DROYLSDEN made their first competitive visit to the Kensite Stadium for some time on Saturday, and having taken the points with a 5-0 win against Atherton Collieries it was an outing Bloods’ fans are likely to remember for many seasons to come.

Ultimately, Droylsden were simply better and more clinical in front of goal and they took a victory that leaves Colls still struggling at the wrong end of Evo-Stik North.

The Collieries’ spirited first-half performance was long forgotten come the end of the 90 minutes, a heavy defeat the stinging memory.

The only major changes from last weekend’s superb performance in a narrow defeat against Scarborough saw Danny Lambert pushed into midfield and Sebestian Julien playing up front.

The fact that the game went ahead at all was thanks to the fine efforts of the volunteers who spent the morning preparing the pitch, but their efforts would not be rewarded with a victory.

The Colls had made the better start and nearly opened the scoring on five minutes. Winger Ben Hardcastle released a fierce low effort from the edge of the area that Bloods stopper Ritchie Branagan could only parry straight to the feet of Julien. Fortunately for the visitors he scuffed his follow-up effort and the defence hacked the ball away to safety.

Ten minutes later Julien came close again, this time only the frame of the goal denying Atherton.

And, having been unable to capitalise on their chances, Colls fell behind on 20 minutes.

This time it was Colls keeper Adam Reid who could not hold on to a low drive and when the ball landed in the path of Jamie Frost he made no mistake in tucking the ball past the helpless Reid.

Just before the break, Reid was called upon again, this time he thwarted the troublesome Sefton Gonzales with a smart double save to ensure his side were still in the game, 1-0 down at the break.

Although Colls had played well and only trailed to a simple lapse in concentration but the second half was a poor showing from them and the four goals reflected that.

Droylsden’s second goal came on the hour mark.

The ball was slipped through to Ciaran Kilheeney who, unchallenged, carried it into the area before he poked past Reid.

Four minutes later Liam Caddick’s tame effort wide of the area was somehow deflected into the back of the net.

A far-post header from Kilheeney saw Droylsden make it 4-0 and, with four minutes to go, the Bloods rounded off their afternoon with their best goal of the game.

Frost was again played through on goal and, with the onrushing Reid abandoned by his defence, the Droylsden man lifted it neatly over him to complete the scoring.

After such an uncharacteristically poor performance from Mike Clegg’s men Atherton have a chance to bounce back this Saturday when they make the journey north to Kendal Town.

Kick off is 3pm.