ATHERTON Colls welcomed Mickleover Sports to the Skuna for the first time ever, and the visitors with the vastly experienced frontline of Lee Hughes and Stuart Beavon, left with a 3-1 win.

Colls meanwhile fielded an eleven that constited pretty much of their only fit and available players. Manager Michael Clegg keeping faith with his players on the verge of return rather than dipping into the transfer market.

The game marked captain Danny Lafferty’s 150th game for the club, it has been a remarkable period in the club’s history and Laff has played a massive part in this, both off and on the pitch.

Goals from Beavon and Hughes gave the visitors the lead in a game that had been ostensibly even until this point. Colls’ best avenue back into the game came on 25 minutes when Oli Roberts jinked past one man to get his shot away, striking the imposing frame of Mills, appeals for handball were waved away.

From here on, Oli Byrne was the busier of the keepers. Colls were then architects of their own downfall, Hughes creating havoc with a ball down the right channel. However, possession was relinquished and Clive Smith was caught in two minds as Mason Warren nicked the ball away then stroked it into the top corner to increase the lead to 3-0 before the break.

A brighter start to the second half saw Tom Bentham immediately have his first real sight of goal on 46 minutes, however Micklover had a little bit too much know how, the movement of Beavon a constant threat.

When Colls did pull a goal back through Bentham, the game had already reached the 79 minute mark, had it been earlier a barnstorming finish may have ensued. Despite an improved performance with man of the match Niall Battersby and substitutes Kieran Feeney and Dougie Nyaupembe providing some much needed energy in the searing heat, the visitors returned to Derbyshire with three points in the bag.

Colls host Basford United on Saturday and Stafford Rangers on Tuesday - 3pm and 7.45pm respectively.