Not for the first time this season Darlaston made the arduous, traffic delayed trip up the M6 to Manchester for their first ever visit to Atherton Collieries.

Darlaston boss Exodus Geohaghon made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 at home to Chasetown seven days earlier. Midweek signings Sidik Atcha and Michael Taylor coming in for their debuts, Cameron Hall reverting to the bench.

The visitors made a bright start and should have been ahead in the early stages. In the opening minutes Simeon Okoro brought off a fine diving save from home keeper Jack Dallimore, diving to his right to keep out Okoro's 15 yard angled drive.

Taylor then had two one on one chances to open the scoring, both times breaching the home defence to create good opportunities. On both occasions keeper Dallimore stood firm eventually making two comfortable saves, Taylor just failing to get clean powerful shots off.

Atherton started to grow into the game, Montserrat International Dominic Richmond was quite superb. Influencing the game with his pace, neat trickery and dribbling skills, being the heartbeat of the home side. Striker Tom Bentham and full back Sam Sheridan also impressing. Despite having the better of the possession for the remainder of the half, the home side didn't trouble keeper James Carr, both defences on top. Former Bury and Widnes defender Niall Battersby was colossal at the heart of the "Colls" defence whilst debutant Atcha and skipper Victor Nirennold, were equally superb at the heart of the Darlaston defence.

In the opening 45 minutes both teams cancelled each other out, goalless at half time being about right.

The second half saw "Colls" have the better of the possession, Richmond's influence on the game increasing. The home side exerting pressure without unduly troubling keeper Carr. Sheridan was playing in some superbly weighted passes to Richmond, the pair combining superbly on several occasions to open up Darlaston, several times on the right flank.

The opening goal was always going to be vital and it was the home side that got it on the hour mark. Substitute Chinedu Uche, only on the field for 3 minutes, converting from close range, following a cleverly worked free kick.

The home side were now pressing home their advantage, visiting keeper Carr, superbly clawing away a Bentham free kick. Darlaston's best chance of the half came when Okoro created a chance for himself, beating Sheridan on the inside before shooting high and wide from a good position 16 yards out.

A stunning second goal from Bentham on 76 minutes sealed the points and knocked the stuffing out of the hard working Darlaston side. A neat move by "Colls" resulting in Bentham curling home a superb 22 yard strike into keeper Carr's top left hand corner.

After an even first half Atherton fully deserved the win following their second half performance.

"Colls" Dominic Richmond and Stalybridge Celtic's Liam Tongue the best two performances and players seen against Darlaston this season.