Narrow Defeat At Bilston For The Atho - Lutterworth Athletic

Saturday 20th December 2025

Lutterworth Athletic were edged out 2-1 away at Bilston Town in a proper non-league encounter packed with action, controversy and battling spirit, but ultimately ended with the hosts taking all three points.

It was a fiery start to the contest with both sides showing early intent, however it was Bilston who struck first, capitalising on pressure to take the lead as the Atho were forced onto the back foot.

Things soon became even more difficult for Lutterworth as a red card reduced them to ten men midway through the first half, and Bilston took advantage to double their lead before the break, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Showing the character that has become a feature of recent performances, Atho regrouped after the interval, even having to navigate a further challenge with a sin-bin reducing numbers once again.

That fighting spirit was rewarded on 53 minutes when Ethan Flaig found the net, scoring his first goal for the club to halve the deficit and give Lutterworth real belief of a comeback.

With momentum building, the Atho pushed hard for an equaliser, asking questions of a Bilston side who sit firmly in the Play-Off places and came into the match full of confidence and form.

Despite sustained pressure and a committed performance right to the final whistle, a second goal couldn’t be found, and it was the hosts who managed the closing stages to secure the victory.

Next up for Lutterworth Athletic is our free-to-enter Boxing Day fixture at home against Coventry Copsewood, where the Atho will look to bounce back and turn battling performances into points.

GOALS

Ethan Flaig (53')

LINEUP

Logan Elliott

Bradley Coleman (89')

Elijah Kazimirow

Ethan Flaig

Connall O'Dwyer

Alex Webb (65')

Blake Kindred

Jamie Fuller

Abdul Bambah

Adam Shaw (C)

Sam Lockley

SUBS

Luke Merrall (65')

Lucas Stanley (89')

Alexandre Olen

Dylan Hayes

Phillip Weekes