Crooklands boss hopeful for end to injury nightmare

The Dalton-in-Furness-based side lost 4-1 at home to Thornton Cleveleys Res in the first round of the competition.

Luke Armstrong scored early in the second half to reduce the deficit to what was then just a singular goal, but the away side bagged another two as the game played out.

“It was a game of moments really,” said McAloone.

“We were 2-0 down at half time and we weren’t particularly pleased with the goals we conceded but when you’re playing up against the wind, it’s tough.

“We spoke about the next goal being really important, we then went and scored it.

“They broke on us and made it 3-1, we had another good chance but couldn’t put it away, it becomes a different game.

“Both teams probably had five good chances each but the difference was that they took theirs and we didn’t.

“They’re a good, young side who had runners from midfield that hurt us a bit.”

McAloone admits that his side have had a ‘tough start’ in the league too - they sit 13th in Division One - but two home league wins in a row gives them encouragement.

“We were looking at building on a positive season last year but we have had lots of injuries early doors to key players, we had 12 injuries at one point.

“We have had to bring in some younger players from the under 16s but that can be a difficult experience for them, we are starting to get bodies back now.

“There are two things we can do: we can feel sorry for ourselves or we can do something about it and in the last two games the lads have been working so hard.

“Local derbies are always difficult and we got a good result against Askam and we were fantastic in a 5-0 win against Turton last week.

“We play Freckleton next week and hopefully we can put in another positive performance.”

The club want to continue to develop in several areas, and already boast facilities to be proud of and a very healthy junior and women’s setup.

“We have 16 teams across the club, the junior section is really strong across the area especially at younger level.

“In the last couple of years we have got five or six players through the junior system each season and that’s a big thing when there’s other sports round here and not everyone plays football.

“Financially, we’re in a good place, we’ve got loads of juniors and girls playing.

“There’s things we would love to do but it’s difficult to make them happen because of money and our location, for example getting a 3G pitch, but that comes with its issues.

“We are proactive in finding what we can do to make our facilities better.

“They are already really good, we get complimented all the time about our pitch and the referee this weekend couldn’t believe the condition that it was in.

“We work really hard and the tireless work of volunteers every day to keep the pitch and the club in order is huge.”

Askam United are also through in the Challenge Cup after a 3-1 win over Bamber Bridge Res.

In the Richardson Cup, Lostock St Gerards put seven past Garstang Res, three of those courtesy of Ryan Fletcher.

Langho beat Charnock Richard Res in a five-star display and Kendal United edged past higher-division Poulton.

Three Stewart Rowe Memorial Cup games survived the weather: Hesketh Bank Res convincingly progressed to the first round proper with an 8-0 win over Pause United Res, while CMB Res and Thornton Cleveleys A also secured big wins.

In the Premier Division, Cleator Moor Celtic extended their West Lancashire League unbeaten run to six matches with a rip-roaring second-half comeback at home to Tempest United.

George Scott blasted the visitors into the lead with a brilliant, swerving shot from 25 yards on 26 minutes and Nathan Monson seized on a defensive error to swivel home eight minutes later.

Monson made it 3-0 at the break with a close range finish leaving Cleator Moor with a mountain to climb.

Home skipper Callum Jackman gave the Cumbrians hope on 54 minutes with an outside of the foot effort which crashed in off the bar from 20 yards.

Dan Hill then made it 2-3 with a sharp finish into the far corner with 16 minutes left.

Tempest could have sealed the win, failing to capitalise on a number of breakaways with Oliver Groocock curling on an effort on to the bar with the clock ticking down.

And they were made to pay when Ellis Trotter bundled home a corner in injury time to make it 3-3 – Tempest’s first league draw of the season.

Elsewhere, Milnthorpe Corinthians got their first win of the season in a vital 3-0 triumph at Whitehaven, Hurst Green defeated Coppull United 5-0 to move into fifth, and Burscough Richmond held table-topping Eagley to a 1-1 draw.

With Haslingden’s game being postponed due to the inclement conditions, Neil Hart’s side are now six points clear with a game in hand.

Division One leaders Hesketh Bank enjoyed their biggest win of the season so far as they came away from Freckleton 8-1 winners, with Nathan Gonzales scoring a hat trick inside 20 seconds-half minutes.

Those in the chasing pack also bagged three points away from home: Ulverston Rangers won 2-0 at Slyne with Hest while Lytham Town defeated Pause United by the same scoreline.

Ulverston and Lytham are five and eight points behind Hesketh Bank respectively but both have a game in hand.

Chipping saw off Turton in a closely fought 1-0 win.

In Division Two, Appley Bridge won an eight-goal thriller as they defeated Euxton Villa Res 5-3.

The game enjoyed a blistering start, with the score 1-1 inside the opening five minutes.

Appley Bridge took the lead for the first time on 14 minutes through a Danny Atkins penalty and their position in the game was strengthened by an own goal later in the half but Tom Fletcher brought things level with a brace before the interval.

Appley Bridge recovered though and struck twice more after the break: a second for Atkins and a Declan Ashhurst effort and, this time, the hosts couldn’t find a response.

Stoneclough extended their winning start to a remarkable 13 games with a 3-0 victory at Caton United, Storeys of Lancaster tightened their grip on their position in the top three with a 2-0 win at Mill Hill, while Galgate and Walney Island drew 2-2.