A GOAL in each half from Jordan Cover, and one from Mark Battersby, helped Atherton Collieries to a deserved 3-0 win against Chadderton and seal a place in the third round of the FA Vase.

Chadderton began the game well and after some early pressure, they created two good chances in the space of 30 seconds as the game approached the 10-minute mark.

On each occasion, Jordan Stepion was denied, first seeing a shot from the edge of the box deflected wide, and then moments later he curled a free kick over the wall, but just wide of the post as Colls keeper Danny Taberner scrambled across his goal.

But it was Colls who hit the front on 12 minutes from their first clear cut chance of the game.

Mark Truffas and Mark Battersby both had shots blocked before the ball was played wide to Brad Cooke on the right, and his inch perfect cross found the head of Jordan Cover, who placed a header high into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Cover then turned provider four minutes later, setting up Mark Battersby for a shooting chance that Chadderton keeper Ashley Shenton blocked with his legs.

Chadderton who finished the half more strongly, and after a 30-yard effort from skipper Sean Sherwood flew wide, Jordan Stepion had another chance three minutes before the break, when his volley into the ground from a Niall Sultan cross was safely held by Taberner.

After a fast moving opening 45 minutes in which play swung from end-to-end, goalscoring opportunities were less in evidence in the opening period of the second half, but as the half wore on Colls began to enjoy more territory and took a hold on the game.

Mark Battersby shot wide from a Ben Hardcastle cross just after the hour, and another run from Hardcastle created a chance for Josh Messer, but coming in at pace he blazed the ball over the bar from close range.

But Colls finally got their second goal 18 minutes from time, although it was a goal that Chadderton will want to forget.

A misunderstanding in the middle of park gifted possession to Colls, and when the ball was played through to Mark Battersby, the striker had time to pick his spot in the bottom corner.

With eight minutes remaining Jordan Cover could have made it three when he beat the offside trap to set up a one-on-one with the keeper, but Shenton reacted quickly to race off his line and force Cover into shooting wide.

However, Cover did get his second goal of the game in the final minute, when a long ball forward from deep caught out the Chadderton defence, and Cover took a good first touch before burying his shot into the bottom corner of the net to round off a good night's work.

On Saturday Colls visit Bacup Borough in the Men United Cup and on Monday leaguer leaders Colne arrive at Alder House for a much anticipated clash. Ko 7.45pm. Please check Colls social media for up to date fixture info.