Atherton Collieries suffered a 4-1 home reverse against Marske United in their latest NPL Premier Division outing on Saturday.

Buoyed by what must be record-breaking precipitation the day before, the pitch naturally played heavy.

But it certainly didn’t deter the galvanised visitors, whose star striker Adam Boyes notched a brace to complete a comprehensive victory.

United totally dominated the first half as they adapted to the tricky conditions imperiously and eventually took the lead on 34 minutes after a neat move down the attacking left ultimately found the head of the prolific Boyes.

Attacking-midfielder Curtis Round, wearing the captain’s armband for his side in this game, then pounced expertly on a loose ball to make it two just before the break.

The Stripes laid this goal on a platter and it summed up the rather dismal first-half display perfectly.

A slight element of good fortune helped the Seasiders to their third not long after the restart, with a wicked bounce carrying the excellent Donald Chimalilo’s long-range effort over Nico Defreitas-Hansen.

The shot-stopper was one of the home team’s few bright sparks and didn’t deserve this ill fortune.

Colls got back into proceedings on 65 minutes when Nathan Caine tapped in from millimetres out after the selfless Lewis Mansell had delivered a dangerous cross at the end of a determined run.

But with the home team committing bodies forward in search of further goals, space began to open up at the other end.

This allowed Boyes to find the freedom of downtown Atherton to add his second and Marske’s fourth.

Debutant Adam Dawson and De Freitas-Hansen were best performers for Colls on what was a disappointing day.

They squad needs to regroup quickly with a visit to manager Dave Chadwick‘s old stomping ground, FC United of Manchester, tomorrow night (7.45pm).