with a dubious penalty and an unfortunate Connor Gudger own goal, but the Adders were able to hold on for the win. 

Next up for the Adders is a big game away against Boston Town in the FA Vase. 

Atherstone have really hit their stride in recent weeks, and have been picking up the wins that their performances have deserved. The two goal win away at Whitchurch on the previous Saturday was the latest impressive showing, even if it did result in a ban for the influential Tyreace Brown. 

Whilst the expectation was the Adders would be too strong for Tividale, memories were fresh of the late collapse against Stourport in the last home game. If the players minds were on that it didn’t show in a dominant first half. 

Atherstone went out the visitors from the get go, and it didn’t take them long to strike the opening goal. A long ball into the box was knocked down for Toby Nicoll to pick up and fire home low at close range. 

Nicoll has been a stand out player in the recent run of good form, and the goal was no less than his performances have deserved. Just minutes later it was two, as Lewis Noon delivered an excellent cross to the back post which was hammered home by Lewis Collins. 

It was yet another goal for Collins, who along with his strike partner Ryan Harkin caused the Tividale defence all sorts of problems with their tireless running. At the other end, Finn Osborn was called in action with a couple of smart saves as the visitors looked to work their way into the game. 

A third Adders goal arrived before half time, as a corner was worked short and whipped to the back post by Noon. Connor Gudger rose highest and his header was turned home by Nicoll for his second. 

Three up and in control at half time, the question for the second half was whether the Adders would hold what they had or continue to dominate and turn the screw for more goals. Tividale had different ideas however, and made the second half an uncomfortable one for the Adders faithful. 

Atherstone started the second half in the same fashion that they ended the first, with their foot on the gas and creating chances. Nicoll fired an effort over the bar as he looked to complete his hat trick. 

The visitors were handed a lifeline back into the game, when the referee pointed to the spot for a handball against Gudger which looked to be very harsh. Piggon sent Osborn the wrong way with his penalty and pulled a goal back for his side. 

Atherstone were not too shaken by the goal and continued to push for a goal to finish of the contest. Harkin did brilliantly to carve out a one on one chance only to see his low effort saved after a lung bursting run. 

With ten minutes remaining, Tividale got a very fortunate second as a cross from the right was inadvertently turned into his win net by the unlucky Gudger. The visitors suddenly had their tails up and it was set up for another nervy Atherstone finish to a game at home. 

Toby Bartram nearly added a fourth in the dying moments, but was unable to make the most of an excellent pass from Collins to set him up. The final whistle signalled that a hard fought three points had been secured, taking the Adders unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games. 

They will be hoping to make that eight games as they travel to Boston Town for a huge game in the FA Vase on Saturday 19th. The Vase has been a kind competition for the Adders in recent memory, and they be looking to continue another good run with a win on the road. 

The Adders faithful will be out in force again no doubt to back their team onto another positive result. Be sure to be part of the journey and carry on getting behind your Atherstone Town!