ATHERTON Collieries responded to their midweek defeat to Clitheroe in the semi-final of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy with back-to-back 5-1 home wins over Eccleshall and Chadderton to resume their push for the NW Counties Division One title.

Michael Clegg’s side are now just one point behind leaders Cammell Laird with three games in hand.

Colls kicked off their emphatic response to the Clitheroe defeat against Eccleshall on Saturday, Ben Hardcastle and Gareth Peet scoring in the first half before Adam Jones pulled one back on the stroke of half-time.

That served as a wake-up call to Colls whose top scorer Mark Battersby scored twice in the second half before Jordan Cover rounded off the win.

It was Chadderton’s turn to be put to the sword on Monday.

Leading 1-0 at half time through Cover’s early goal, there was little indication of what was to come in the second period and Chadderton were still in it when David Murray pulled a goal back after Mark Truffas had doubled the Colls’ lead.

But they were eventually blown away by goals from with Battersby, Tom Shaw and Matt Bolland.

Colls travel to Litherland REMYCA on Saturday. Atherton LR are away to Cheadle Town.