Langho boss' relief at opening day win as newcomers start with a bang

Langho started life in the West Lancashire League with a 3-2 win at Caton United.

The Division Two new boys, situated between Blackburn and Clitheroe, have been consistently competing at the top end of the East Lancashire League Premier Division for many years now and saw their application to join the West Lancs accepted this summer.

Langho have enquired in previous seasons about joining but only submitted a formal application in recent months, and manager Charlie Higham (pictured) - who has been with the first team for three years - is hoping that his side will be part of a ‘competitive’ division.

“It was a now or never situation for us to be honest, the club’s put in a lot of work across all the age groups and bringing players to a West Lancs side is very attractive.

“The league have been excellent, on the evening we were accepted many people came up and congratulated us.

“Our social media has grown as well over the summer and yesterday Caton were great sports.”

Lewis Cumpsty and Sam Musker gave them a 2-0 lead but Zach Leigh cut the deficit on the stroke of half time. It was restored by Dave Robinson early in the second half before Caton got a second through Edward Harrison.

The result came as a big relief for Higham.

“Historically we have struggled on the opening day, so it was great to get three points on the board yesterday.

“We were pretty comfortable until we gave a penalty away at 3-1 up, we saved the penalty but then after that the game got a bit frantic after that.

“We’ve got nine games in August and that will be a challenge so getting that first win was crucial.”

Higham has said the club’s objective for this season is consolidation in a league where there are ‘no weak teams’ but, having held their own against Premier Division sides in pre-season, there’s every reason to believe they could finish higher.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Mill Hill had a return to form with a 5-1 victory at Hawcoat Park which saw them finish the opening round top of the tree, while Fulwood Amateurs Reserves enjoyed a 5-2 win over Euxton Villa Reserves in their first game in the division, with Wes Enoma bagging three.

Another hat trick hero was Lewis Pilgrim, who picked up from where he left off last season in a 4-1 win for Bamber Bridge Reserves at Galgate.

Eagley were among last season’s lowest scorers in the Premier Division last season but made a huge statement on opening day with a 6-1 win over Milnthorpe Corinthians.

Kieran Lomax and Finlay Stafford both scored braces, with Daniel Fairhurst and Sam Crook also finding the net.

Blackpool Wren Rovers came from two goals down to beat Rossendale 5-2.

Scott Wylie and Jack Mouncey had Rossendale two to the good but Wren Rovers were ruthless in the second half and after Cormac Murray and Danny Fletcher brought things level, they were ahead on the hour mark courtesy of Fletcher, before Charlie King and Ric Seear added two more.

CMB were regularly early scorers in their games last season, but had to rely on late goals to secure a point on matchday one.

Hurst Green were in a comfortable position for large parts of the game with a two goal cushion for around 75 to 80 minutes, but Benji Lilley, Dan Crook and Carl Grimshaw’s strikes - all in the final 15 minutes of proceedings - rescued a point.

Lostock St Gerards defeated last season’s league champions Tempest United 3-1 thanks to goals from Reece Thompson, Dale Bury and Mason McKay.

There were two comprehensive victories in Division One.

Pause United won Division Two in style last season and made it clear that they are wanting to repeat that success this time round, with a thumping 7-1 win over Turton.

Last season’s top scorer across the whole league, Zach Clark, was back in the goalscoring action with a hat trick.

Ben Roberts, Ben McMeeking, Tomas Knight and Roger Sharrock also got goals.

That wasn’t the only 7-1 win as Lytham Town defeated Crooklands Casuals by the same scoreline, with five different scorers: Leyton Collier (2), Kian Kelly (2), Tom Eastham, Lachlan Best and Will Eastham. Six of those goals were scored in the final half an hour, and four in the last 10 as the floodgates opened.

In Reserve Division One, Turton Reserves were on the winning side of a nine-goal thriller against Poulton Reserves in a 5-4 win.

Last year’s division champions Blackpool Wren Rovers drew 1-1 with Hesketh Bank Reserves, finding the equaliser five minutes before time.

In Reserve Division Two, Thornton Cleveleys enjoyed the biggest win of the weekend with an 11-1 victory over Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves.

Finally, Rossendale Reserves beat Croston Sports 5-4, and if those sorts of scoreline set the tone, we are in for another fascinating West Lancs season.