ATHERTON captain Paul Walsh wants his young side to finish top of the crop of Bolton Association clubs moving to the Bolton League next season.

The 32-year-old batsman targeted a top six finish at the start of campaign, as the 2013 title winners and last year’s runners-up entered a period of transition.

Their fate remains on a knife edge ahead of the penultimate game of the regular season, before the Association splits into three mini-leagues of six teams.

Atherton are currently in fifth place, leading a pack of five teams separated by just six points, ahead of tomorrow’s game at home to league leaders Edgworth.

Positive results against the table-toppers and at Winton next week would put them in that top group.

And with the Association’s top four teams – Edgworth, Flixton, Bury and Swinton – all transferring to the new Greater Manchester League next year that would leave Atherton well-placed to finish best of the rest.

“It would be nice for the lads to move over to the Bolton League as the leading side from the Association,” said Walsh.

“We have got a very young side and I think that would give the lads a lot of confidence to take forward into what we expect will be a step up in terms of the standard of cricket.”

Walsh is resigned to the fact the league title is beyond them as he prepares for the visit of Edgworth, who are 43 points better off.

But after putting his faith in emerging talent from the second team and under-17s this year, he believes there is still plenty to play for.

“We never expected to be up there challenging for the title again this year after losing a lot of experienced players before the season. In many ways, though, we have done better than expected,” he added, after blooding young players like opening bowlers Josh Gilluley, aged 20, and Danny Ashton, 16, left arm spinner Harry McManus, 17, all-rounder Leighton Smith, 16, and batsman Scott Ryan, 17.

“These young lads have not just been brought in to make up the numbers, they have been important players – with bat and ball.

“The experience of first-team cricket they have gained this year should stand them, and the team, in good stead for the challenges to come next season.”

Tomorrow’s fixtures: Adlington v Worsley, Astley and Tyldesley v Little Hulton, Atherton v Edgworth, Blackrod v Golborne, Bury v Winton, Lostock v Flixton, Swinton Moorside v Walshaw, Standish v Darcy Lever, Westleigh v Daisy Hill