A brace from Lewis Collins either side of a Chris Cowley had the Adders in control of the game at the break, before the hosts showed some life in the second half.

Dylan Parker picked up his first goal for the club after Godmanchester had managed to pull one back, before a late second set up a nervy finish.

The victory keeps Atherstone well within the play off hunt, with back to back home games to come this week.

The Great British winter has played havoc with the Non-League schedule so far, with wet conditions leaving games called off left right and centre across the last two months. When games have been on however, Atherstone Town have made a lovely habit out of winning away from home.

In their last run out away at GNG Oadby they dug deep to pick up a 3-1 win, and would need to do the same again to overcome Godmanchester Rovers. The two sides met on the campaigns opening weekend in July, and the conditions were somewhat different for the reverse fixture.

The issues with the pitch at Godmanchester are well documented, so the Adders knew to prepare for a tricky afternoon on a difficult surface. They came out of the blocks fast and never looked back, winning the midfield battle and creating chances from wide areas.

An impressive partnership is beginning to form in the engine room of the team between Thomas Healey and Ryan Quinn, who both turned in typically high energy performances. After some early feeling out, Atherstone took the game by the scruff of the neck and put their hosts to the sword.

The opening goal came as the ball was worked long down the right hand side, being excellently taken down by Jack Edwards before he pulled the ball ack to Lewis Collins on the edge of the box. Collins bagged a hat-trick in the first meeting of the sides, and cooly converted his effort to pick up where he left off.

Partnering Collins in attack these days is Leo Wood, who has made an impressive start to his tenure as an Adders. It was Woods hard work and determined running that saw Chris Cowley pick up the ball in the area, before firing home low across the keeper to make it two nil after half an hour.

Atherstone kept their foot on the gas, pressing their hosts high and winning the ball back in advanced areas. Wood was instrumental again in the third goal, turning well under pressure and picking out Collins with a superb through pass behind the defence. The skipper kept his cool to round the keeper and roll home his second of the game.

Goals weren’t the only drama of the half, as Edwards was denied what looked a stonewall penalty when he was clattered by the goalkeeper in the area. Protests for that decision were still ongoing when Edwards was on the receiving end of a nasty looking challenge, which was somehow not deemed worthy of a card.

Although baffled by some of officiating, Atherstone went into half time comfortable with their own performance, but aware that Godmanchester remained a threat at home. The hosts certainly performed better in the second half, and pulled one back early into it in bizarre fashion.

Lewis Gwilliams seemed to have the ball in total control, only to see it roll across his body and into the path of an attacker to tap home. It was a slice of fortune for the hosts, but the Adders did not let it put them off as they continued to control the proceedings.

The three goal lead was restored at the midway point of the half, as substitute Dylan Parker picked off a wayward header back to the keeper, before lobbing the ball into the back of the net. It was the forwards first goal since his arrival, providing him with a confidence boost and as good as putting the game to bed.

The hosts were not quick to give up however, and provided late drama to put some nerves in the travelling support. They struck their second of the half with a smart low finish, before seeing their own strong claim for a penalty waved away in added time.

The protests against the officials saw the hosts reduced to ten men in the dying moments but in reality had little effect on a game that Atherstone deserved to win from the first whistle. The fifth win in a row leaves Atherstone well placed in the mix for the play off places, with as many as six games in hand on some of the teams around them.

One of those games in hand takes place on Tuesday 16th, with GNG Oadby the visitors to the MG Evans Stadium. That is the first game of a home double header, with Newport Pagnell making the trip north on Saturday 20th.