ATHERTON Collieries go into back-to-back home matches this weekend with manager Michael Clegg warning they are gearing up for a big performance.

Promotion hopefuls Bootle visit Alder House on Saturday before Colls entertain North West Counties League Premier Division leaders Barnoldswick Town on Monday.

Clegg’s men limbered up for the league double-header with 3-1 replay victory over Ashton Athletic in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase.

“The form has been coming over the past few games and I think the lads are building up to a big performance and a big score-line,” said Clegg.

“Someone will be on the end of that and hopefully it can be Bootle and Barnoldswick.

“They are both good teams, but I don’t think we should have anything to fear.”

Colls are ninth in the Premier Division table, two places below Bootle, going into Saturday’s encounter.

But they have already beaten them in the FA Cup and are only two points behind them having played three games less.

The Alder House outfit are already behind in their fixtures following wins in the FA Cup and now the Vase.

Mark Battersby added his fifth and sixth goals of the campaign against Ashton, either side of one from James Moore, as Colls bounced back from conceding an early goal to make it into the next round of the non-league cup competition.

The two sides drew 0-0 at Ashton on Saturday to take the game to a replay.

Atherton LR, meanwhile, chalked up another win in the First Division with a 3-2 victory at home to Holker Old Boys.

The visitors took a 1-0 lead into the break before goals from David Moore, in the 58th minute, and Jordyn Fitton 12 minutes from time put LR in front.

David Swarbrick equalised three minutes later but Fitton hit back with an 85th-minute winner.

The three points moved LR up into fifth place and they travel to Hanley Town on Saturday.