Atherton LR return to winning ways with a strong showing against Maghull in a 3-0 NWCFL First Division North victory at Crilly Park.

LR debutant Harvey Sample got off to the ideal start on six minutes as a floated cross by Joe Bacon allowed him the opportunity to make the quick run and knock in the opener in what boss Dave Jones would later describe as a “proper number nine goal”.

This quick start forced Maghull to push higher up the pitch and LR narrowly avoided the equaliser when Harrison Worden lifted a free-kick towards the box which was knocked through to Darren Brannigan. He was able to lift the ball above Joe Bickerstaffe but was denied by the crossbar.

LR kept going and space on the wing allowed Tom Romano to make a strong run, turning into the box and dancing past the defenders to set up Bacon who turned in the second goal of the afternoon on 41 minutes - raising his season tally to four.

Jones’ side went in search of a third goal and Sample had a chance to double his tally but despite finding the space to get a shot away, the keeper was able to duck down and make the save.

The second half began as the teams ended the first with immediate pressure from Maghull, a chance came with another free-kick routine when Levi Adebisi floated the ball towards the box with another knock on to find John Holmes in close, but a commanding save by Bickerstaffe denied the visitors.

LR were eager to add to their lead and it was rewarded when a corner was swung in to the near post by Wilkinson and after a scramble in the box, fell at the feet of Sample who made no mistake. The hosts held out in a firm defensive display, allowing Maghull to earn nothing for their valiant efforts.

Jones did not allow the scoreline to flatter the side and said: “I think it was a slow start - in the first half we were quite poor on the ball, a lot of unforced errors and turnovers. Maghull pushed it one way and made it difficult for us. Keeping clean sheets is important and we’ve kept four in a row and that leads to being unbeaten as well as winning games and they’re all really important.”

LR host Premier Division Cheadle Town in the FA Vase on Saturday (3pm).