Lytham's progress hamstrung by injury woes

They lost 5-2 to Division Two outfit Euxton Villa Reserves in the second round of the Challenge Cup.

Tom Fletcher and Thomas Henderson gave Euxton a two goal lead at the break, which was cut to one just before the hour through Olly Hesford.

Fletcher added his second before Charlie Simmons netted a double. Tom Kelsey grabbed a consolation goal in the fourth minute of added time.

“We just didn’t turn up,” said Best [i](pictured top left).

“They were a good outfit.

“They used their pitch well, you’d expect them to be good because their first team are flying.

“At 2-1 we had a couple of chances that I’m expecting my front three to take, and they got the ball and got the third which killed us a bit and knocked the wind out of our sails.

“We went for it a little bit, this left us a bit exposed hence why we conceded five.”[/i]

In the league, Lytham sit eighth in Division One but they are just eight points behind second placed Pause United - it’s a thrilling promotion race that will surely go all the way, and teams around them have differing numbers of games in hand.

Injuries have been a big issue for several teams this year but it seems it’s impacting Lytham more than most.

“We actually fancied ourselves to get amongst the promotion spots,” said Best.

"But with injuries and availability, it’s been tough so far.

“We’ve had some good performances, probably one of the more notable ones was when we went up to Ulverston Rangers with 12 men - a couple of reserves lads and two coming back from injury, and we battled to a 0-0 draw and overall we probably deserved to win.

“There’s been some tough moments too but there’s been some good ones too.

“Since Christmas, we keep losing two or three with hamstring issues and whatever.

“The pool to pick from isn’t the biggest because of that so it’s been hard to keep the two teams going, but we’re getting back slowly.”

Off the field, Lytham are looking at connecting the junior and senior sections, along with some exciting things building behind the scenes.

“We’re hoping that we’ve got big things going on in the background regarding the club, getting the club finally settled somewhere and bringing the juniors along with us.

“That will be massive because then we can have a look at the under 16s, the under 18s and see if there’s anyone that can come into the ressies rather than losing them to other local sides.”

Staying with the Challenge Cup, and Carnforth Rangers, who enjoyed back-to-back successes in this competition in 2023 and 2024, eased into the next round with a 5-0 win at Caton United.

Cam Holmes (2), Joe Jobling and Lewis Spurr (2) scored in the five-star display.

Late goals from Benson Moncrief and Sam Purslow gave Askam United a 4-2 win over Thornton Cleveleys Reserves, while Dalton United needed penalties (5-3) to see off Croston Sports, following another game that featured late goals in a 2-2 draw.

In the third round of the Richardson Cup, Kendal County triumphed 2-0 in a local derby against Kendal United. Matty Casson’s first half double gave them the win.

Burscough Richmond saw off opposition from two divisions in a 3-1 win versus Storeys, while Lostock St Gerards saw off Langho 3-0 in another Prem v Division Two clash.

Meanwhile, Eagley - flying high at the top of the Premier Division - defeated fellow top tier side Coppull United 4-2.

The Presidents’ Cup kicked off on Saturday and while the majority of games fell victim to the weather, there were three results, the biggest one coming for Whitehaven.

A 7-0 win over Hawcoat Park has earned them a place in the second round with five different scorers: Liam King, Keenan Mackay, Harley Cueto, Liam White (2) and Travis Fyfe (2).

Last year’s Challenge Cup champions Pause United secured their progress in the Presidents’ Cup with a 2-1 victory over Hurst Green, Ben McMeeking got both of their goals to continue his red-hot scoring streak.

Mill Hill defeated Stoneclough 3-1 in a statement victory against a side who had only lost twice this season prior to Saturday.

There was one Division Two game as Bamber Bridge Reserves enjoyed a 3-0 win at Walney Island with goals from Carson Greaves and Macauley Hopkins (2).

In Reserve Division One, second placed Lostock St Gerards Reserves recorded a 3-1 win over Carnforth Rangers Reserves, Coppull United Reserves scored three first half goals to see off Eagley Reserves 3-1 and Turton Reserves’ ruthless second half display gave them a 3-2 victory against Chipping Reserves.

Reserve Division Two’s three games delivered 18 goals: Thornton Cleveleys A beat Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves 5-2 to keep them two points behind top of the tree Hurst Green Reserves who defeated Storeys Reserves by the same scoreline.

Elsewhere, Rossendale Reserves edged past Fulwood Amateurs A 3-2.