Shannon Gill had put the visitors in the lead, but Sophie Coates equalised just before the break.
The winner came 12 minutes into the second period when Liv Jones prodded home from a Dale free-kick, sealing all three points.
Coming into the game, Atherton topped the North West Women’s Regional League Central division with four wins from four, scoring 17 goals.
They had the first effort of the game through Tailor Toner, but Dale stopper Tan Nash made a good stop with her feet.
Caris Valente, playing an attacking midfield role for Dale, was proving a danger, sending one shot from distance wide and another on target after showing good feet, but visiting goalkeeper Abbey Fitton was equal to it.
Atherton opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark when the ball fell to former Dale striker Shannon Gill, and she prodded home from close range.
Dale responded well to the setback, though, with Gracie Smith’s shot from distance being held by Fitton.
Hannah Wilkinson hit one wide for the visitors before Nash closed down Gill quickly to deny her a second goal.
On the stroke of half-time, Dale deservedly levelled. A cross from the right was floated in towards Sophie Coates, who exquisitely lobbed the ball over Fitton on the volley, dropping it underneath the crossbar.
Dale began the second period as they ended the first and took the lead shortly before the hour mark. A corner was sent into the area and fell nicely for Liv Jones, who slotted home from close range to put Lee Atkinson’s side ahead.
Nash in the Dale goal was kept busy as the visitors searched for a way back into the game. She held an Amy Huyton shot from distance and Toner’s well-struck effort, as well as making a fine one-on-one save from Hannah Wilkinson.
Dale had chances of their own too, in the closing stages. Lilly Dale’s corner hit the top of the crossbar and dropped behind, before Coates volleyed over another set piece.
Substitute Daisy Mason had a fierce effort turned behind before she sent a final shot over in the dying embers.
Wilkinson had the visitors’ final shot of the game, and some stout Dale defending made sure they held on for all three points.
Dale XI | Nash, Jones, Malpus, Whyte, Smith, Valente, Coates, Barnett, King, Williams, Southworth.
Subs | Jackson, Dale, Jones, Fogarty, Mason.
