ATHERTON COLLS have lost their manager - just three games into the new season.

Brian Smith sensationally quit after their 5-0 home thumping by Skelmersdale United, the club's third successive defeat. He said: "I've been on the telephone every night through the summer trying to bring in quality players.

"But, with what we have to offer, they just weren't interested. I've given an opportunity to some players who have proved to be just not good enough.

"At the end of the day the results are my responsibility. I thought I could make a difference at the club but it's not worked out.

"I would love someone to come in and do better because I like all the people at the club and they deserve success."

Colls, with stand-in manager Dave Norris at the helm, went down 5-1 at Kidsgrove Athletic.

Club press secretary Fran Anderson said: "We were proud of the lads. They really battled."

Andrews scored late on when he rode past three strong challenges to finish well for a consolation goal.

ATHERTON LR fell 3-2 at Prescot Cables. But secretary Steve Hartle reflected: It was a better performance."

Steve Cunningham hit LR's opener from the penalty spot, Jonathan Dunne smacked in a second half header.

LR lost a 4-2 home thriller against Vauxhall GM, paying a high price for silly mistakes. John Rust twice hit the target.

On Saturday LR are at Sheffield in the FA Vase.

ATHERTON TOWN striker Steve Crilly hit a treble as the side beat Elton Fold 4-1 in the Manchester League Premier Division. Jamie Reynolds added the extras.

HINDSFORD drew 3-3 at Ashton Athletic (Hamson, Chris Jolley, Danny Toone) but beat Hollinwood 7-1 (Steven Morris 2, Jolley, Craig Briggs, Mark Redmond, Tony Brown 2).

PENNINGTON were thrashed 4-1 at Willows, paying heavily for defensive errors. Veteran Bren Gilbertson was again on the mark.

ATHERTON S&S lost 2-1 to Belmont in Bolton Combination Division One, Chris Rhodes on target.

LEIGH BOROUGH scored a 1-1 draw with Young Gate and followed up with an emphatic 9-0 triumph against Daresbury Dynamo (Prescott 4, Turner 3, Heary, Lumb).

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