Fletcher on fire for upwardly-mobile Villa

The result moves them up to fourth in Division Two.

Tom Fletcher scored four goals to become joint top scorer in the division, with James Hale and David Prout also finding the back of the net.

“Very pleased with the performance," said Lee.

“In the first half, we were really good, 4-0 up at half time and we outworked and outfought Walney.

“To be fair to them, they stepped it up in the second half and made it a lot harder for us but we got a couple of extra goals so overall it was pleasing.

“We were able to give the whole squad some decent game time too which isn’t always the case.”

Lee has been reserves gaffer for three seasons having previously been a player and a junior coach at the club, the association he has with them spanning more than 30 years.

This is the season that the team were looking about making a step up, and the belief is still there that it is possible.

“At the start of the season, we’d have liked to get promoted and out of the division and also have a good run in the cups.

“We just need a bit more consistency right now, we’ve had a couple of good results recently but a couple of bad ones too.

“A reserves team manager’s role is primarily to win games but we’re also there to support the first team.

“It’s affected us a couple of times this season where they’ve taken a couple of our players and then you’ve also got first team players coming back from injury that need to play.

“There’s a big change in your starting 11 week to week.

“We’re also trying to develop young players that are coming through the junior section of the club, so we’re providing a pathway for those.”

The development of the reserves and the juniors has changed in recent years at the same time as the first team have been enjoying huge success in the North West Counties.

“Historically, we’ve run an older reserves team and been in reserve divisions but now we want to utilise the pool of young players that are coming through the club, and if they’re good enough, get them into the first team.

“The first team were promoted to the North West Counties Premier Division last season and we’ve got new facilities, a state of the art 4G pitch, that obviously meant we could play yesterday, so that’s all very positive.

“We’ve had quite a few 17 year olds in the squad that have all come through the junior ranks and a couple of 19 or 20 year olds who have done the same, so that’s something to be really proud of.

“It’s all looking positive at the moment.”

Elsewhere in Division Two, despite many games falling victim to Storm Claudia, Galgate claimed a vital and convincing three points over Hawcoat Park, who they defeated 6-1.

Oliver Jordan got four and Martin McCubbin and Jonathan Thom also scored.

Dalton United inflicted a first defeat of the season on the previously perfect Stoneclough in a 2-1 win.

Josh Robinson and Nathan Adams scored first half goals which Stoneclough could only respond to through a second half Jordan Wignall consolation.

In the Premier Division, Rossendale moved eight points clear of their opponents and the drop zone with a 3-0 win over Coppull United - Jack Mouncey, Tom Hartley and Luke Simpson on the scoresheet.

Eagley are now the only team in the first team divisions to stay unbeaten so far this season; they won 1-0 at Tempest United thanks to a Daniel Fairhurst goal.

Milnthorpe Corinthians and Cleator Moor Celtic played out a 1-1 draw as Josh Palmer’s opener for the visitors was very quickly cancelled out by Tim Blamire.

In Division One, Chipping romped to a 9-1 victory over Freckleton.

Ben Price (2), Harris Bailey (2), Gareth Jones, Zach Wilson (2), Jack Fletcher and Kane Froggatt all found the net to secure their most comfortable win of the season by some distance.

Pause United secured a 3-2 win at Slyne with Hest in a local clash: Will Prince, Taylor Fagan and Ben Roberts netted for Pause, whereas Ryan Clark and Callum Moore bagged for the hosts.

In Reserve Division One, Carnforth Rangers Reserves defeated Coppull United Reserves 5-0, with three of the goals coming in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Meanwhile, Hesketh Bank Reserves earned a 2-0 win over Tempest United Reserves and Eagley and Turton’s reserve sides had to settle for a goalless draw.

Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves progressed to the next stage of the Lancashire Amateur Cup in style with a 7-0 win at Astley FC.

Bamber Bridge Reserves came out 5-3 winners in a thrilling clash with Great Harwood Reserves in the same competition, while Thornton Cleveleys Reserves edged past Vickerstown 3-2.