Premier Division Review 24th October 2015.

FULWOOD Amateurs who made all the early pace at the start of the season took advantage of
knockout football elsewhere to climb back on top of the West Lancs Premier Division on
Saturday with a convincing 4-0 win at home to Southport Hesketh (writes Howard Jones).
But it took a hat-trick in the last eight minutes from leading scorer Mitch Newsham to propel
Amateurs to their lofty heights in a match which was still in the melting pot 10 minutes from
time.
Jonathan Hothersall’s 16th minute opener for the Lightfoot Lane side gave manager Tony
Hesketh’s boys the edge throughout but Newsham’s match ball show finally sunk the
Merseysiders who remain in 11th spot but only six points of the relegation pack.
Euxton Villa’s form is giving cause for concern after they surrendered a two goal first-half lead
at home to much improved Thornton Cleveleys.
The win moved the Fylde based side up to fifth in the table thanks to two goals in five minutes
in the second-half from Harry Rowe (51 56) and a Dave Rossall 71st minute winner.
Dan Morris (26) and Dave Heald (44) had given the hosts a two goal start - but it wasn’t
enough, while at Garstang the home side got back to winning ways with an emphatic 4-1
demolition of Burnley United at the Riverside.
Liam Breslin did most of the damage for the home side with a hat-trick (10 51 78) while Andy
Taylor (43) got the other.
Dave Patrick’s 62nd minute reply was some consolation for Burnley who are still without a win
now in five away trips this season.
Hesketh Bank’s form continues to improve; this time with their fourth away win of the
campaign thanks to a match winner from David Hogg a minute from time at Slyne in a nine
goal thriller.
Two up after 28 minutes through two Dan Dickson strikes (15 28), the visitors hit back with two
of their own in a three minute spell just before the break thanks to Josh Brierley (36) and Bob
Milton (39) strikes.
But sandwiched in between Jimmy Love scored for the home side on 37 minutes, but after the
break Hesketh banked all three match points with a superlative second-half show.
Richard Burns (51), and Milton with his second (68) scored before Hogg’s late winner moved
the Bankers up to ninth in the table.
Jamie Hastings got Slyne’s other goal after 77 minutes to level it at 4-4. Then as they say David
Hogg-ed the limelight!
Crooklands Casuals are on the march up the table too.
They won a thriller at home to Eagley 2-1 coming from behind to do so to register only their
second home win in eight games thanks to late goals from experienced campaigners, Steve
Caskie (73) and Chris Wraighte (79).
Eagley’s reply came from player-boss and former Preston?North End star Simon Whaley after
29 minutes.
In games elsewhere in the Lancashire Amateur Shield Premier Division sides fared pretty well
except for Coppull United who as holders of the trophy surprisingly went out of the competition
with a whimper, losing 4-2 at home to First Division Turton at Springfield Road.
At one stage Turton led 4-0 before United got back into contention at 4-2 but in the end the
holders surrendered their silverware tamely in front of their own fans.
In other ties, Charnock Richard triumphed over First Division Ladybridge as expected 5-3, while
Longridge Town did a demolition job on Lostock St. Gerards at The Mike Riding Ground 8-1 with
leading scorer Brad Carsley grabbing himself a hat-trick in the process.
Good day too for Blackpool Wren Rovers who kept alive their place in the competition
returning from First Division Hawcoat Park with a 5-1 victory.
Other sides to win through to Monday’s quarter-final draw were, Royton Town who defeated
fellow Manchester League side Prestwich?Heys 3-2, First Division Poulton who beat Second
Division Bolton County 4-1, and First Division Hurst Green who knocked out last years surprise
finalists, Second Division CMB 2-1, while First Division Tempest United dazzled on Walney Island
with a 4-1 victory over a lacklustre Vickerstown in arguably the shock result of the day.
Monday’s draw is scheduled to take place around 11am at Lancashire Headquarters (Leyland).