ELTON FOLD 0 - ATHERTON TOWN 0

A HEALTHY sized crowd saw an entertaining, end to end contest at Elton Vale on Tuesday evening that was only lacking in the end product.

Fold had to settle for another draw against an Atherton side that haven't beaten Elton in their last five meetings.

It is surely only a matter of time before some team is on the wrong end of a heavy defeat by Fold as the commitment, defensive duties and approach work are all of the required quality. However the final touch, together with a slice of much needed luck in front of goal, is still missing.

Although only two teams in the division have conceded fewer goals than Fold in the opening four games, the solitary goal scored tells it's own story.

One player who is having some wretched luck in that area is centre forward Steve Smith who, nevertheless, is honest and hard working, both on the field and on the training ground.

Never one to shirk a challenge, Smith was always willing to seek out an opportunist strike but in reality, should have at least hit the target in the 25th minute when a inch perfect through ball from Keith Ingham left him in the clear, but his effort went over the bar for what was Fold's best chance of the game.

At the opposite end Elton's defence was rock solid and Town's speedy front man Hornby was allowed little room to create any danger. In midfield, Stefan Shaw and Simon Hannan had their work cut out to deal with Atherton's Atkins and Crilly, but stuck to their task manfully and gradually got the upper hand as Fpld had the greater share of possession in the second half.

The seeds sown with the formation of the club's under-18 side two years ago are now begining to bear fruit, as the performances of John Price and John Armstrong will testify.

Both have moved up from that team to become regular members of the first team squad and Price, who is competent in a number of positions on the field, did another fine job at right back whilst Armstrong's pace and close control down the left flank were a constant threat to the visitors' defence.

But in the end Fold had to settle for a point and are still awaiting that elusive first victory of the season.

Tomorrow Fold are at home to Stockport Georgians, kick off 2.30pm.

The Reserves lost 5-2 at home to East Manchester Reserves last Saturday. Ian Dowthwaite and an East's own goal were the scorers. Tomorrow they are away to Stand Athletic Reserves, kick off at 2.30pm.