Atherton top after Hornby trick

ATHERTON Town went top of the Premier Division on goal difference but with two games in hand after a stunning 3-0 away win at previous leaders Stockport Georgians.

Striker Phil Hornby was just too hot for the home defence to handle scoring all three goals. His first came from the penalty after Jamie Chadwick's cross had been handled, the second was a header following good work between Tony Walker and Daniel Christie with the third the best of the lot, a cracking finish from Chadwick's pass.

The hat-trick hero was the Leighton Packaging man of the match but the victory owed much to two outstanding saves from Town keeper Gary Osborne towards the end.

Eight previous visits to Salteye Park had brought no joy for Elton Fold until the 1-0 away win at Mitchell Shackleton. The vital goal came on the ten minute mark, Paul Owen winning the ball and John Armstong exchanging passes with Keith Ingham before scoring with a low shot.

Hindsford eventually beat Belden 4-1 at home after Mark Redmond's quality finish making the scores 1-1 at the break. Peter Barry's half-time chat worked wonders with Darren Briggs getting the second on the hour mark, Simon Hampson diving in to head the third and Matt Toone poaching the fourth after the keeper had spilled Craig Briggs' effort.

Breightmet United went some way towards clearing pre- match gloom caused by the departure of striker Paul Gallagher to Eagley with a 3-1 home victory over Tintwistle Villa.

Phil Hinks took over the No 9 shirt and levelled after United had conceded after only 30 seconds and scored an excellent second to take the man of the match nomination. Paul Smith hit a thunderbolt 35 yarder for the killer third goal.

The cup clash between Elton Fold and Hindsford reserve teams ended with Fold sealing a cracking game with the very last kick of extra time for a 6-5 victory. Elton's goals came from Warren Bunting with two penalties, Steve Smith with two, an own goal and Mattie Wright's 40 yard winner. Johnny Morris got four of Hindsford's goals.

Breightmet 2nds went through to round two with a penalty shoot-out win at Avro.