Atherton LR 4 Blackrod Town 1 by Mike Whalley: ATHERTON LR came back from a goal down to make Goldline Trophy history at the Reebok Stadium on Thursday night.

Goals from Wayne Jopson, Ben Obong, Steve Cunningham and Chris Curley ensured that the 1998 winners became the first club to claim the trophy twice.

North West Counties League side Atherton worked hard to grind down their spirited West Lancs Premier Division opponents, who failed to recover from the loss of injured captain and centre-back Lee Powell midway through the second half.

Atherton captain Ian Callaghan was thrilled with his side's victory, but acknowledged Blackrod's gutsy effort.

Callaghan said: "We knew it was going to be tough. But I thought we rode the storm really well, and we always knew that we had the quality to come through."

After a tight, nervy opening 45 minutes, David Sutch sidefooted Blackrod in front from close range six minutes into the second half, having been set up by Sam Cardwell's overhead kick from the left.

Atherton equalised in the 58th minute, when Gareth Strange received a short corner on the left and crossed for Jopson to head in at the far post.

Obong then hammered a left-foot shot into the far corner with just over 20 minutes to go after Jason Kay had teed him up.

But Cardwell missed a golden chance to equalise two minutes later, trying to walk the ball in after rounding keeper Colin Flood, and allowing defender Steve Wynne to make a vital interception on the edge of the six-yard box. Substitute Cunningham raced clear on to Jason Kay's flick to slam in Atherton's third soon afterwards, before the excellent Obong surged down the left and cut the ball back for Curley to drill in the fourth.

Atherton LR: Flood, Jopson, McNair, Callaghan, Wynne, Curley, Strange, Kay (Meehan 90), Obong, Westworth (Cunningham 48), Crompton (Hannon 80). Not used: Cavanagh, Dunthorne.

Blackrod: Billington, Simm, Arkwright, Crispin, Powell (Clarkson 72), R. Collier (Findlow 86), Callow, Settle, Cardwell, Sutch, Tonge (Morris 80). Not used: A. Collier, Slater.

Referee: Jim Waring.

Attendance: 2,400.