Battlers Stoneclough hungry for next level

The Division Two pacesetters matched Division One promotion hopefuls Hesketh Bank in a 2-2 Richardson Cup draw only to succumb to another penalty shoot-out defeat.

Two of their four spot kicks failed to hit the target with Hesketh Bank coming out on top 3-1 on penalties.

It was a disappointing ending for the visitors and Scoullar but a performance overall he was more than happy with.

“Last year in the Amateur Shield we drew at CMB 1-1 and then lost on pens,” recalled Scoullar, who has led his side to 10 wins from 10 in the league in a barnstorming start to the 2025/26 season.

“I think we scored one in five - CMB were not much better and they only scored two!

“As soon as it went to pens today...I don’t know what it is.

“Throughout the season we have missed penalties and have done it again today. It is what it is, it’s a lottery, I can’t be too harsh on the lads, it was a good performance.”

Hesketh Bank took the lead on 12 minutes when Luke Smith finished with aplomb from Kevin Edgar’s left-wing cross.

Into the wind, Stoneclough looked dangerous going forward and they grabbed the equaliser on 34 minutes – Addie Lomas breaking free on the right, after a superb advantage by referee Mark Green, to fire into the far corner.

Tom Howlin then put Stoneclough ahead on 47 minutes when his corner evaded everyone in the home side’s six-yard-box to nestle into the far corner.

Lewis Johnson then brought the home side level on the hour, prodding home after the visiting keeper had produced a brilliant close-range save from Smith’s header.

Johnson missed a glorious chance to win it for Hesketh Bank late on but 2-2 was a fair scoreline between two sides who put on an entertaining spectacle despite the blustery conditions.

Scoullar added: “First half we struggled with set pieces to get to grips with them, they hit the post and bar from set pieces. We played better when we had the wind against us to be honest and moved the ball better.

“I think the second half was a bit of a nothing half for both teams really.

"Last 20 minutes everyone was resigned to penalties.

“They know their strengths and play to it and they’re a bit more organised. We played them last year in the cup and they beat us 4-2 but today showed how better we were and we were much more in it.

“I think we got bullied by them and we stood up to that this time. "We want to be playing these teams every week.”

And if that league form carries on, Division One beckons. And there’ll be no let up by Scoullar and his bench.

“August is massive – every manager you speak to will say that – you’ve just got to be in there,” said Scoullar, who brought in three new players in pre-season with last season’s top scorer Jumaane Meggoe joining North West Counties League side Bacup Borough.

“We surpassed what I set which was six wins from eight – we got eight from eight. It was a brilliant start.

"The target is still the same, we want to be in the top two.

"That’s a minimum achievement for us. We were third last year and we’re determined to take that extra step this season.”

In the only other game to be played in the Richardson Cup, Haslingden St Mary’s edged past Milnthorpe Corinthians 1-0 thanks to Charlie Ridge’s early effort.

Caton and Walney Island drew 0-0 in the Challenge Cup, with the Lancaster side prevailing on penalties 6-5.