Atherton Collieries won 3-1 at Stalybridge Celtic to take all three points in their first NPL West outing of 2025.

Despite overnight fears the game would not go ahead, the pitch played perfectly and the Collieries put in an on-point display.

Skipper Calen Gallagher, Bobby Bjork and Aaron Dwyer returned to the starting line-up from the previous outing at Clitheroe and there was a welcome squad spot for Alex Doyle after a four-game injury sabbatical.

The Stripes were in the ascendancy as early as the fourth minute. A raking Ethan Kershaw drive was parried by the keeper and Kielen Adams gobbled up the rebound.

Proceedings had a nice ebb and flow to it and Celtic should really have equalised.

Sol Honor resolutely pushed away a Liam Tonge free-kick only for Joe Duckworth to blast the follow-up onto the top of the bar.

Numerous free-kicks were being given away in danger zones and from one such incident the lead was doubled. Dwyer nonchalantly whipped in an absolute beaut from just outside the box. His wafted shirt-in-the-air celebration even warmed the cockles of the heart of the most caution averse supporter.

Michael Clegg’s team led by two at the interval but the hosts had played their full part in the game and within seconds of the restart they had grabbed one back.

The Colls committee were still enjoying the excellent hospitality in the warm boardroom when Lewis Rawsthorn took his chance with aplomb. He joins the forever expanding list of ex-Colls men who return to haunt.

Colls had to buckle in now and 10 minutes later posted the perfect riposte. Dwyer ran at a wary defence before nestling one in the near corner - a grand finish.

The game continued to excite, Adams forced a Colls speccy to produce rapier-like reflexes to evade a narrowly wide power blaster and Joe Edwards almost finished off an incisive move only to be foiled at the near post.

The hosts had a number of half-chances to reduce the arrears but Colls deservedly held firm for a standout victory against in-form opposition.

This Saturday, old friends Trafford visit the Dreams2Reality Stadium for a league clash (3pm).