THE normally watertight Atherton Town defence sprung a leak in the 3-1 shock Premier Division home defeat by much improved Willows.

The visitors took the lead early on with an acrobatic overhead kick but Leighton Packaging man of the match Barry Atkins levelled for Town before the interval.

The second half was a catalogue of disaster for the Howe Bridge outfit with a poor clearance from keeper Gary Osborne gifting Willows a second and the third coming as manager Shaun Lynch was trying to substitute injured centre back Steve Dixon and the stricken player was caught out.

Town hit the bar twice in the closing stages and had numerous chances but the visitors keeper was in top from.

The Town Reserves threw away a two goal lead to lose 6-2 at Springhead, Steve Morris and Gary Fitzmartin scoring.

Elton Fold took a three goal half time lead in a very one-sided home game against Urmston.

Man of the match flying left winger John Armstong got the first and third, in between setting up Steve Smith for the second.

The visitors hit back after the break and Fold were thankful for the width of an upright after the score had been reduced to 3-2.

In the very last minute substitute Anthony Healey set up Martin Rayner for the killer fourth.

A depleted Fold Reserves side went down 3-0 at Stockport Georgians. Pennington crashed to a 5-3 defeat at Monton Amateurs.

q"THE writing was on the wall for this one," bemoaned Breightmet United manager Phil Breakell after seeing his side slump to a first Division One defeat of the season 2-1 at home to Ashton Athletic.

"They hadn't won a game yet, they were struggling for a side so much they were 20 minutes late and they go and beat us. It just had to happen like that!"

Ashton scored virtually from the kick off then packed men behind the ball to protect the lead.

Breightmet levelled when Adam Wrigley was fouled and Martin Spencer hit home the rebound after Paul Settle's penalty had been saved.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Ashton caught the Breightmet defence napping to score the winner.

Centre-back Simon O'Dowd was named man of the match.

The Reserves won 7-3 at Hollinwood. Hindsford celebrated a 4-1 home win over Hollinwood. A delightful chip from Craig Briggs put the Squires Lane outfit in front but this was cancelled out before the break.

The second half saw Pete Barry's side knock the ball around with purpose, Danny Woods getting the second before Chris Jolley put Rick McLoughlin away to beat four defenders and set up Matt Toone to backheel in the third.

The fourth came from substitute Peter Barry Junior with a header. Hindsford keeper Scott ones was named man of the match. The Hindsford Reserves won 7-2 at Milton goals coming from Mark Haslam (3), Johnny Morris (3) and Matt Lilley. Leigh Athletic celebrated a 4-2 home win over Belden.

BEN STAR TURN: John Armstrong - Elton Fold. "A good old fashioned left winger," enthused team boss Guy Mallinson.

Finnair Manchester League

Leading Goalscorer Chart

Paul Gallagher Breightmet Utd 8

Matt Toone Hindsford 7

Danny Woods Hindsford 7

John Armstrong Elton Fold 5

Martin Rayner Elton Fold 5

Gary Goodinson Breightmet Utd 4