Will this season be fourth time lucky for Birkby and co?

They beat Crooklands Casuals 2-0 away from home with Edgar scoring both goals.

“I was really pleased with the win because it’s tough travelling up to Barrow, and they might be towards the bottom of the league but they’re not bad at all”, said Birkby.

“They made it hard for us and we missed a few big chances, hitting the bar and post but it’s a good win.

“Crooklands Casuals always set themselves up well, I’ve played against them through the years and they are always tough to beat.”

Birkby was pleased with Edgar’s display but stressed that goals this season are coming from across the pitch, and not just from the league’s top scorer (19).

“Kev’s a great goal scorer, he’s a great lad to manage.

“I’ve been involved in senior football and with Hesketh Bank for 25 years and I’ve never seen anyone strike a ball like him.

“If we get a free kick, he takes them and, it can be anywhere, you think ‘he’s going to score’.

“He hits the ball with purpose and nine times out of ten he’ll score.

“I hear a lot of teams say we’re a one-man team though and, people might think that, but we beat Chipping 7-0 and had seven different scorers.

“He’s not a selfish goal scorer, he’s just very good for the level and, to be fair, a lot of our players are and they could play in any West Lancs League side.”

Birkby and Hesketh Bank’s aim for the season was promotion, having fallen short in the last four seasons, in all of which they finished third.

However, he admits the side are “exceeding” expectations with a very healthy points tally heading into the festive fixtures.

“I’d never expected us to have 40 points before Christmas, especially after August.

“Our August was still decent but we picked up four or five injuries and still managed to keep winning.

“We’ve done all our long trips now which, in this league, is good to get out of the way.

“I feel like we’re in a really strong position but I’m not going to get too excited just yet.

“I’d rather be where we are than chasing.

“Carnforth Rangers can catch us if they win all their games in hand (played six less than Hesketh and are 17 points behind), and being honest I think they’re the strongest side we’ve played at home this season.

“We beat them 2-1 and I think they’ll push us all the way as the season goes on, as will Ulverston Rangers and Lytham Town who look good.”

Away from match days, things are in a great place too.

“The pitch is the best it’s ever looked.

“We invested heavily a couple of seasons ago and it’s really showing now.

“The ground staff and the work they put in, when they’re unpaid too, is brilliant.

“The senior sides, so the first and second team, haven’t been this strong for, I’d say, 20 years.

“We do need investment to go forward which I think a lot of clubs at this level do struggle with.

“We’re looking at new changing rooms and our 3G is being relayed in June which is good.

“It’s always the next step and the aim is to get into the Premier Division and to hopefully challenge in that league.

“The reserves go top if they win on Saturday and there’s a few lads in there that could play in the first team.

“James Smith who helps me on a Saturday reinvented the junior section a few years ago and now we’ve got teams at every junior level from under 5s to under 18s so it looks so strong.

“We had a discussion on the way up to Crooklands Casuals about how we can get money in, and we look at the way that the likes of Euxton Villa have structured themselves and how they’ve pushed on.”

Many games were postponed due to yet more wet and bitter conditions, but elsewhere in Division One, Holker Old Boys Reserves got their first home win of the season - and in style - as they beat Kendal United 6-1, with Faryl Foster bagging a hat trick.

Turton leapfrogged opponents Slyne with Hest at the bottom of the table after a 1-0 win, Richard Woodward with the only goal five minutes in.

In the Premier Division, unbeaten Eagley extended their lead at the top to nine points with a 2-1 win over their nearest title contenders Haslingden St Mary’s.

Kieran Sisson and Sam Crook got Eagley’s goals, either side of a Charlie Holt leveller.

Third placed Lostock St Gerards produced a five-star display against Cleator Moor Celtic.

Dale Bury scored three as LSG eased to a 5-0 win.

Poulton secured a 2-1 win at Burscough Richmond thanks to goals from Dan Smith and Tyler Hallan.

Hurst Green came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with CMB - Jordan Monk bagged a brace after Anthony Hough and Dylan Winstanley had given CMB a two goal advantage.

In Division Two, Langho came away from Storeys of Lancaster with a 4-0 win that now puts them level on points with their opponents and strengthens their position in the top five.

That result gave Euxton Villa Reserves the opportunity to climb into the top three, and they seized it with a 3-2 win at Mill Hill.

Charnock Richard Reserves left it late to beat Walney Island, Michael Rogers-Nwoke scored in the 90th minute to give his side a 3-2 victory.

Meanwhile, Caton United and Galgate played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in a local clash.

In Reserve Division One, second placed Hesketh Bank Reserves kept up their perfect home record with a 4-2 win versus CMB Reserves, while Poulton Reserves secured a 3-1 away win over Carnforth Rangers Reserves.

Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves v Rossendale Reserves was the pick of the action in Reserve Division Two, with the nine-goal thriller ending 5-4 to the hosts.

Ben Newton scored a late winner, completing a superb turnaround after being 4-2 down on 75 minutes.

Olly Hesford scored the only goal as Lytham Town Reserves edged out Pause United Reserves 1-0.

In the preliminary round of the Stewart Rowe Memorial Cup, Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves cruised to a 5-0 win over Chipping Reserves; Ryan Butters netted a hat trick.

Coppull United Reserves saw off Eagley Reserves 4-3, with Scott Hendy’s 89th-minute goal proving the winner.

Lostock St Gerards Reserves progressed on penalties against Tempest United after it finished 4-4 in extra time.

Finally, in the third round of the Lancashire Amateur Cup, Fulwood Amateurs convincingly beat Burnley Belvedere 8-1, while Garstang Reserves bowed out after defeat to Wigan Road.