Atherton LR 0 (0) - (5) 7 FCUoM

A crowd of 1,325 returned to the aptly-named Victory Park, in Chorley, where United followed up last year's 3-0 win over Daisy Hill with a resounding battering of Atherton LR.
Spectators had barely taken their seats in the Main Stand before Stuart Rudd got his third goal of the week on his way to a hat-trick, with a simple one-on-one finish past LR stopper Chris Kieman for
1-0.
A minute later, Rob Nugent started off what was to be an impressive performance with a close-range finish aftr a left-wing cross for 2-0.
Then, with nine minutes on the clock, left-back Alex Mortimer looped a clever free kick from the United right past Kieman to open his scoring account and make it 3-0.
The league leaders continued to press on what was a tricky surface, with the 'home' side rarely getting a sight of Sam Ashton's goal.
Rudd resumed the scoring just short of the half-hour mark when he cleverly tucked home number four in a one on one with the 'keeper.
Six minutes before half-time, the reds made it 5-0 when Kieman failed to grab hold of a Rory Patterson free kick, which the on-rushing Josh Howard tapped in from six-yards out.
Atherton emerged from the break with a more reserved 5-3-2 formation and, for the most part of the second half, sat back in two rows of five.
A crowded box made it hard for FC to find a way through, despite handy work from substitutes Aidie Orr (for Rhodri Giggs), Stephen Smith (for Steve Spencer) and the aerial threat of Liam Coyne (for Dave Chadwick).
It took until about 10 minutes remaining for Simon Carden to add FC's sixth goal of the afternoon, sidefooting in from six yards out.
And with almost the last kick of the game, Carden was denied his second goal, as his edge-of-the-area shot found the head of Rudd, who immediately claimed the goal - and the hat-trick.

The reds performed to the high standard they have set for themselves in a match where motovation was difficult, said Karl Marginson.
Speaking after the 7-0 away win against Atherton LR, he said: "[The midfield] did improve on Monday night. They moved the ball about well and were quick to the ball, though it is hard to judge their performance thoroughly when you go 2-0 up after a minute.
"The first half was very impressive and I thought all the players did well all afternoon.
"Any manager would find it hard to find fault with them today, though it is hard to motivate players when they go in at half time 5-0 up.
"[Atherton LR] made it very difficult for us after half-time. The set their stall out with three in the middle of the park and I think they didn't want t concede anymore.
"Rudd was excellent today with some good finishes and Alex [Mortimer] took his goal well. [Spencer] and all of the midfield were sharp and it's all positives."
He added: "From here, we will just prepare for our next game. I will be reminding the players before Wednesday [about last season's defeat and draw against Flixton] and they will have it in their minds, and Atherton Collieries won't be a pushover.
"We'll just take every game as it comes."
Marginson also wished Dave Swarbrick a speedy recovery after the former Holker Old Boys winger underwent surgery on a leg injury on Friday.
He is on crutches and expected to be out for several weeks, if not months.