Eyes on the prize for in-form Tempest

Ross McNair’s side secured a 2-1 win over Mill Hill on Saturday to progress to the third round of the Richardson Cup.

James Dean opened the scoring for Tempest on 25 minutes but Division Two outfit Mill Hill equalised with seven minutes of regular time remaining.

There was, though, more goal action to come: Tim Raines got a vital, late winner to ensure his side’s name in the hat for the next round.

McNair (pictured right in bobble hat) said: “The game was an opportunity for a lot of the lads who haven’t had the game time that they would’ve liked.

“Mill Hill were a really good side, they impressed me.

“In the first half we should’ve been two or three up, there wasn’t too much of a threat but in the second half they gave us a really good game.

“It’s just good that we got through rather than anything else.

“Mill Hill were a great set of lads, both players and the management team.”

Tempest won the Richardson Cup back in 2022 in comprehensive fashion and, for McNair, further silverware would be very pleasing.

“The league is a priority and, although we have a bit of catching up to do, we can do it. We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves.

“The LFA Shield is something we’re going to focus on and try and do well in too.”

As for league form, McNair is happy with how Tempest are faring after a slower start than expected, with the side now having won 10 of their last 11 across all competitions.

They sit 4th in a very competitive top half, where only leaders Eagley have real daylight between themselves and the team below them.

“It’s important that we keep winning and putting the pressure on the teams that are around us.

“We need to keep finding consistency and let’s see what happens.”

McNair says the club are content with staying in the league and “are going in the right direction”.

“We’ve always been quite comfortable as we are in the West Lancs League, the quality of football is so good.

“As a club there’s no ambition of going into the North West Counties, you only have to look at our game and other games this weekend to see there’s great teams across all divisions.”

Tempest United have been a strong, united force on and off the field in the last 12 months following the passing of chairman Alan Westhead last November.

Alan had a lifelong commitment to the club in various roles over 60 years and last season’s Premier Division win - the first in their history - was dedicated to him.

The football club continue to grow and improve with his legacy always in their thoughts.

“We are a great community club and the committee are superb, anything that I need doing, I only need to ask once.

“We’re looking at improving the pitch and making it look really good, as well as bringing youth teams through, from under 9s onwards.

“With the loss of Alan, we had to all dig in and understand what role we all played within the club because Alan did everything!

“We are rebuilding all the time, there’s lots more to come from Tempest United and not just on the pitch, off it too.

“You should’ve seen what it was like yesterday in the clubhouse, it was absolutely packed and we get that all the time - every Saturday and Sunday, even when there’s not a game on.

“We are a real community club.”

Other results in the cup featured Division Two side Storeys getting a 3-1 win over Premier Division outfit CMB, Ryan Close’s hat-trick securing a 4-1 win for Kendal County over Pause United and Eagley seeing off Rossendale 3-1.

There were also wins for Astley & Buckshaw, Blackpool Wren Rovers, Burscough Richmond, Cleator Moor Celtic, Coppull United and Millom.

In the Premier Division, Lostock St Gerarda climbed into the top three with a 4-0 win at Milnthorpe Corinthians.

Josh Sarda and Ben Harrison got a goal each, either side of a Taylor Brickell double.

Poulton secured a 3-1 win over high-flying Haslingden St Mary’s, thanks to goals from Toby Scammell, Mitch Cheetham and Tyler Hallan.

Division One pacesetters Hesketh Bank extended their lead at the top to five points but were pushed all the way by an impressive Kendal United side in a 3-2 win.

Kevin Edgar put the home side ahead on six minutes only for Joe Dodds to equalise from close range seven minutes later.

The away side more than matched their hosts with livewire striker Joe Hodgson a constant menace.

Only a defensive error allowed Hesketh Bank to retake the lead on 66 minutes, Mo Samateh slotting home from 15 yards.

Edgar gave Dan Birkby's men breathing space with a similar finish eight minutes from time.

But still Kendal kept going and Bradley Zawe set up a grandstand finish with a clinical strike from just inside the box in the third minute of injury time.

Hesketh Bank held on to make it nine wins from 12 games in the league this season.

Crooklands Casuals scored twice in the closing 15 minutes to win 2-1 at home to Askam United, with Luke Armstrong and Kyle Delves netting in the comeback win.

Stoneclough continued their perfect form in Division Two with a 4-2 win over Hawcoat Park which saw them go top.

Addison Lomax-Small (2), Aaqil Campbell and Kenny Corvelli all found the net as Stoneclough went two points clear with a game in hand on chasers Fulwood Amateurs Reserves.

Langho recovered from an early Charnock Richard Reserves goal to secure a 3-1 away win - Joel Phelps, Adam Bolton and James Billington with the goals.

Caton United and Walney Island drew 1-1 with Jack Curwen and Josh Jones on the scoresheet for their respective sides.

In Reserve Division One, CMB Res recorded a convincing 5-0 win over Chipping Res which puts them just two points and one place behind their opponents, while Eagley Res picked up an important first away win of the season, defeating Poulton Res 3-0.

Thornton Cleveleys A remain top of Reserve Division Two after a 3-3 draw with Lytham Town Res, while Rossendale Res won 2-0 versus Pause United Res thanks to a Brandon Halstead double.

In the first round of the Challenge Cup, Carnforth Rangers, Croston Sports, Dalton United and Lytham Town all progressed away from home.

Several West Lancs sides progressed to the next round of the Lancashire Amateur Cup: Bamber Bridge Res, Blackpool Wren Rovers Res, Fulwood Amateurs Res, Garstang Res, Lostock St Gerards Res and Thornton Cleveleys Res.