TWO years after a coach load of Athertonians descended on Brighouse Town to see their side push the hosts to their limits in an FA Cup spectacular Collieries returned as Evo-Stik League equals and won 3-0.

With both teams at the wrong end of the North Division table, a classic but scrappy six-pointer was expected.

Following last Monday night’s draw against Bamber Bridge, manager Michael Clegg brought Danny Lambert, Ben Hardcastle and Glenn Mathews into the side, as well as giving Sebastian Julien his Collieries debut.

As the visitors took time adjusting to the surface, Brighouse made the stronger start.

Defender Jamie Forbes was called upon to provide goal-line heroics when Rhys Jenkinson curled a superb lob from the edge of the area. Forbes backtracked superbly and brilliantly headed the ball over the bar.

In what was a scrappy period of the game, Forbes was again central to the action, but at the other end of the field.

A Colls free kick on the halfway line was sent into the box and the defender directed a header towards goal but Brighouse’s Christopher Butt was equal to his effort.

Atherton grew into the game as the half went on, with Hardcastle drilling a fierce effort against the foot of the post.

A minute later they took the lead through defender Chris Lynch, who headed into the top right-hand corner after Forbes’ flick-on from a corner. It was a fine header from a strong set-piece move.

Eight minutes later Colls doubled their advantage. Pinball in the Town area saw the ball fall kindly at the feet of Hardcastle.

The winger had no hesitation in firing the ball straight into the back of the net for his second goal in as many appearances.

It could have been three with a minute of the half remaining, Matthews making sure Butt was awake with a firm drive.

The keeper, however, pulled off a good save to ensure his side went into the break with only a two-goal deficit and still in with a chance.

The second half saw the visitors carry over their momentum from the first as they controlled possession.

Despite one or two efforts, Town failed to pose any real substantial danger to Adam Reid’s goal.

Half-chances came and went for Hardcastle and Iain Howard but the real highlight of the half came on 74 minutes.

Substitute Darrhyl Mason played a direct ball across to Hardcastle on the right. The winger laid off to Howard who set up Ryan Salmon for a shooting chance, Butt saving.

It was superb football from Clegg’s men and, four minutes later, Atherton had their third.

Substitute Jordan Cover used his pace to latch onto a forward ball, before laying off to Hardcastle. With a goal already to his name the winger passed on to Lambert who curled a superb effort into the net.

With that, the three points were in the bag. Brighouse did come close as they hit the post with a cross-shot but the win was never in doubt for Clegg’s men.

With three goals, a clean sheet and a convincingly superb performance it was a fine afternoon’s work.

On Saturday Colls host Radcliffe Borough in a league game and on Monday Bamber Bridge visit the Kensite Stadium for an Integro League Cup tie.