THE Manchester League hits the half dozen mark of matches played tomorrow and that will bring a welcome sigh of relief to most competing clubs.

It means the arduous early season midweek fixtures are over and the playing schedule now revolves solely around Saturday.

The Premier Division table shows East Manchester heading the listing with a 100 per cent return from five played and, interestingly, the top tier's only intact unbeaten record.

Atherton Town have lost twice, both at home, but last Saturday in the 1-0 setback to Wythenshawe Amateurs manager Shaun Lynch was denied the services of 14 first team players through a combination of injury, work and cricket duties. Town were still unlucky to go down last weekend, the vital goal coming from a rare mistake by the normally ever-reliable Sean Taylor.

On the plus side from that game 17-year-old Danny Nightingale came into the side at left back and looked a tremendous prospect, prompting Lynch to enthuse: "We have got some cracking youngsters with us this season. Danny is the latest to get his chance and he had a tremendous game."

"The 'owd uns' have shown they are not going to be pushed aside easily though. The vote for the Leighton Packaging man of the match vote yet again went to veteran defender Ian Parr who was just outstanding in the centre of defence.

"We were unlucky to lose to Wythenshawe. It was a great game and we played some good stuff. Twice in the second half Phil Hornby looked set for clear runs on goal only to be brought down and on both occasion the referee adjudged the foul to be just outside the penalty area. They were marginal decisions and we felt he got it wrong - twice!

"On another day both of those could have gone our way. We have so many players to come back in that we have to be pleased not only with the start we have made, but especially with the way we have been playing - and it's just going to get better and better."

Absentees at first team level has a knock on effect on the reserves but they were still unfortunate last Saturday to go down 1-0 away to Wythenshawe Amateurs.

Tomorrow Town travel to Springhead whilst the Reserves entertain New Mills.

Pennington have picked up just one point in the opening five games and they face a tough away assignment tomorrow at one of the pre-season hot tips Sacred Heart.

In Division One Hindsford are beginning to look ready for a determined challenge with just one defeat in the opening five and striker Danny Woods attracting attention with six goals already to his name.

Tomorrow the Squires Lane outfit travel to second in the table Whitworth Valley. Leigh Athletic face the long journey to table toppers New Mills.