Finnair Manchester League ATHERTON Town won 2-0 away at Springhead in the Premier Division but according to manager Shaun Lynch 'never really played that well'.

"It was only in the last twenty minutes when we really came to," he said. "Up until then it could have gone either way but we made a couple of changes and that made the difference. Tommy Stokes came on as sub and did very well, Baz Atkins finally looked as though he wanted to know in midfield an Steve Dixon was outstanding."

It was 18 year old Ryan Willetts who picked up the Leighton Packaging man of the match award however and he said it was who created the first goal with a marvellous piece of skill setting Phil Hornby free to fire left footed into the bottom corner on 70 minutes.

Ten minutes later Hornby again had the home defence in a panic and as he rounded the keeper he was brought down. The inevitable red card saw the errant goalkeeper departing early and the first thing his replacement had to do was pick the ball out of the back of the net from Atkins powerfully struck free kick.

Stokes, Hornby and Andy Morris all went close in the last ten minutes to increasing Town's lead but in the end they were well worth their 2-0 victory. The Town Reserves won 3-1 at home to top of the table New Mills with goals from Anthony Lavery, Gary Stanley and Danny Nightingdale.

Elton Fold enjoyed a 5-2 away win at struggling Urmston in which the only doubt about the result was how many would Guy Mallinson's side get. A 30 yarder into the top corner on 10 minutes from John Armstrong and Martin Rayner on 20 minutes put Fold in the driving seat but the home team hit back for 2-1 at the interval. An own goal, man of the match John Price and a Steve Dearden header earned Fold all three points. Karl Billingham and Derek Alderton scored for the Reserves in a 2-2 home draw with Old Alts.

Breightmet United went top of the Division One listing with a superb 3-1 away win at Tintwistle Villa.

"I'm really proud of them because to go to such an intimidating place and win like that is a great result," beamed manager Phil Breakell. United went 1-0 down after 20 minutes when a block tackle on the edge of the area saw the ball rebound over keeper John Hinks' head and in.

Gary Goodinson took his season total to nine with a superb solo effort rounding three defenders before cracking the ball in of the post for the equaliser and 1-1 at the break. A brilliant through ball from Phil Hinks set 16 year old exciting discovery Sean Broughton through from his own half to superbly chip in over the keeper for his third goal in as many games. Goodinson took his league goals tally into double figures for United's third when he was teed up by Paul Gallagher.

United took their foot off the pedal in the last 20 minutes but the impressive victory had already been achieved. Midfielder Paul Smith was Breakell's choice for the man of the match award. The Reserves won 5-3 at home Stockport Georgians with goals from Paul Thompson, Paul Gibson and three from "guest" James Freeborn. The former United regular is home from his coaching and studying course in the States and played a second game in two weeks for his ex club scoring his second successive hat-trick. United's 1st team result coupled with Leigh Athletic's superb 3-0 away win at New Mills put them clear at the top of the Division One table. Hindsford slipped into fourth place with a 2-0 away win at Whitworth Valley.