ATHERTON Colls successfully fought back from behind in their opening Atherton Charity Cup group fixture.

Joe Fielding fired a free-kick into the Wyresdale box and a defender headed into his own net for the equaliser after 45 minutes.

Colls’ fitness showed in the second half, with two goals from Paul Townshend capping a good workout.

Other Atherton Charity Cup results: Hindsford 5 Atherton T 1, Howe Bridge 2 Castle Hill 4, Pennington 0 Tempest 4, CMB 5 Hindley T 1, Ashton T 2 Golborne Sports 2, Breightmet 2 Daisy Hill 5.

Fixtures: Tonight, Thursday: Ath Town v CMB (7.30pm), Bolton Wdale v Hindley T (7pm); Saturday: Hindsford v Leigh Ath (2.30pm), Ath Town v Stoneclough (2.30pm); Monday: Pennington v Castle Hill (7pm), Tempest v Howe Bridge (7pm); Tuesday: Golborne v Daisy Hill (7pm), Ashton T v Breightmet (7pm), Ath Colls v Hindley T (7.30pm); Wednesday: Stoneclough v Leigh (7pm); Thurs, August 4: CMB v Wyresdale (7pm).

l SAM Parkinson and and Paul Hynes bagged hat-tricks in a friendly organised by Llay Welfare coach and ex-Colls trainer Lee Blackshaw.

Phil Williams, Joe Evans and Paul Townshend, two, also got in on the act.

l Colls make the trip to Coventry Sphinx on Saturday, kick off 3pm.