Atherton LR in hat-trick bid

On paper everything looks to be in LR's favour with the visitors from north of the border yet to register a win in seven outings since the start of the season.

Midfielder Kenny Quigg will be missing from Dave Morris' squad due to holiday commitments and central defender Dave Channon is still under suspension. However with striker Gavin McDonald, utility man Mattie Brookes and defender Paul Kirwan all sat on the bench for the last two games, ready made quality replacements look to be available in the current squad. Danny boy knows score RADCLIFFE BORO'S rise to the second in the table slot has surprised no one who has seen Kevin Glendon's men in action this season.

After the slight hiccup of losing the opening two games despite playing extremely well, Boro have looked a class outfit, as five consecutive wins and four clean sheets would testify.

Tonight's visitors, Curzon Ashton, trail slightly behind Boro in fourth place but have lost just once in eight games and that was at home to Atherton LR on Saturday. Confusion appeared to hit the camp after that defeat when manager Tommy McLean resigned although he will reportedly still be in charge for the Boro game.

Danny Donachie, son of former Man City star Willie, suffered a dislocated ankle after coming on as sub for Boro on Saturday and faces eight weeks out. Ironically, the player, who over recent weeks has had trials with St Mirren and Hibernian, is a trained physiotherapist and was able to diagnose his own injury immediately after it happened! Midfielder Jon Senior is also an injury worry with a twisted knee. ATHERTON COLLS travel to Blackpool Rovers looking to pick up a second NWCL Division One victory of the season.

Goalkeeper Keith Schofield and midfielder Neil Higgins return tonight but the versatile Steve Coffey is unavailable.

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