WITH seven first team players queuing up for treatment Colne manager Nigel Coates had an opportunity to take a look at a few triallists and reserve team players in what turned out to be a comfortable 5-1 win at home to Rochdale Town.

Nathan Taylor opened the scoring for Colne on 15 minutes when he showed great commitment and energy chasing what appeared to be a lost cause and then block keeper Craig Holmes’attempted clearance before tapping home into an empty net.

A few minutes later, Dominic Craig delivered an excellent cross into the area which Holmes parried towards Kristian Evans who gratefully headed back into the net.

Early in the second half, Evans made it 3-0 with a towering header from a well delivered corner by Craig.

But one minute later Rochdale struck back with a good strike from their Portuguese striker Ricardo Brandao.

Then on 55 minutes Jason Hart showed his quality with a skilful touch onto Michael Hall who raced clear and finished well into the corner.

And on 70 minutes, Hart capitalised from a defensive error to race clear and blast home to make it 5-1.

On Saturday, Colne travel to Bootle for their first league game of the new season before they entertain AFC Blackpool at the XLCR Stadium on Wednesday (7.45pm ko).

Chorley made the short trip to Euxton Villa where manager Garry Flitcroft rotated his squad in a match the Mapgies won 1-0 thanks to Josh HIne scoring the only goal of the game Chorley host a Blackburn Rovers XI at Victory Park tomorrow night.

Padiham continued their build-up to their first season in Evo-Stik Division One North when they hosted the Burnley Development side at the Arbories.

And while they slipped to a 4-0 defeat, with Jason Gilchrist netting a hat-trick for the Clarets, it is another learning curve for the Storks as they prepare to step up a level.

Clitheroe had a decent work-out as the slipped to a 4-1 defeat at Blyth Spartans where Rob Nolan scored his first two goals for his new club since his summer move from North Shields.

And goals from Anderton, Dawson and Murphy saw Nelson returned from Tyne and Wear victorious after beating Ryton and Crarcrook Albion 3-2.

Ramsbottom United narrowly lost 3-2 at Llandudno.