Jack's the lad for conveyor belt club Walney Island

As Steve Brennan counted down the final nervous minutes to his side’s belated first win of the season, Walney Island’s legacy was continuing to grow further up the M6.

The Division Two side had lost three on the bounce but got off the mark at the fourth time of asking with a 3-2 Tuesday night win at Dalton United.

At the same time, up at Carlisle City in the Northern League, former Walney striker James Bailey was banging in yet another goal for Kendal Town.

Walney Island have become a conveyor belt of talent with six players leaving this summer, many going to higher division clubs, including star midfielder Zach Walker who joined Bailey at Kendal Town this summer – a jump of four divisions.

It often leave them feeling they're starting afresh each August – but Brennan (pictured with Walker and Bailey above) couldn’t be prouder.

“James and Zach had been with us since they were seven-years-old,” said Brennan.

“They had bags of talent but they never missed a training session, never missed a game. And they only got better for it.

"James has hit 40-odd goals for two seasons running and Zach started really well at Kendal until he got injured.

“They’re playing with better players but they’re the sort of lads to soak up every bit of advice they get.

"We’re sponsoring them this season as we want to put something back in. A few of us jump in a car and go and watch them when we don’t have a game. It’s a bit of pride seeing them doing so well.”

And Bailey and Walker may not be the last off Walney’s production line – young Brad Tippett has stepped up from the U16s and is impressing in Walker’s old role while the club’s vibrant youth section means the belt will keep turning.

The difference on Tuesday though was hat-trick hero Jack Litherland – a player Brennan wishes was available every game.

“Jack plays cricket on a Saturday so he’s seeing that season out and playing with us midweek. We’ve another lad who is playing rugby. Many of the lads work in the shipyards and with the shift patterns, our availability is sometimes all over the place.

"We had one lad come just for the second half when he finished work at 10 to seven. That’s how it is.

“When you’ve lost three on the bounce you can see the lack of confidence in the changing room but we did well and saw the game out and I was delighted.

“We’ve a tough game now down at Fulwood on Saturday. But we love our days out – well, the lads do, I’ve got to drive the bus back!”

Elsewhere in Division Two, Jordan Wignall was the star with a hat-trick as Stoneclough made it four wins from four with a 4-0 victory at Appley Bridge.

Thornton Cleveleys Res also have a perfect record after a rip-roaring 6-3 win over Charnock Richard Res, a late brace from Horatio Medley confirming the win.

Also on 12 points, and now leading on goal difference, are Fulwood Amateurs Reserves after their come-from-behind 3-1 win at Garstang.

Mill Hill enjoyed a 2-0 win at Galgate.

In Division One, Hesketh Bank and Lytham Town went into their clash with 100% records and both sides cancelled each other out in an entertaining first 30 minutes, shaded by the Fylde coast visitors.

Tony Bond broke the deadlock on 34 minutes striding on to a clever reverse pass to slot home from 15 yards.

David Brooks then gave Hesketh Bank some breathing space just before half-time when he rounded the keeper to tap home and Kevin Edgar ended it as a contest shortly after the break with a powerful shot from 20 yards.

Tom Corbett made a couple of sharp saves from Lytham counter attacks but they couldn't find the breakthrough.

Mo Samateh, a recent signing from sadly-defunct Southport Hesketh, then came off the bench to score with a fine solo effort before powering home a fizzing Edgar cross to make it 5-0.

Four goals were shared between Askam and Pause in the first 23 minutes before Aidan Pearson’s strike on the hour won the game in Askam’s favour, for their first win of the season.

Holker Old Boys hit nine away at Crooklands, Farryl Foster with four, while Carnforth ruined Ulverston’s perfect start with a 4-0 win with Joe Wilkinson’s late double putting the gloss on an impressive home win.

Both Kendal sides – United and County – enjoyed away wins, the former a last-gasp 3-2 victory at Chipping while Matty Casson hit two in a 5-1 win for County at Slyne.

And Turton got their first points on the board with a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Croston Sports.

And finally in the Premier Division, Haslingden St Mary’s had to settle for a point at home to Hurst Green after racing into a two-goal half-time lead.

Jake Craven and Scott Craven both bagged for Hurst Green in the second period as it finished 2-2, the away side’s third draw in four matches.

Ric Seear’s second minute effort was the solitary goal in Blackpool Wren Rovers’ win at Milnthorpe while Lostock St Gerards recovered from conceding an equally quickfire goal to beat Coppull United 5-1.

It was a late goal at Astley and Buckshaw that denied Burscough Richmond the win, Josh Porter bundling in from a corner to earn his side a 1-1 draw.

Whitehaven returned back up the A595 coast road from their ‘derby’ at Millom with a point in a 1-1 draw while Eagley continued their impressive start with a 2-1 win over neighbours Tempest United to stay top.

And Will Archer can now enjoy his first win as manager of CMB after their 4-1 victory at winless Rossendale.