An experimental and much-changed Atherton LR side lost 2-1 to neighbours Atherton Town in a friendly on Tuesday night.

A team made up of a mix of first-team players returning from injury, trialists and under-21s players were second best to the Manchester Premier Division side in front of a decent sized midweek crowd at Crilly Park.

The hosts started the stronger with Kyle Robinson-Murray hitting the bar and a chance also falling to Luke Nicholls, who had his first run out since suffering an injury six weeks ago.

It was Atherton Town who took the lead when a foul on the corner of the box resulted in a penalty which was dispatched as the visitors took a lead into half time despite LR having the majority of possession.

The second half started again with the home side having the majority of the ball but failing to make the possession count until it dropped on the edge of the box and Robinson-Murray bent an effort in the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

Shortly after, Town responded with a long ball over the top not dealt with by LR and the visiting striker lifting the ball over the oncoming debutant goalkeeper Charlie Burgess.

The game finished 2-1 to Atherton Town in a well-contested even game, which saw several LR youngsters stepping up - five from the U21s and one U18.

Following the game, assistant manager, Gareth Flitcroft said: “Overall, I thought it was a really good exercise against a decent team who are doing really well in their league.

“We had a lot of younger players tonight who I thought were really impressive, especially centre-back Isaac Sams who is only 16 years old and he’s playing against an opponent who’s played at a professional level.

“It was the type of intense and competitive game we wanted - especially for the lads coming back from injury.”

Atherton LR host NWCFL Premier Division side Colne in the FA Vase on Saturday (3pm) as they look to progress to Round Two for the second successive campaign.