At last able to escape the shackles of the winter weather, the West Lancashire League was back in full force this weekend, with goals and drama aplenty across the divisions.
Premier Division: CMB climb to the top after seven-goal thriller
We start this edition of the round-up at Poulton, who faced CMB in a clash of two of the Premier Division’s title-chasers.
And what looked a tasty clash on paper didn’t disappoint, with CMB eventually clinching a 4-3 win with a late penalty.
The visitors led twice in the first half through Dylan Winstanley and Daniel Locke, only to see those goals cancelled out by Mitchell Cheetham and Nick Hepple respectively.
A Jacob Gregory penalty would make it 3-2 to Poulton after the break, only for Oliver Turner to level the game again just six minutes later, before Daniel Crook’s spot kick two minutes from time restored CMB’s advantage for a decisive third time.
That results sends CMB to the summit, albeit having played two games more than second-placed Burscough Richmond, with whom they are now level on points, while Poulton, with the most games completed out of the three sides sit a point adrift in third.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, a brace from Billy Cartmell helped Thornton Cleveleys on their way to a 5-0 win over Tempest United. Jordan Moran, Adam Sumner and Callum Dickinson also got on the scoresheet.
Turton survived a second-half rally from Wyre Villa to secure a 4-2 victory.
Dylan Jeffs opened the scoring just six minutes in, before a quickfire double from Sam Rigby had Turton 3-0 up at the break.
However, goals from Zach Adeyo and Mahamadou Diallo made it 3-2 and gave Wyre Villa hope of completing an unlikely comeback.
Those aspirations would be shortlived though, as Ricardo Pembele added a fourth for Turton just two minutes later to secure the win for his side.
Vickerstown would also pick up a 4-2 win this weekend, triumphing over Lytham Town thanks to goals from Jackson Round, Jordan Dix, Scott McDonald and Rob Bruce. Tom Pickervance and Adam Worthington were the scorers for Lytham Town.
And rounding off Saturday’s Premier Division action, Slyne with Hest won 1-0 at Whitehaven, with the game’s only goal coming courtesy of Liam Breslin.
Click HERE to catch up on the Lancashire and Westmorland FA County Cup action from Saturday
Division One: Haslingden St Mary’s hammer home five
Two goals from Lewis Hanley set Haslingden St Mary’s on their way to an impressive 5-1 away win at Ulverston Rangers.
Hanley’s double came either side of a goal from Ulverston Rangers’ Sean Mooney, before goals from Jacob Bridges, Jordan Lewis and Harvey Hayhurst secured an ultimately comfortable victory for the visitors.
Meanwhile, Lostock St Gerards got a jump on title rivals Hesketh Bank and Rossendale, who were both out of league action this weekend, as they picked up three points at Kendal County.
St Gerards, now up to second, took the lead through Tom Stead, but would see that goal cancelled out by the hosts’ Jacob Carway.
However, Adam Stammers would restore the visitors’ lead with 15 minutes to play to secure a valuable win.
A Dion Holden double, the latter coming from the penalty spot, put the icing on a 4-0 Croston Sports win over Hawcoat Park, that after Harvey Parker and Ryan Fletcher had also found the net.
Crooklands Casuals fought from two down to rescue a point at home against Millom.
The visitors led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Harry Cowley and Ben McDonald.
However, quickfire strikes from Nathan Tracey and Ryan Rodgers in the 70th and 72nd minute respectively would see Crooklands Casuals rally to claim a 2-2 draw.
Horwich St Mary’s Victoria and Carnforth Rangers would also have to settle for a share of the spoils, as Jonny Ash saw his goal cancelled out by Alex MacKenzie in a 1-1 draw.
And we end our round-up of Division One with another draw at Southport Hesketh, where their clash with Stoneclough ended goalless.
Division Two: Chipping crash Holker Old Boys Reserves’ party
Chipping recorded one of the standout results of the weekend, as they brought an emphatic end to Holker Old Boys Reserves’ 100% home league record, beating the league leaders 5-0.
Harris Bailey bagged a brace, whilst Matthew Shorrock, Greg Trimbell and Jack Fletcher also got on the scoresheet.
Second-placed Freckleton pounced on a rare off day for the leaders, cutting the gap at the top to four points with a game in hand, with 4-2 win at Storeys.
Graham Lyons started and finished the visitors’ scoring, whilst Joe Bentley and Jordan Wilder also found the net. Jamie Hastings and Matthew Poole were the scorers for Storeys.
It was a big weekend too for Galgate, who registered just their second win of the season, coming from behind to beat Pause United 2-1.
Pause United’s Sol Fenton opened the scoring, before goals from Mohamed Ainine and Malcolm Manteaw secure Galgate three vital points.
There was late drama at Astley and Buckshaw, who rescued a 2-2 draw with Walney Island thanks to a 94th minute Kurt Robinson equaliser.
A late own goal looked to have handed the visitors all three points, that after Wes Bajrallu and James Bailey had earlier found the net for their respective sides.
But there was just enough time for one last twist, and for Robinson to secure a point for Astley and Buckshaw.
Garstang Reserves would also have a late hero in the form of Danny Squires, with his last-minute strike sealing a 2-1 win at Cartmel, that after Lewis Heap had seen his opener cancelled out by the hosts’ Jamie Airey.
AFC Blackpool Reserves would also triumph by a 2-1 scoreline as they picked up a home win over Charnock Richard Reserves thanks to goals from Freddie Kenyon and Tyler Hallam. Luke Charnley pulled one back for the visitors late on.
And completing Division Two, a Bobby Carter brace handed Burnley United a 2-0 win over Dalton United.
Division One Reserve: Fulwood Amateurs Reserves bring the firepower
Kane Froggatt was the pick of the scorers as Fulwood Amateurs registered a 9-0 win over Croston Sports Reserves.
Froggatt netted a hat-trick, whilst Hugo Strand, Cory Gill, Noah Hindley, Sammy Higham, Josh Taylor and James Sidebottom all grabbed a goal apiece.
Hurst Green Reserves also picked up a big victory, beating Horwich St Mary’s Victoria Reserves 7-0.
Gary Knight scored three, Louis James secured a brace, with Sam Whittaker and Max Bryden also finding the net.
Division Two Reserve: Lucky 13 for Rossendale Reserves
Rossendale Reserves put on a remarkable display of scoring this weekend, as they registered a 13-1 win over Fulwood Amateurs A.
There were two hat-tricks, for Scott Wylie and Luke Simpson, Tom Hartley and Michael Saunders both scored twice, whilst Will Foster, Henry Hindle and Paul Stannard also grabbed a goal each.
Curtis Graham also netted a double for Carnforth Rangers Reserves as they beat Storeys Reserves 5-0. Keaton Hockham, Oliver Paterson and Kieran Gorton also got on the scoresheet.
And rounding off Saturday’s league action, Lytham Town Reserves picked up a 2-0 win over Chipping Reserves thanks to goals from Leyton Collier and Ric Tomlinson.
Stewart Rowe Memorial Cup: Five-star Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves into round two
Saturday also saw the belated completion of a number of Stewart Rowe Memorial Cup first round ties.
Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves advanced to the second round with a 5-2 win at Coppull United Reserves.
Connor Taff scored twice for the visitors, whilst their other goals came courtesy of Steve McEwan, Luke Smith and an own goal. Jonty Mattock and Scott Hendy were Coppull United Reserves’ scorers.
Two goals from Harry Dixon helped CMB Reserves past Tempest United Reserves 4-2.
Josh Pope and Scott McNair rounded off CMB Reserves’ scoring, whilst Tempest United Reserves’ goals came courtesy of Nick Skelly and Jack Rawnsley.
There was yet more double delight, this time for Dan Fryer and Lostock St Gerards Reserves, as they beat Poulton Reserves 3-1.
Adam Whittaker also found the net for Lostock St Gerards Reserves, whilst Jarrod Bain got Poulton Reserves’ only goal.
And finally this weekend, Haslingden St Marys Reserves advanced 3-1 on penalties, that after their tie with Turton Reserves had ended 3-3.
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