Optimism high at Galgate to avoid end-of-season Groundhog Day

The Division Two side narrowly lost 2-1 at home to Langho on yet another Saturday when the rain called off many fixtures, but those that went ahead produced some interesting results.

Oliver Jordan gave Galgate the lead on 22 minutes before James Billington levelled things up on the stroke of half time. Adam Bolton scored the winner on 55 minutes.

“I think we started the first half really well,” said Hudson (pictured)[i], who took charge early last year.

"We took the lead and put ourselves into a really good position.

“We seem to have a habit of conceding goals late on in the first half and just not being able to get over the line to half time.

“We started brightly in the second half too but our goalkeeper went down injured and we had to put an outfield player there as we had no substitute ‘keeper, which is never helpful.

“In terms of the bigger picture, the lads put in a good performance for us.”

Hudson believes there are reasons to be optimistic at Galgate, who sit 13th out of 16 teams and two points clear of the bottom two.

The team have one particular goal which would already make next season a whole lot easier.

“It was been a fairly consistent squad to who played last week and we’re starting to show some signs of growth and improvement, which at this moment of the season is important.

“Last season, we had to reapply to the league after we finished bottom - we definitely don’t want to be doing that again.

“We’re confident in the lads we’ve got and confident we can end the season strong.

“Hopefully we can fend off the chasing pack from below us and if we can reel Garstang Reserves in as well, that would be nice but we’re aware that they have got a few games in hand on us so that’s a tougher test.”

The club are on the look out for more players to join their first team, particularly those who hail from the area, and have pushed their recruitment plans out onto social media.

There are also preliminary aspirations about more teams at Galgate for younger players, such as a reserve or development side.

“We’re already seeing positive signs, we’ve had good responses to some of the efforts that we’ve been putting in recently to try and get new faces through the door.

“We’ve already had some new lads that have been really positive additions and a few expressions of interest as well.

“It’s just about trying to get lads down to training, having a look at them and seeing what they can offer and hopefully they can find a place within our team where they’ve got the ability to grow.”

Elsewhere in Division Two, Fulwood Amateurs Res have taken an edge in the title race after seeing off nearest rivals Stoneclough 3-2 in a nervy game at Preston Sports Arena.

Neither side could make the breakthrough in a first half of few chances but a three goal blitz in six minutes appeared to have won the game comfortably for the leaders.

Joe Slinger headed home on 57 minutes and Hugo Strand doubled the advantage two minutes later, rounding Nathan Yates to slot home.

Alfie Raymond added a third at the back post on 63 minutes to stun the visitors.

But to their credit, Stoneclough refused to buckle.

Aaqil Campbell’s left foot strike was diverted into the path of Joe Howlin who slammed home from six yards with 13 minutes left to play.

And Howlin’s glancing header on 88 minutes set up a grandstand finish.

But Fulwood held on to secure their 10th straight home league win of the season.

Storeys enjoyed a 6-1 win at home to Hawcoat Park to strengthen their position in the top three. Joe Wareing scored a hat trick, while Joel Creech, Noah Hindley and Daniel Palin also found the net.

Matthew Bulcock scored three as Mill Hill came away from Walney Island as 5-0 winners, while Garstang Reserves’ strong first half showing earned them a 3-1 victory at Appley Bridge.

Dalton United v Thornton Cleveleys was abandoned after 60 minutes due to heavy rainfall.

There were three five-star performances in the Premier Division, starting with second placed Lostock St Gerards who won 5-1 at Hurst Green.

The game was level for the majority of the first half after Scott Craven cancelled out Reece Thompson’s opener, but Josh Sarda scored LSG’s second just before the break, and added their third on 71 minutes.

Jordan Griffiths and Ashton Cookson got their names on the scoresheet in the final five minutes.

Current champions Tempest United saw off Coppull United 5-0, with Josh Frith bagging a hat trick along with goals from Tom Booth and Ste Ward.

Blackpool Wren Rovers beat Cleator Moor Celtic 5-2 in a game that started with very high energy. It was 3-1 with 20 minutes gone thanks to Alfie Tomlinson, Joe Preston and Liam Wenman’s strikes with a Leo Brennan goal for Cleator in the mix too.

Leon Dymtroski cut the gap to just one goal on 57 minutes but Wren Rovers strengthened and secured their advantage later in the half through Cormac Murray and Ric Seear.

Division One produced the most eye-catching scoreline of the afternoon as Kendal County won 9-2 against Holker Old Boys Reserves on home turf.

It was a game that the hosts were always in control of, going 3-0 up inside 12 minutes through Louis Miller, Matty Casson and Ruben Swallow.

Kris Worsley and Lewis Casson’s first half goals were sandwiched in-between a Faryl Foster double for the visitors, but Kendal pushed on again after Foster’s brace was completed.

Swallow and both Cassons bagged their second goals and Cammy Khan also found the net in what was a ruthless display by the division’s second placed side.

Croston Sports edged out Slyne with Hest in a 3-2 win against a side who have noticeably improved in recent weeks.

Croston started well with Ric Tomlinson sending them in front five minutes in, only for Jakub Kowalik to peg them back soon after.

Kowalik scored his and Slyne’s second shortly after the break but Isaac Hayes restored parity for Croston almost immediately.

Kurt Robinson scored the winner on 81 minutes to move Croston Sports up to fourth.

In Reserve Division One, Eagley Reserves secured a 3-2 win over Poulton Reserves.

Poulton clawed back level from losing positions twice before in the game, as Luke Holden’s goals to make it 1-0 and 2-1 were cancelled out by Anthony Utomi and Elliott Sellers, but Spencer Challinor’s goal on 75 minutes got Eagley Res over the line.

Finally, CMB Reserves defeated Tempest United Reserves 3-0 thanks to goals from Callum Walsh, Yazz Smajic and Lewis Cullen.