REPORT: Atho 5-1 Bilston Town - Lutterworth Athletic

Lutterworth Athletic 5-1 Bilston Town

Saturday 11th April 2026

Lutterworth Athletic ended their home league campaign in style, producing a superb performance to defeat Bilston Town 5–1 in their final appearance of the season at Ausden Clark Arena.

Following an entertaining 3–2 away win at Coventry Copsewood on Easter Monday, Dan Carter made three changes to the starting XI, with AJ Young coming in to start in goal whilst Adam Shaw and Luke Merrall returned.

Despite Atho creating plenty of early opportunities, it was the visitors who struck first, taking the lead on 13 minutes.

With a strong wind playing a major role throughout the contest, Lutterworth continued to push forward and were rewarded with a deserved equaliser in the 31st minute.

A pinpoint chipped cross from Adam Shaw found Luke Merrall, who headed home from close range to bring Atho level and swing the momentum back towards the hosts.

Just five minutes later, Lutterworth completed the turnaround.

Shaw, already the provider for the equaliser, capped off a strong first-half performance with a tidy finish beyond the Bilston goalkeeper to make it 2–1 on 36 minutes.

Atho had further chances from set pieces to extend the lead before the break, but went into half-time two goals to the good.

Despite paying against the wind in the second half, Lutterworth remained organised and largely controlled proceedings, continuing to look the more threatening side.

Their pressure paid off in the 71st minute when a corner delivery found the head of Ethan Flaig, who nodded home to make it 3–1.

Bilston came close to reducing the deficit when a strike from their forward crashed against the crossbar on 79 minutes, but Atho responded strongly and ensured there would be no late scare.

The points were sealed in style on 85 minutes when substitute Alex Webb produced a sublime long-range left-footed strike that flew into the top left corner, extending the lead to 4–1.

In stoppage time, Merrall grabbed his second of the match, weaving into the box and drilling a low effort back across the goalkeeper to complete the scoring and make it 5–1.

It was a fitting way to cap off the club’s final home match of the season, and a result that secured back-to-back wins as Atho continue to finish the campaign strongly.

Attention now turns to the final fixture of the season, as Lutterworth travel to Boldmere St Michael’s ground to face Smethwick Rangers on Saturday 18th April.

Thank you to everyone who came down to support the team today.

Your backing throughout the season has been massively appreciated, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for First Team football in 2026/27.

GOALS

Luke Merrall 31', 90'

Adam Shaw 36'

Ethan Flaig 71'

Alex Webb 85'

LINEUP

AJ Young (GK)

Elijah Kazimirow

Ethan Flaig

Alex Vineall (C)

Connall O'Dwyer

Luke Merrall

Kieron Brehon Taylor Blyth

Adam Shaw

Abdul Bambah

D’Lanie James

SUBS

Toby Hood (GK)

Blake Kindred

Ben Whitehead-Thompson

Alex Webb

Adetomiwa Efunnuga