With the ‘big freeze’ wiping out almost all of December’s schedule, the Boxing Day trip to Guiseley was eagerly anticipated by Brad Cooke’s Atherton Collieries.

Hopes of ending 2022 with three points were dashed, however, a professional performance from Guiseley seeing them run out 3-0 winners in NPL Premier Division.

Colls certainly had the better of the chances in the opening period of the game and the 24-minute mark saw a flurry of action.

First up, former Bolton Wanderers forward Jay Fitzmartin could only watch as his effort was cleared off the line before Bailey Thompson - making his first full start for the Colls following a year on the sidelines with a leg injury - saw his header fly just wide of the mark.

Then, Gaz Peet’s drilled ball across goal was smuggled away by some cool defending.

They were all missed chances for Colls - something they reflected on at half time with Guiseley 1-0 to the good.

Five minutes of the half remained as George Smith’s cross was seemingly cleared off the line by Ethan Kershaw.

The midfielder leapt to head the inswinging corner away and play continued unabated - for everyone, that is, except the assistant whose flag danced almost too gleefully in the West Yorkshire wind.

He said the ball had crossed the line, even to the surprise of those wearing yellow.

The second half belonged to Guiseley.

A mixture of unusually static defending and a ruthless forward line saw the visitors licking their wounds.

Callum Chippendale bagged both goals for the Lions. His first came on the half volley, Nico Defreitas-Hansen left stranded by what was a very smart finish.

A flowing move enabled Chippendale the second as Guiseley transitioned from back to front and the forward rounded off a good afternoon for both him and his club as he rolled the ball into the back of the net.

Although well beaten, the black and whites stripes didn’t throw in the towel as Fitzmartin’s howitzer cannoned off the bar before Thompson shot narrowly wide.

There were lessons learnt for Cooke’s Colls who will look to make amends next Bank Holiday Monday (January 2) as they welcome Lancaster City to the Skuna Stadium (3pm).