ATHERTON Colls' opening North West Counties League Division One schedule confirmed manager Alan Lord's worst fears.

Unless he can uncover a quality striker capable of putting chances away all the good work of his team will amount to nothing. Solid defending can amass very little if pressure is not applied to opponents in the front line.

The first week of the campaign saw three defeats - 1-0 at home to Kidsgrove Athletic, on the Tuesday the same scoreline away to Ramsbottom United and on Saturday 2-0 at Mossley. The sad irony is that Lord's side had looked more than a match for the opposition in each outing - except in the vital finishing department. Thankfully Bank Holiday Monday brought something to cheer about with a 3-1 home win over Leek CSOB, despite being down to 10 men from 25 minutes onwards following the sending off of Colin Lomas.

"We're not going to get carried away by that first win but it is obviously a step in the right direction," says Lord.

"Those three opening games were against better sides in the division. With all due respect to Leek they are not in the same category. Still it was nice to score three goals and sets up nicely for tomorrow's FA Cup game at home to Morpeth."

Atherton LR did just enough to beat Oldham Town 4-3 at Crilly Park last Saturday without playing particularly well. Barry Massay bagged two and Damien Stewart and Mark Mather one each. LR's midweek clash with Chadderton was postponed as the Oldham side faced a FA Cup replay.