ATHERTON LR did much to impress new 1st team boss Alan Lord in his debut game in charge.
The 2-1 defeat at Unibond Premier Division Burscough was almost an injustice to the young Rovers side as the team from two divisions higher was given a real scare in the LFA Marsden Challenge Trophy Round One.
The tie was switched to Burscough after postponements at Crilly Park and the home side had the edge in the first half, opening the scoring on 20 minutes through Steve Leahey after earlier having an effort disallowed.
Rovers looked a totally different proposition in the second period and on 65 minutes former Burscough player Paul Meredith levelled with a wonder goal, beating three defenders with his run from deep before burying a left foot shot into the bottom corner.
The deciding goal three minutes from time summed up LR's luck on the night as striker Colin Entwistle broke through with only the goalkeeper to beat. He missed his kick and the ball, having been punted downfield, was picked up by Paul Talbot and fired into the LR net.
Atherton Colls crashed out of the NWCL Worthington Challenge Cup Round One in a 1-0 extra time home defeat by Stone Dynamoes. The deciding goal came just three minutes into the extra period giving the Division Two table-toppers a shock victory.
"They are a good side and no mistake," said Colls club secretary Emile Anderson. "You can see why they are well ahead in the fight for promotion. We put plenty effort in but just failed to click on the night."
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