TIMES are tough for Atherton teams Colls and LR.

Colls were hammered 6-1 by Abbey Hey, disappointed manager Alan Lord offering no excuses.

"We were awful," he admitted. "We got pasted in the first 20 minutes and when the score stands at 4-0 at half-time there is not much you can do about it.

"At some point in that second half we did earn a little bit of respectability and we played some half decent stuff but it was little consolation."

Chris Arnold hit the target.

Lord has released former Stockport County striker Jimmy Flood but has signed full-back Anthony Smith from neighbours LR.

Meanwhile, LR were run over 3-1 by Vauxhall Motors , and they have now notched just one point from six league games to leave them propping up the rest in Division One of the North West Trains League.

Mark Maddox kept them in touch with a smart chipped finish after chasing a long ball through the middle.

Adding to LR woes, striker John Paul Jones was carried off after taking a knock to the head; happily, the injury was not as serious as first feared.

Now LR manager Steve Plant has rebellious players to deal with: midfielder Chris Smith has gone missing and striker Tony Maas stormed out after refusing to play in the Reserves.

In the Finnair Manchester League Premier Division Atherton Town lost 3-2 at Stockport Geo and Pennington lost 3-1 at home to Mitchell Shackleton 3; Howe Bridge Mills beat Turton 11-2 in Division One of the Bolton Combination.

LEIGH ATHLETIC followed up a tough 1-1 draw against Rivington with a 7-0 romp against Smithills. John Knowles rapped a hat-trick and there were goals for Gordon Walker (penalty), R Scott and D Melling 2 as Athletic turned on the style.

After going behind against Rivington, Athletic grew in confidence with Steve Marsh and Danny Wilson looking good. Then a penalty save sparked Athletic into attacking action and they grabbed the equaliser through Andy Pickles.

Athletic Reserves beat Smithills 7-3 with Brian Edwards outstanding. Goals from T Lewis 2, P Wilkinson 2, M Fielding, T Salmon and C Dobson. The Thirds drew 1-1 while the Fourths drew 3-3, both against Rossendale.

On Saturday Athletic 1st are home to Royton in the Lancs Cup (1st round).

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