Witton Albion 4 Atherton Colls 0

"WE just weren't at the races," admitted Atherton Colls press secretary Emile Anderson after his team's Friday night exit from the FA Cup Preliminary Round in a heavy defeat at the Unibond Division One opponents.

"We played Witton in the FA Cup last year and beat them 1-0 but they are a far better outfit this season.

"We had one good chance late on when Mark Platt and Nicky Fisher set up Paul Vandenberg but he volleyed wide.

"That was it though. We were totally outplayed."

Midfielder Stuart Shepherd got the Colls star man vote.

Blackpool Mechanics 0 Ramsbottom Utd 2

THE Rams gratefully pocket the £1,000 FA Cup prize money on offer for this Preliminary Round win and await the winners of the Ashington versus Warrington Town replay to learn their next round opponents.

Worries of an upset for the depleted Rams at NWCL Division Two Mechanics were allayed when a home defender deflected David Yorke- Robinson's cross into his own net on 20 minutes and obliterated with a quarter of an hour left when Chris Brookes headed home after the keeper could only parry Russell Brierley's stinging shot.

Nelson 9 Daisy Hill 1

AT the 80 minute Daisy at 4-1 down were having their best spell of the game at one of the pre-season title favourites.

Amazingly five goals went in during that disastrous last 10 minutes leaving club press secretary Ian Templeman to ruefully reflect: "The way it went you had to be thankful the referee didn't play any more stoppage time! We have to just put this down as a freak result and get on with it."

Barry Edwardson got Daisy's goal with his fourth of the season. Tomorrow night Stand Athletic visit New Sirs, kick off 6.30pm. Karl Jones and Grant Williams could be added to the squad.

BEN star man: Barry Massay (Atherton LR) The big striker showed he has what it takes to rattle Unibond level defenders. LR stunner for lucky Boro