ATHERTON LR went down 3-1 at home to NWCL Division One title hopefuls Kidsgrove Athletic - paying a heavy price for a terrible start.

The Potteries side went two goals up before the Atherton players had begun to shake off the ring-rustiness of a weather-induced three week lay-off.

Hesitant LR defending gifted an opener after just two minutes and a failure to clear cost a second on 12 minutes.

LR got the perfect start to the second half when striker Peter McRae, back after a 12-match absence, reduced the arrears with a good finish. But just four minutes later bad marking saw Kidsgrove get the third killer goal.

Former Atherton Colls star Steve Wallace had an excellent LR debut in the sweeper role with another former Alder House player, Phil Porter, the outstanding performer after coming on as substitute on 25 minutes for the injured Chris O'Brien.

Atherton manager Gerry Luczka said: "They were very strong and quick up front and that caught us out. We got over-run in midfield so they were able to dictate play."

ATHERTON COLLS were crushed 4-1 at Salford City with chairman Steve Payne honest enough to admit:

"We thoroughly deserved it. We never really got started until the closing stages and the lay off over Christmas with the weather obviously took its toll."

Colls' goal came from 19-year-old debut ace and former Wigan Athletic YTS Tony McKie who smacked in a loose ball.?

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