Eyes on the prize for Eagley despite setback

They scored a goal of the season contender – but somehow left Burscough Richmond pointless in a 2-1 loss.

The visitors started with confidence and dominated the early exchanges bypassing the Burscough midfield at will.

But they didn't create any clear-cut chances so defender Kieran Lomax took matters into his own hands, superbly spotting home keeper Jack Lawrence off his line to lob him from a full 55 yards on 16 minutes.

But Burscough were level two minutes later, Jordan Lorde somehow squeezing an angled shot in at the near post.

Eagley continued to dominate and saw Lomax’s header ruled out for offside and Sam Crook’s angled drive turned behind by Lawrence.

Billy Whittle could have put Burscough ahead against the run of play but only succeeded in scooping a close range effort over the bar.

The second half was a much more even affair with the home side having more of the possession without creating clear chances.

As Eagley pushed forward for a winner, a lapse in defence saw Lorde fouled in the box, with the striker picking himself up to fire home from the spot on 92 minutes.

Finlay Stafford thought he had earned Eagley a deserved point in the fifth minute of stoppage time but again an assistant referee’s flag denied the visitors, much to Stafford’s dismay.

“I think we weren’t at our best [on Saturday], if I'm being honest,” said Hart, now in his fourth season with the West Lancs League’s best-placed side.

“We started the game well and we were on the front foot, but we just got a little bit sloppy and we were forcing things rather than playing the way we normally play, which is through the thirds, and we weren't necessarily connected in possession.

“It got a bit scrappy but fair play to Burscough, I think that’s the game they wanted and they executed it well.”

Eagley are five points clear at the top of the table, having won 18 of their 23 games and boasting an unbeaten home record so far this season.

To Hart (pictured above with player Alfie Cowen), though, this isn’t a big shock.

“It's not coming as a surprise, certainly to me.

“I knew the squad that we finished last season with, plus a couple more additions to help us in key areas, was a squad that was certainly as strong as anything.

“I think we put a hell of a lot of emphasis on August during our pre-season programme and coming out of that in the best possible way, which we did.

“That has sort of laid the foundations for what's been a decent season for us.

“Our home form has been pleasing. If you want any sort of success in a season, home form is key to that.

“Our ground is quite unique, it’s tight and we have a way of playing that suits us, we enjoy playing at home.

“The chairman Sam also does the pitch and he has done an incredible job on it, which has enabled us to play well and keep games on.

“We're in March, at the key part of the season now and we just need to keep going.

“Obviously, setbacks are going to be all part of it, title run-ins are never meant to be easy.”

The club would like to push on long-term, having already won Division One and the Hospital Cup in 2024 under Hart, but the focus right now, understandably, is the next couple of months.

“We’re ambitious and in a perfect world, we want to take next step but it takes a lot of finances and a lot of work, but that’s definitely the ambition.

“It was what we spoke about when I first came to the club, it was all geared towards making that step up and possibly going into the North West Counties.

“We want to concentrate all of our energy on this season first and coming out of it in the best way we possibly can.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, second placed Lostock St Gerards closed the gap on Eagley with a 5-2 home win over CMB.

They were 3-1 up at the break thanks to goals from Josh Sarda, Ashton Cookson and Charlie Markland with Benji Lilley firing one in for CMB.

LSG added to their tally in the second half through Reece Thompson and Craig Ronald, while Charlie Scholes scored what proved to be a consolation for the visitors.

Haslingden St Mary’s remain nine points behind Lostock St Gerard’s with three games in hand after a 3-1 win at Poulton.

Charlie Ridge got an early goal which was cancelled out by Tyler Hallan after the break, but Haslingden regained and then secured the advantage with goals from Leon Barker-Williams and Rico Gavan.

Hurst Green fought off a late Millom comeback to win 4-2.

Goals from Jordan Rawcliffe, Harvey Monk, Danylo Demitriiev and James Kemp had them in a comfortable position but late strikes from Ben MacDonald and Jed Philp made Hurst Green fight that little bit harder for the three points.

Astley & Buckshaw scored three times in half an hour to beat Whitehaven 3-0 - Samir Sobeih (2) and Joe Ball got the goals.

There were two score draws as Blackpool Wren Rovers versus Rossendale ended 2-2 while Coppull United and Cleator Moor Celtic drew 1-1.

In Division One, Kendal County comprehensively beat Freckleton 7-0.

Matty Casson bagged a hat trick and Lewis Casson scored two, while Ruben Swallow and Freddie Cragg also found the net.

Carnforth Rangers won 5-0 at Slyne with Hest, largely down to four goals from Joe Wilkinson, three of those being from the penalty spot. Jack Johnson was Carnforth’s other scorer.

Pause United saw off Chipping 5-1 with doubles from Ben Roberts and Jack Preston and a Tom Knight goal.

Jonny Timbrell briefly levelled the scores early in the second half, but the floodgates opened for Pause to bag their next four soon after.

Croston Sports came from a goal down to beat Crooklands Casuals 4-1 while league leaders Hesketh Bank edged past Turton 2-1.

In Division Two, Storeys of Lancaster put seven past Hawcoat Park in a 7-2 win.

Reece Pearce scored three in the midst of four other Storeys players getting goals: Isaac Featon, Harry Baron, Joe Wareing and Dominic Hoyle.

At 2-0 down, Hawcoat Park had fought back to make it all square through Matty Roberts and Max Winder, but Storeys were just too strong in the second half.

Euxton Villa Reserves came away from Appley Bridge with a 4-1 win.

After Danny Atkins’ opener for the hosts, Euxton turned the game around before the break with goals from Connor Dalton and Tom Fletcher.

They got another two in the second half with Charlie Simmons finding the third before Fletcher secured his brace.

Langho continued their fine run of form with a 3-1 win over Bamber Bridge Reserves.

Harry Bedford and Joel Phelps gave Langho a healthy lead shortly after 30 minutes before Daniel Morris halved the deficit, but Tom Southern restored the hosts’ two- goal cushion with a quarter of an hour to go.

Mill Hill saw off Galgate 4-2 and Caton United beat Thornton Cleveleys Reserves 2-1.

There were goals aplenty in Reserve Division One, none more so than in new leaders’ Lostock St Gerard’s Reserves 5-4 win at Hesketh Bank Reserves, who LSG have replaced at the top.

LSG Reserves looked to be cruising to a 5-1 win but three goals in the final 10 from Hesketh made things a tad nervy, but the visitors clung on and got a big three points.

Elsewhere in the division, Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves beat Eagley Reserves in another goal-fest that ended 5-3 and Turton Reserves came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 away to Haslingden St Mary’s Reserves.

CMB Reserves edged past Carnforth Rangers Reserves 3-2 while Tempest United Reserves drew 1-1 with Chipping Reserves.

Storeys enjoyed big wins across both senior teams as their reserves beat Astley & Buckshaw Reserves 6-4 in Reserve Division Two.

Lytham Town Reserves beat Pause United Reserves 3-0, Croston Sports Reserves won 2-1 at Milnthorpe Corinthians and Rossendale and Stoneclough’s reserves settled for a 2-2 draw.

2022-23 Challenge Cup runners up Dalton United are through to this year’s final after a 5-2 win over Askam United at Ulverston Rangers’ ground.

Dalton were 3-1 up at half time through Robbie McMurdo, Corey Fittes and Josh Robinson, with Mason Laisby scoring for Askam.

Sam Purslow made it 3-2 early on in the second half but Robinson and Matthew Pearson’s late goals secured Dalton’s place in the final, where they will play either Carnforth Rangers or Euxton Villa Reserves.

Milnthorpe Corinthians are through to the Westmorland Senior Cup final after a 4-3 win on penalties against Kirby Stephen in the semi finals, following a 1-1 draw.

Garstang Reserves earned their place in the second round of the Presidents Cup via penalties, winning 3-1 from 12 yards after a 1-1 draw with Holker Old Boys Reserves.

Fulwood Amateurs Reserves progressed to the last four of the Lancashire Amateur Cup following a 3-0 win over FC St Helens Reserves.