ATHERTON Collieries overcame a wretched start and committed opponents in Cheadle Town to claim a 6-2 win and break the 60-point barrier for the North West Counties League Division One season.

Cheadle took the lead at Alder House on four minutes when Artjoms Buturions slotted home after capitalising on a mistake by the Colls backline.

The home side equalised shortly after when Gareth Peet beat a visiting defender and set up Mitch Leece to score his first of the afternoon.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining Joe Evans sent Leece clear for his second goal of the day and 12th of the campaign.

Cheadle had the majority of possession at the start of the second half and looked the more likely to score.

But the Colls went to task on their mid-table opponents, with Paul Atherton making it 3-1 with a fine shot from 10 yards out on 64 minutes and the floodgates opened.

Atherton bagged his second and the Colls’ fourth when he spotted the Town keeper off his line and chipped him with an accurate effort.

Captain Brad Cooke then scored before Gareth Peet made it 6-1 with close-range effort following a goalmouth scramble.

Buturions doubled his tally for Cheadle to add a late consolation and finish off the scoring.

The last two meetings between the sides have produced 17 goals and the latest goal fest saw the Collieries hang on to fourth spot in the table after fifth-placed Hanley Town won 3-0 at home to Daisy Hill, who sank to their 19th defeat of a forgettable season.

Atherton LR’s match at Ashton Town was postponed.