ATHERTON LR kept right up with the UniBond Division One pace-setters on Tuesday with a tremendous 3-2 away win at Curzon Ashton.

LR's form has been top notch over recent games, culminating in a 2-1 home victory over the league leaders Lancaster City by last Saturday, followed by the midweek triumph.

Dave Morris' side is looking well set to be in the perfect position right up with the front pack come the midway point of the season.

At the moment, any side that can put together a string of good results can begin to set the pace the others have to match.

Lancaster enjoyed a storming start to the season but have gone through a bad patch with the Crilly Park defeat being followed in midweek by a shock home slip-up against Fleetwood in losing by the one goal. They have now been caught at the top of the table. Netherfield have taken over the reigns at the front but it must be remembered that LR, now in sixth place, have achieved that position without not one or two, but several, first team regulars since the start of the season.

That injury catalogue, which at one time read like a roll of honours list, has now vastly reduced.

Only play-anywhere Paul Burrows is currently out with a slight hamstring pull. Keeper Andy Hills was expected to play this afternoon in the away trip to struggling Harrogate Town. Highly-rated young utility player Damien Kelly, now recovered from his broken foot, is having a run-out with the Reserves. Cartilage op victim defender Paul Kirwan is now fully fit and fellow top defenders Mick Southern and Rob Holgate have also shaken off long-term injury worries.

Morris has almost an embarrassment of riches at the club and faces a delicate balancing act to keep as many happy as possible. Each match, there could be as many as 10 players disappointed not to be in the starting line-up and there most likely isn't another club in the whole of the UniBond League where there is a similar situation.

The manager's dilemma will be ensuing that the top quality cover he now enjoys for every single position on the field is maintained throughout what looks like being a strong promotion push.

The Reserves team is literally packed with the cream of local and some not so local young players.

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