TWO wins in three games with virtually half a team missing is a more than satisfactory return for Atherton Town in the start to the Finnair Manchester League Premier Division campaign.

Despite being without at least half a dozen regulars last Saturday, Town were still too good for last season's top tier runners-up Dukinfield Town.

Manager Shaun Lynch had plenty to smile about after a more than comfortable 3-0 home win.

"We played some brilliant stuff at times," he enthused. "The lads that I brought in did us proud and with the Reserves also winning 4-1 at Stockport Georgians, it was a terrific weekend all round for the club. "We brought Ian Parr into the side in the middle of the back line and he had a tremendous game. Eighteen-year old Ryan Willetts came in the midfield and what a skilful player he is! The lads are already calling him the White Wanchope. He's a tremendous prospect.

"Changes were forced on us and I moved Steve Crilly into the centre of midfield from up front. He had a fantastic game. He won everything and he created a lot. Quite rightly he got the Leighton Packaging man of the match award.

"Our first goal came from a set-piece corner. Steve Dixon flicked on at the near post, Phil Hornby's shot rattled the crossbar and Baz Atkins as on hand to force it home. The second and third were real gems. Tommy Stokes, who has come back to us this season from Howe Bridge Mills, picked the ball up in midfield and hit a slide-rule pass through their defence to set Hornby away. That's were Phil is really at his best and I'd take him to score in a one-on-one nine times out of ten. Certainly he didn't disappoint on Saturday with two top quality finishes. All in all we're looking good and with good players still to come back in."

The Reserves' away win came courtesy of yet another Anthony Lavery hat-trick and one from 15-year-old Peter McEvoy, another player for the future at the Howe Bridge outfit. On Tuesday night Town drew 0-0 at Elton Fold. Phil Hornby maintained his habit of hitting the crossbar in every game so far this season and Phil Reynolds went close to pinching all three points for Town in the last minute.

The dismal early season woes continue for Pennington in a 4-1 defeat at Mitchell Shackleton, Ian Platt getting the consolation goal.

The second team had a better fortune with a 3-2 victory at Hollinwood.

A Danny Woods hat-trick saw Hindsford to a 3-2 home win over Old Alts, while the second team drew 3-3 at Belden.

Leigh Athletic went down 6-1 at home to Wilmslow Albion, Craig Little getting the consolation goal. The Reserves won 4-3 away at the same opposition.