Atherton LR righted the wrongs of their previous league outing against Darwen with a 3-1 win over local rivals, Ashton Athletic, in the NWCFL Division One North, writes Kadan Openshaw.

LR found their footing early as a Joe Bickerstaffe ball was launched towards the edge of the box and was subtly picked up by Tom Romano who sent a shot low into the bottom corner to give the home the lead in the opening minute.

Things would go from bad to worse for the visitors, as a throw-in by George Chadwick found Joe Bacon who launched a crafty cross into the box where Brandon Dawson rose to power home a header despite the keeper getting both hands to the ball.

Ashton Athletic were rocked but rallied and went in search of a goal to get them back in the game. Nathan Beca danced through the LR defence to get a shot away, but a poor effort was gobbled up by a returning Joe Bickerstaffe.

The second half began much of the same as the first ended, a very tense affair with Ashton looking for an equaliser and LR looking to extend their lead.

But it was LR who further extended their lead. A high ball lost in the fog caused confusion in the Ashton defensive ranks and Harvery Sample slipped the ball through to recent new singing Marcus Perry who slid the ball under the advancing Ashton keeper.

The visitors did eventually hit back when a corner by Niall Patridge was met by the head of Oscar Rothwell who headed past Bickerstaffe to set up a nervy final 10 minutes.

But LR were able to see the game through and earned a big three points to keep their firm grip on the top of the league intact.

Following the game, LR boss Dave Jones said he was happy to see his side ‘adjust and adapt’ to festival football.

He said: “Boxing Day is always a difficult game, Christmas the day before messes up the training schedule a bit, you’ve got to adjust and adapt.”

“Thought we started the game really strong, we talk about getting in the right areas and they’ve have got in the right areas today and taken their chances well.”

LR are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Cumbria to face Holker Old Boys (3pm ko).