Atherton LR are into the third round of the FA Vase for the first time in more than 30 years after a 4-1 win at NWCFL Premier Division side Abbey Hey on Saturday.

Their first goal came after 15 minutes as Tom Romano made a darting run deep into the box and laid off the ball for Ryan Talbot who was able to get the shot away but it was punched off the line by Abbey Hey defender Darryl Grant. Grant was dismissed and a penalty awarded that was calmly scored by Talbot.

Only 12 minutes later and LR doubled their lead when a Lance Houghton cross found Joe Bacon, who finished from a tight angle.

The pressure was continued into the second half where, in the 64th minute, Romano was taken down in the box and the referee gave a penalty which is saved by Abbey Hey keeper Connor Beard.

The LR attacks just kept coming, though, and in the 85th minute a lofted ball found Akim Simms, who made a long run down the field and fired the ball towards the goal and after rattling the bar, it bounced in to make it 3-0.

Then in the 91st minute, George Chadwick won the ball back, passed to Luke Nicholls, who in turn returned the pass and he was able to take a touch with his right foot before slotting home into the corner.

Late on in the game Abbey Hey were able to get a consolation goal from a Jordan Bennett header..

After the game, LR manager Dave Jones said: “Right from the start I thought we controlled the game, I thought we were the better side and people saw that today.

“We’ve pulled through hard fixtures every round, we’ve not had any easy games. So it’s been a difficult challenge but a welcome one, the lads have adapted themselves really, really well each game.

“The squad are absolutely flying, its the highest we’ve ever been.

“How they approach each game speaks about the mindset and mentality of the group, which makes me so proud of them.”

LR return to First Division North league action tonight as they look to retain their 100-per-cent home record against Ashton Town.

Coincidentally, they were today drawn at home to the same opposition in the third round of the FA Vase, in a tie to be played on December 7.