TWO wins at The Kensite Stadium saw Atherton Collieries go to the top of the Hallmark Security Premier League for the first time since August 2006.

Last Monday Barnoldswick Town visited buoyed by some recent good results and in the knowledge that they hadn't lost to Colls since they joined the league for the 2009/10 campaign.

Colls started the game on the front foot but couldn't find a way past an inspirational Stuart Cross between the a Town sticks.

However Mark Battersby settled nerves just before the break with a ferocious strike which Cross almost saved.

The match was always competitive but Colls continued to hold the aces and Ben Hardcastle increased the lead from the edge of the box.

Midfield dynamo Vinny Bailey then bundled home from close rangeto give Michael Clegg's team a fine 3-0 victory.

On Saturday Cammell Laird 1907 came to Atherton in a game which matched up the top and bottom of the league. Lairds ripped up the form book when Danny Lomax scored in the 8th minute and when Brad Cooke was given a straight red card Colls looked in trouble.

Fortunately they didn't concede another first half goal and within them minutes of the restart Battersby had scored a brace to turn the game on it's head.

Hardcastle and Jordan Cover added goals to give the ten men a 4-1 win. Whatever the managerial team said at half time worked. Prior to the game there was a parade by Services Veterans on the pitch followed a bugler playing 'The Last Post'.

This proceeded a minutes silence to commemorate the 100th anniversary of The Battle Of The Somme. Over £640 was raised on the day for the Combat Stress charity with more monies to raised over the next month.

On Friday Colls make the short trek to Irlam while Padiham visit The Kensite Stadium on Monday night. Both kick offs 7.45pm.