Sun-drenched Sunday shows off best of West Lancs

It was Croston, Hesketh Bank and Burscough Richmond’s turn to host a match each on Sunday after a successful first four matches at Blackpool Wren Rovers, Askam, Dalton United and Ulverston.

A total of 1,179 people attending the three games on Sunday with two attendances over 400.

In the first game, Division One sides Croston Sports and Lytham Town met at Westhead Road and they both cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw in front of 371.

It leaves both clubs in sixth and eighth respectively.

Croston manager Stuart Birch said: “Lytham were better than us in the first half, we didn’t turn up, but we gave it a go second half. Two evenly matched sides and it’s a fair result.

"That’s seven games played and only one defeat in the seven so I’m happy.”

On the ‘Groundhop’ he added: “It’s been a fabulous event. It was a great atmosphere. Fantastic effort from everyone here and everyone who has travelled up. One bloke left at 4.10am from Surrey to get here!”

His Lytham counterpart Chris Best said: “It’s a hard earned point. It’s the first time I have seen us for a long time dig in for the full 90 minutes. Plenty of positives to take and I’ll take a point.

“It’s been a great day – I tip my hat to the West Lancs, at times I’m quite critical of them but I am appreciative of what they have done, it’s been a pleasure to be part of.”

It was less cagey in the 2pm kick off at Hesketh Bank as the home side showed a clinical edge to go in 4-0 at the break against Turton.

It finished 6-2 with 401 counted in the ground.

Hesketh Bank manager Dan Birkby was delighted with the win which moves them into third.

“We were in control for most of the game, we have missed a lot of chances,” said Birkby, who got on the scoresheet himself late on.

“This set of players we’ve got can beat anyone on their day and we had a bit of a blip last week at Ulverston.

"Just shows how strong this division is. Turton will beat teams this season – it’s going to be a battle all the way to the end.

His dugout partner James Smith said: “We’ve pulled together as a local community and it’s been excellent.

"It’s been great to have 400 people here, we’re proud of it and the lads have represented the club really well and it’s been a pleasure to be involved in it.”

Turton chairman Peter Gray said the event had whetted his appetite to be a host in a future West Lancs Groundhop.

“It was a great occasion. First of all well done to these guys for putting the effort in to what would undoubtedly have been done today. They have been great hosts and the weather helped too.

“As Lancashire’s oldest club, as you well know, we’d love to host a game and show off our lovely little corner of Lancashire to everybody.”

In the final game at 5pm, Burscough Richmond snatched a dramatic 89th minute winner in a tenacious battle with Lostock St Gerards in front of 407 spectators.

The away side controlled the first half and despite Burscough rattling the post, Lostock deservedly went ahead on 34 minutes, a curling shot from Josh Sarda finding the bottom corner.

Jordan Lorde was denied at the near post early in the second half while Lostock looked dangerous on the break with Mason Mackay almost doubling the lead with a deft lob.

Burscough equalised in the 75th minute with a shot from Zach Carberry found the far corner.

And then Jordan Lorde’s clever lay off found Harry Avis who volleyed home off the inside of the post as the clock clicked down to the 90.

Manager Anthony Murt was full of praise for both sides.
“I thought Lostock were superb across the board – the two forwards were as good as we’ve faced all season.

"They were aggressive, strong and quick and I said at half time we had to match them.

“But I’m proud of the way the lads bounced back and it was a tough game and it could have gone either way.”

Chris Ganner, of Lostock St Gerards, was left to rue missed chances at 1-0.

“It was a game that for 90% of it we dominated, yet we’ve conceded two scratty goals. What should have been three points we’re going home with none.

“In the second half I think we had four one on ones with the keeper and we’ve got to take those chances.”