Pause hit back to stay in promotion shake-up

Starting as always with the Premier Division, and CMB gave their title ambitions another boost, with Will Owen netting the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Whitehaven.

That reduced the gap at the top to just a single point, with current leaders Thornton Cleveleys having still played two games more than their closest challengers.

Elsewhere, Kyle Higham, Tarren Moxon, Luke Harris, Ellis Wilson and Ric Seear all got on the scoresheet as Blackpool Wren Rovers triumphed 5-2 over Hurst Green, whose goals came via Pierce Beetham and Scott Craven.

Sam Parkinson produced an 11-minute hat-trick as Tempest United beat Poulton 4-0, with Aaron Thorpe also striking to round off the scoring.

Milnthorpe Corinthians and Coppull United played out a 2-2 draw, with goals from Jamie Looker and Oliver Rickerby cancelled out by Jack Shields and Nathan Bibby respectively.

Burscough Richmond battled from a goal down to win 2-1 away at Turton, with second-half strikes from Matthew Hawkins and Zach Carberry ultimately sealing the three points.

Cole Exley had earlier given the home side the lead.

And closing out the Premier Division round-up are Cleator Moor Celtic, who claimed a 1-0 victory at Lostock St Gerards thanks to a Bradley Rooney.

In Division One, a late penalty earned Kendal County a deserved point at Southport Hesketh as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw.

The visitors took the lead on 21 minutes when Jordan Gander stole in at the back post to fire home.

A handball in the box helped Southport Hesketh restore parity six minutes later, Joe Tierney slotting home from the spot.

Ben Davenport then prodded Southport Hesketh ahead just after the break.

But Kendal County battled hard up the slope into a strengthening wind and earned a share of the spoils via another penalty on 84 minutes, Jacob Carway making no mistake from 12 yards.

Meanwhile, Haslingden St Mary’s sent out an emphatic message regarding their promotion credentials, moving up to second with a 6-1 win over Crooklands Casuals, who had initially taken the lead through Harvey Irving.

Lewis Hanley then went on to score twice, whilst Alfie Edmondson, Michael Woodvine, James Wright and Michael White netted one each.

It’s Eagley, however, who continue to top the division, with the leaders seeing off Carnforth Rangers 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Kieran Lomax.

Hesketh Bank put a dent in Askam United’s lingering hopes of claiming a top two spot, with Joe Stead’s 86th-minute strike sealing a 3-2 win over the promotion-chasers.

Goals from Jack Brierley and Lewis Johnston had earlier been cancelled out by a quickfire double from Callum Rayner and Joel Tindale.

And Dec Preyzner got the decisive goal as Lytham Town won 1-0 at Croston Sports.

Just two Division Two games survived the latest round of wet weather, with both settled by a 3-2 scoreline.

At Pause United, the home side rallied from 2-0 down to beat Charnock Richard Reserves, with goals from Ben Roberts, Phil Meeks and Gordon Lynch sealing a stellar second-half comeback after Mohammed Butt and Daniel Kahn had scored before the break.

Meanwhile, Caton United also recovered from 1-0 and 2-1 down on their way to victory at Euxton Villa Reserves.

Ian Billington and Thomas Henderson netted for the home side, either side of a Steve Oliver equaliser, before Jack Curwen and Jack Tipler registered an ultimately decisive quickfire double.

Division One Reserve saw both of the top two claim victory, with early goals from Harry Johnson and Jake Mangan enough to see leaders Thornton Cleveleys Reserves win 2-1 at Hurst Green Reserves, despite Will Nicholls halving the deficit just after the break.

And second-placed Fulwood Amateurs Reserves beat CMB Reserves 3-0 with Layton Kirnon, Dylan Chauhan and Hugo Strand all on the scoresheet.

There was also a win for Fulwood Amateurs A in Division Two Reserve, which came in the form a 3-1 triumph at Lytham Town Reserves.

In the division’s other result, goals from Declan Hardacre, Anthony Slater and Isaac Wilson saw Chipping Reserves win 3-0 against Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves.