RED cards, a shock opening and four goals failed to lift the gloom in the big Atherton derby.

LR versus Colls at Crilly Park had all the hallmarks of a classic.

Sadly, despite a dream start for LR, Colls took the honours in a 3-1 FA Carlsberg Vase clash which proved dour and disappointing.

A mistake by goalkeeper Steve Powell allowed Rovers' John Kerrigan to pounce for the first goal after just 18 seconds!

Back came Colls. Nearly!

Craig Little rattled the upright after clever work by the impressive Mark Jones, then Mark Fitton wasted the best Colls chance of the half with a penalty which was wide and woeful after Dean Sillett had been fouled.

Fitton was the guilty party again on 55 minutes when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

As the game progressed so did Colls. The feeling grew that a one-goal breakthrough could spark the side into action. So it transpired.

Jones, always the danger man, found the key with a headed equaliser. Minutes later Alan Shawcross hit the second; then substitute Dougie Owen, whose pace, enthusiasm and example paved the way for Colls' triumph, killed the home challenge with a superb looping header.

Late on came the red cards. LR central defender Ian Owen and Fitton (see also below!) both had first use of the Camay!

Our picture shows some head-high action from the match.

ATHERTON LR have signed leading goalscorer of last season Steve Cunningham.

He has rejoined the Crilly Park outfit after a spell with St Helens Town.

LR manager Steve Plant has also signed former West Brom midfielder Darren Bowman.

MIDWEEK . . . LR crashed 2-0 against Salford. And it could have been much worse but for the good work of goalkeeper Mark Winstanley and a saving tackle by James Finnegan; the nearest they came to breaking the duck came in the last minute when Danny Pilling set up Cunningham, who was unable to properly connect with the left-wing cross.

LR U14s beat Turton 7-1 while the U15s maintained their 100% record with a 4-0 win against Freestyle.

MIDWEEK . . . Colls were beaten 2-0 at Ramsbottom United, where Mark Fitton was one of two players - one from each side - sent off after a 55th minute flare-up.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.