Atherton Collieries fell wide of the mark with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Stafford Rangers in NPL West on Saturday.

The Black and Whites struggled to find a foothold from the off, and an enforced change in shape due to an injury to defender Toba Obitayo added further strain on their ability to withstand the hosts’ trademark brand of direct and physical football.

Chances did fall to the Colls in the first half, with Alex Doyle notably testing the high line of maverick goalkeeper Cam Belford with a long-range effort that flew narrowly wide.

It may have been considered a relief to many Northern Premier League fans to see long-throw specialist Tom Tonks depart Marston Road for a higher level two seasons ago, but credit must go to Rangers for subsequently finding an identikit replacement in James O’Neill, whose efforts ensured the hallmark Stafford long throw remained a more than potent thorn in the Colls side all afternoon.

It was John Atherton who opened the scoring for Stafford, finding the net as the Colls failed to clear their lines following a textbook long-throw routine. Seconds later, a second goal came as Dan Cockerline outpaced and outmuscled the defence on the left to provide for Kaiman Anderson.

The Collieries found brief respite and had their chances to pull themselves back into the game before half time. Lewis Rawsthorn had the pick of the bunch, shooting wide from near the penalty spot following great work from Tom Warren, while Calen Gallagher also tested Belford with a well-taken header from an Ethan Kershaw cross.

But these opportunities were not taken, and Stafford turned the game into a rout, twisting the knife with a ruthless second-half performance.

Atherton converted his second following a poorly-defended corner, before Stafford’s fourth came through nomadic target man Cockerline, who converted from a Belford long ball following a brief flashpoint between the stopper and Kielen Adams.

The final goal of the game came through Anderson again, as Stanley Anaebonam broke down the flanks and provided for the forward’s second.

Colls’ attentions now turn to Tuesday night’s home league clash with Widnes (7.45pm).