ALTHOUGH his stint as manager lasted only five months, David Jones’ impact at Atherton LR has set them in good stead for success in the future.

That is the view of former LR manager Shaun Lynch, who is now the chairman at Crilly Park and has seen Rovers enjoy a huge turnaround this season.

Mark Robinson, a B licence coach who was in charge of Atherton Town Under-18s has taken the reins and inherits a team that looks to be on the rise.

Last term, LR were rooted to the bottom of the First Division North table, following fifth-bottom, third-bottom and second-bottom finishes in the preceding three seasons.

This time around, Rovers sit comfortably in mid-table and as well as enjoying greater fortunes off the field things are looking far rosier on it.

“We’re going quite well this season, although we’ve lost a couple lately,” Lynch told The Bolton News.

“Dave has decided to step down due to the travel involved and his work and family commitments and we’re sorry to see him go, he has done a great job, he was always very enthusiastic and had a lot of very good ideas, we want to give Mark a chance.

“We’ve been very impressed by him so far and he’s brought in quite a few good players.”

Atherton LR get their Macron Cup bid under way this weekend for Robinson’s first game in charge and in Saturday’s first-round tie they travel to Premier Division opposition in Runcorn Town.

Win or lose, when they return home the LR players will be able to join the fun at Crilly Park, with a funfair and firework display going on into the evening.

And with off-field attractions helping locals to renew their bond with Rovers, Lynch has been delighted by the response from the community as LR continue something of a rebirth.

Whether the new era will be kick-started by promotion – which would be a huge turnaround, given the campaigns that have gone before – remains to be seen, but for everyone connected with the club it is a breath of fresh air to be looking towards the four promotion places.

“It’s just a case of everything coming together for us,” he added. “We probably have a committee of about 15 people now, we have new sponsors and major shareholders taking over.

“The crowds are up as well, we have already had an increase of 40 per cent in the attendance, so we’re really pleased with how things are going now.

“The Runcorn game is going to be a tough one, they’re in a higher league and they’ve got a lad, Craig Cairns, who’s a very good goalscorer.

“Although we put in a good performance at Pilkington last Saturday we lost 2-0. We battered them in the first half and they did the same to us in the second but they had a lad [Deklan Hill] that put two chances away.

“There are four promotion places but I think two of them will be taken by Lower Breck and Holker Old Boys, they’ve been the standout teams this season. As far as I’m concerned the other two places are up for grabs.

“We just need to bring in a few more experienced heads, we were bottom last year so we’re happy about how things are right now, it bodes well for the future.”

The funfair at Crilly Park will open at 5pm on Saturday, with the firework display expected to start at around 8.20pm.

Daisy Hill climbed to fourth in the First Division North table after their 6-3 win at Nelson.

Jacob Ridings hit the opening goal nine minutes in but the lead only lasted a minute as the hosts levelled through Teal Amos. Nelson then edged in front, Morgan Crawford scoring midway through the half.

Jamie Ramwell ensured the Admirals’ advantage was also short-lived as he scored a minute later. And Ramwell’s second goal, on 37 minutes, gave the Daisies a 3-2 lead at the break.

Joe Mullarkey netted the visitors’ fourth six minutes after the restart and after Crawford’s second goal made it 4-3 on the hour mark, Ridings killed off any hopes of a comeback with his second goal.

The hosts’ Daniel Fagan was shown his second yellow card and his team mate Charlie Lloyd was sin-binned as Daisy saw out the win, David Devlin completing the scoring in the 90th minute.

The win takes Daisy into the promotion places and they turn their attentions to Macron Cup action with a first-round tie at home to AFC Blackpool this Saturday. Kick off at New Sirs is 3pm.

In the second round of the Lancashire Amateur Shield, Eagley won the derby at Astley and Tyldesley, a 5-2 victory sending them through last weekend.

Also into round three are Atherton Town, 2-1 winners at Millom on Saturday.

Turton’s tie at Bolton County and Tempest United’s match at Daten were called off, as was Horwich St Mary’s Victoria’s Division One game at Askam United.

In the Manchester League Division One, Scott Locke and Adam Spencer scored but it was not enough for Bolton Lads and Girls Club to avoid falling to a 4-2 defeat at home to Altrincham Hale.

The day’s big winners were Bolton United, who were 7-0 victors in Division Two over visitors Hollinwood.

Mohammed Fahid Ali scored a hat-trick for United and Yusuf Elahi netted twice, with the other goals coming from Ethzaz Hussien and substitute Umah Chadat.

In the Lancashire Amateur League Blackrod Town managed to see action but they were beaten 5-1 by hosts Old Blackburnians Reserves. The Lancashire Shield tie between Premier Division sides Thornleigh and Bolton Wyresdale was postponed.