Singleton winner keeps Hesketh alive on goal-laden weekend

The biggest success out of the Premier Division this weekend is that of Southport Hesketh, who recorded their second consecutive win against a visiting Tempest United side.

Southport had failed to win any of their first 10 matches, leaving them pinned to the bottom of the table, but last week’s triumph over Poulton must have given the group a boost.

Danny Singleton was the hero last week, his 92nd minute penalty wrapping up Southport’s first win, and the man was at it again this week, scoring the only goal in Hesketh’s 1-0 defeat of Tempest. (picture kindly supplied by Southport Hesketh FC)

That result leaves Denis Hill’s men in a three-way tie for last place, but with the form picking up, it’s the teams around them that should perhaps be worried.

One of those nearby teams is Poulton, who also played this weekend and are now one of the teams level with Southport on points.

They travelled to Whitehaven Amateurs and were defeated 3-2. The result saw Whitehaven leapfrog the visitors into 13th place.

Goals from Sheldon Mossop and Owen Woodburn gave the home side a two goal advantage within 20 minutes before Poulton dragged their way back into the game courtesy of goals from Angelo Karadzhinor and Max Landless.

In the end though, the man who scored the game’s first goal also scored the last, Sheldon Mossop converting the eventual winner in the 75th minute to ensure Poulton’s went home empty handed.

There was only one game in Division One this weekend, but it was a cracker.

A goal-laden first-half saw Stoneclough leading Ulverston Rangers 4-2 before a nervy second period left the visiting Ulverston side disappointed to leave without a point.

Stoneclough, currently fifth in the league, went two goals up before a quarter of the game had passed, Heath Ainscow and Paul Lomax the scorers, but were pegged back to 2-2 within seven minutes thanks to a 24th minute own goal and Matthew Jackson’s 28th minute equaliser.

Time to take a breath then?

Not a chance.

Before the half was over Stoneclough had scored twice more through Dean Smethurst and Ainscow to give them a commanding lead.

Another own goal in Ulverston’s favour ensured a nervy last 15 minutes, but Stoneclough held on, and in doing so, narrowed the gap to the top four to only a couple of points.

There was no lack of entertainment in Division Two either as Cartmel and District played out a thrilling end-to-end draw with Garstang.

The score was 3-3 and, delightfully, featured goals on each of 10,20,30 and 40 minutes exactly.

Morgan Dennision got Cartmel’s first in the 10th, Tom Graham equalised in the 20th minute, with Ric Tomlinson giving Garstang the advantage with his 30th minute strike before Danny Reeve ensured that the game was balanced before half time.

More goals came after the break, Garstang’s Lewis Heap and Jimmy Keith of Cartmel and District bagged to ensure that the points were shared in an exciting football match between two of the bottom three teams in the league.

The other game in Division Two was a hotly-contested 1-1 draw between Walney Island and Kendal United.

Chris Malone scored for the home side before Marco Thompson netted Kendal’s equaliser in the 75th minute.

Kendal would have moved up to third-place had they been able to force the victory over the line, but failed to really capitalise on a weekend when none of the top four were playing in the league.

Division 1 Reserve had a full complement of games this weekend and the clubs clearly decided to make up for the lack of overall goals on Saturday by bagging dozens for themselves.

Tempest United Reserves were the highest scorers, netting nine against Stoneclough reserves in a 9-2 win for the home side. Adam Shorrock scored four times in that game with Adam Paulauskas, Nick Skelly, Danny Ashcroft, Gareth Gemmell and Jake Whittle scoring the others.

Croston Sports reserves scored seven without reply over visiting Horwich St Mary’s Victoria Reserves, Joshua Sarda and Martin McCubbin getting braces in that game.
Gavin Edwards scored the opener, Harry Hardacre got the fifth and Ryan Abraham finished things off in the 85th.

Euxton Villa Reserves showed no mercy in their performance against bottom side Eagley Reserves.

Liam Fielding got a hat-trick for the home side whilst Neil Buckley, Ashley Ball and Richard Wilson added a sheen to the result, the match ending 6-0 to Euxton.

Poulton Reserves and Hurst Green were the fourth and fifth highest-scoring teams this weekend, the twist is that they were playing each other.

In an amazing match, Hurst Green went ahead three times away from home only to concede a decisive goal in the 85th minute to ensure that they travelled home empty handed.

John Stead had put the Ribble Valley side in the driving seat before Matthew Sheridan and Matthew Seal swung the game on its head to give Poulton the lead.

Hurst Green came back though, Stead with his second of the game and Sam Whittaker putting the visitors into the ascendency going into the break.

Matthew Sheridan got his second of the game to tie things up again at 3-3.

Cory Longton scored - Hurst were ahead - Chris Long equalised and then Aaron Sowden got the ninth goal of the game to give Poulton Reserves the three points and move them up to third place.

There were five goals in Thornton Cleveleys reserves 3-2 victory over CMB reserves and four goals in Fulwood Amateurs reserves victory over Blackpool Wren Rovers reserves’ win over Blackpool Wren Rovers reserves.

Award for least goals in a Division 1 reserves match this weekend though goes to Turton Reserves vs Burscough Richmond Reserves. Tom McKee, Tom Flitcroft and Andy Lane the scorers in a game that only saw three goals, Turton winning out 3-0.

Division 2 Reserve had fewer games and fewer goals, though only just.

Fulwood Amateurs A tried to make up the gap themselves with a 12-0 trouncing of Storeys Reserves. Matthew Billington scored four goals, there were doubles for Hugh Sneddon, Ben Bolton and Connor Mallett.

Joe Collins and Nathan Thompson also contributed to the thrashing with a goal apiece, with Storeys still looking for a first win.

Wyre Villa Reserves continued their push for top spot with a 3-0 victory over mid-table Chipping Reserves.

Jonny Wilding and a double from Ben Cecil ensured that Wyre’s solid start to the season continued apace.

Lytham Town Reserves brushed past Hesketh Bank Reserves by four goals to one.

Adam Zyda, Finlay Best (2) and Matthew Wiggins converted for the home side after Hesketh had taken the lead through Cameron Patterson.

Finally in Division 2 reserves, a dream comeback had seemed to be on the cards for Coppull United Reserves.

Thornton Cleveleys A went 4-0 upwithin 40 minutes with goals from Kieran Rimmington, Owen Walmsley, Byron Greenwood and Harrison Naismith.

The home team thought that was job done, but just as they took the proverbial foot from the gas, Coppull United went pedal to the metal.

Callum Ellis scored in the 41st minute to open a sliver of possibility for the visitors and belief started to set in when Lee Richardson converted a penalty just after half-time. Richardson got his second of the game in the 90th minute but it was too little, too late for Coppull in the end.