Askam's growth inspired by near neighbours

They defeated Lytham Town 2-0 away from home in Division One on Saturday with second half goals from Callum Rayner and Jack Stoker.

“It’s back-to-back wins and, crucially, back-to-back clean sheets after our win over Holker on Easter Monday,” said Shirley.

“For us to go away anywhere in the West Lancs and get a result [is important] but to get a win and a clean sheet is a really good day.

“We were delighted; we went in with a game plan, we’ve made some adjustments to our system because things hadn’t been going well, and it's worked well for us over the last two games.

“Lytham is a tough place to go and to come away with three points is really pleasing.”

Shirley’s first involvement in Askam came 23 years ago and he has held various roles in that time, either side of a three-year spell at Dalton United.

He’s been a coach and manager at various levels of the club and is in the first season of a second spell as first team manager.

He’s also the club’s welfare officer and his wife Kelli has been secretary since 2012.

In the 2012-13 season, his first in charge, he guided them to winning the Division Two title.

As much as they may not have hit those heights this season, there are big plans afoot for Askam.

“We’ve struggled to meet our targets this season but that's not to say that it’s been a waste.

“It’s a bit of a cliché but you don’t lose, you learn and we’ve learned a lot.

“The club is really ambitious and we’re keen to ensure we take maximum value out of this season, despite it being disappointing.

“In the short term, we need to get key players back from long-term injuries; there have been several key players with experience and quality that have been out.

“The lads who are fit need to be fully committed, because we’ve got a very talented squad but we’ve lacked depth.

“We want to see where we finish, evaluate and then look to build on it.

“Attracting players in the Furness area is really difficult, they are fiercely loyal to their clubs which you have to respect and you do respect, but it makes recruitment tough.

“As of now we're focusing on growing our own talent, through the youth section and that's going really well.

“We’ve got a really vibrant youth section, we're growing the girls game and we hope that through the growth of our youth section, we can add another senior team, an under 18s and a women’s section.

“We're putting our money where our mouth is, because we've already brought a couple of 16-year-olds into the first team this season and they've done well.

“In terms of on the pitch, we're taking inspiration from what clubs like Millom have done.

“There's absolutely no reason why we can't do something similar if we can keep the squad together and we get decent availability, we can grow.”

Elsewhere in Division One, Carnforth Rangers moved into third after a 5-0 win at Turton.

Their goals all came in the second half, three of which were put away by Cameron Holmes, the third highest scorer in the division behind teammate Joe Wilkinson and Hesketh Bank’s Kevin Edgar.

Jordan Darby and captain Stan Rich also bagged as they closed the gap on the top two.

Despite Carnforth cranking up the pressure, second placed Kendal County bagged an impressive 2-1 win at top side Hesketh Bank.

Two goals from Lewis Casson inflicted just Hesketh’s third defeat of the season; Lewis Johnson halved the deficit late on.

Kendal United won 6-0 at Freckleton as Tommy Varey bagged a hat trick, with the other goals coming courtesy of Steve Brown, Michael Caulfield and Joe Hodgson.

Ulverston Rangers and Crooklands Casuals shared the spoils after a thrilling 4-4 draw, while Holker Old Boys Reserves saw off Chipping 4-1.

In the Premier Division, Lostock St Gerards tightened their grip on second place - despite teams below them having games in hand - with a 1-0 win over Hurst Green.

Andy Leggett scored a 91st-minute winner to now put LSG firmly in control in the race for second.

Astley & Buckshaw won 4-0 at home to Coppull United - who have finished their season in the division’s bottom two.

Samir Sobeih scored twice before Joe Ball and Jake Topping added a third and fourth.

Bottom side Whitehaven rescued a point at home to Blackpool Wren Rovers; after going 2-0 down inside 16 minutes thanks to a Charlie King double, Joe Carney pulled one back before Liam White levelled seven minutes into second half added time.

Burscough Richmond won 4-1 at Cleator Moor Celtic, CMB came from a goal down to beat Millom 3-1 and Poulton also turned their game on its head as they edged past Tempest United 2-1.

It’s fair to say that Saturday’s Division Two action featured some high-scoring games, none more so than Charnock Richard Reserves’ 12-2 win at Galgate.

Sam Woods (2), Alfie Barker, Tom Cardwell (2), Arrondale Richards (2), Rocco Latona (2), Noah Hobbs and Tom Kingswood, plus an own goal, gave Charnock their most comprehensive win of the season by some way, with Oli Jordan scoring twice for the hosts.

Second placed Stoneclough went eight points clear of promotion rivals Storeys with a 2-0 home win as Jumaane Meggoe and Rory Cormack found the back of the net.

Leaders Fulwood Amateurs Reserves secured another convincing win as they saw off Mill Hill 6-0, with Joey Higham getting four, while Rhys Kane and Dylan Jackson-Cooney also bagged.

Walney Island picked up a crucial and impressive three points away to Garstang Reserves, who they beat 6-1. It now takes them three points clear of the foot of the table.

Euxton Villa Reserves won handsomely as they defeated Dalton United 5-0, while Langho beat Caton United 3-1.

In Reserve Division One, leaders Blackpool Wren Rovers Res won 2-1 against Tempest United Res, while the team just behind them, Lostock St Gerards Res saw off Chipping Res 3-1.

Meanwhile in Reserve Division Two, Fulwood Amateurs A triumphed 2-1 over Hurst Green Res in the battle of the top two but they still sit nine points behind, albeit with two more games to play.

Rossendale Res won 3-1 at home to Croston Res and Stoneclough Res came away from Storeys Res with a 2-1 victory.