Burnley blitz sees off strugglers Freckleton

THEO HEWSON-BETTS takes a look at the action in the West Lancashire League with many clubs on cup duty.

Division 2: Boggs bags a double

The only game in any of the top three leagues this weekend saw Burnley United defeat Freckleton 4-0 to move up to seventh place in Division 2, and to within four points of the top four.

James Boggs was the stand-out for the home side, scoring his first of the game with only seven minutes played.

His second came in the 23rd minute with Reid Wolstenholme and Vincent Licastri also scoring before half-time to tie up the victory before the break.

Freckleton are a team looking over their shoulders.

Sat on only seven points from 13 games, and with only a four-point gap separating them and Galgate, who currently prop up the table, next week’s fixture against Charnock Richard Reserves could be a defining one.

Division 1 Reserves: Fulwood and Poulton not backing down

With Euxton Villa Reserves holding on confidently to the top spot, Fulwood Amateurs Reserves and Poulton Reserves have been left to keep the pressure on the league leaders. Both teams did so in style this weekend.

Poulton Reserves put in an immaculate performance to put six goals past Horwich St Mary's Victoria Reserves without reply.

Rylan Casey scored twice in that game, Jack Murphy, Matthew Sillett, Ronan Barratt and Lois Shields also converted to ensure that Poulton would defeat a Horwich team with only two league wins this season.

Fulwood Amateurs Reserves started the day in second and maintained their position with a convincing 7-2 win over Lostock St Gerards Reserves.

A hat-trick for both Kane Froggatt and Jack Cheetham - with a sweetener from Aaron Alton thrown in for good measure - ensured that Fulwood moved up to 25 points for the season.

The goals of Jordan Wignall and Andrew Shaw slightly dampened the mood for Fulwood, but Euxton Villa Reserves’ positive result against Hurst Green Reserves - the game finished 2-1 to Villa, with Zac Wilkes and Ashley Ball winning the game for the league leaders - ensured that Euxton’s seven-point lead at the top of the table would be maintained.

There were another few thrillers across the league on Saturday.

Thornton Cleveleys Reserves won in a 10-goal thriller against Turton Reserves. Alwyn Flynn scored twice for the home team with Matthew Duffy, Harry Fryer, Billy Cartmell and Jordan Gregory also scoring.

Turton’s goalscorers were Tom McKee and Tom McNair, with Dom Farrimond getting a brace.

CMB reserves won 4-3 against Eagley reserves also.

CMB found themselves 3-0 up within 30 minutes thanks to a Nathan Durrand double and an Aaron Leece penalty.

Dylan Whitty got one back for Eagley before Jordan Schofield put the game beyond the visitors’ reach, that despite the best attempts of John McDonald and Darren Lewis.

Croston Sports reserves completed a great comeback with their 3-2 win over Blackpool Wren Rovers reserves.

Jordan Wood and Luke Smith had put the home team ahead within 15 minutes before Croston started their drive to victory.

Harvey Parker got one back in the 20th minute, Joshua Sarda equalised before half-time ticked by and Luke Blockley rounded off the victory early on into the second period.

Division 2 Reserves: Storeys Reserves Caine-d by McCartney

Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves played a flawless game to beat Storeys Reserves 6-0.

Caine McCartney scored three goals in that one, Tom Jackson netted twice and Will Booth topped off the victory against the bottom team.

With their games in hand over the teams above them, Milnthorpe have the opportunity to move up to third place, in what has been a solid start to the season for Corinthians.

Fulwood Amateurs A defeated Coppull United Reserves by eight goals to four.

Nathan Thompson, Matthew Billington and Oliver Jones all scored twice for Fulwood with Oliver Fulton and Max Botes also converting.

Gregg Brickell’s two goals and the finishes of Liam Hardman and Scott Hendy added an element of respectability to proceedings for Coppull.

Lytham Town Reserves beat Carnforth Rangers Reserves 4-3 in what was a thrilling late comeback.

Carnforth had gone into the break three goals to the good thanks to Sam Lancaster, Cole Holt and Alex Benson, but the Lytham players must have been given a dressing down at half-time as they came out after the break with the bit between their teeth.

Adam Zyda scored twice within ten minutes of resumption. Tim Slater levelled the arrears in the 60th minute while Matthew Wiggins completed the comeback in the last minute of added time.

Haslingden St Mary's Reserves beat Wyre Villa Reserves by two goals to one thanks to a Harry Hindle double.

Daniel Fryer scored the consolation for Wyre Villa Reserves with 10 minutes remaining in the game.

Finally, John Ashcroft’s goal wasn’t enough to prevent Hesketh Bank Reserves falling to defeat against Rossendale Reserves. That game ended 4-1 to Roseendale, moving the away side up to within six points of second-placed Wyre Villa Reserves.

Where next?

Cup action: Wolfenden mauls Turton In a weekend of truncated league action, it seemed only fair that we keep you all up to date on the action from the various cup competitions that have been occupying our West Lancashire League teams.THEO-HEWSON BETTS reports.
Walney’s weird away record, Bibby’s treble keeps Euxton in hunt and awesome Yawson scores four With Thornton Cleveleys not in league action this weekend, Euxton Villa had a great opportunity to put their title rivals under the cosh with a victory over Lytham Town, writes THEO HEWSON-BETTS.

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