Thompson hails team spirit in victory over namesake

Thompson assumed the role of joint manager at the back end of the 2024/25 season after the departure of Andrew ‘Leggy’ Leggett and is in his position alongside Chris Ganner.

LSG have so far beaten last year’s Premier Division champions Tempest United 3-1, drawn with runners up CMB and this weekend were 3-2 winners over Milnthorpe Corinthians.

Second half goals Reece Thompson, Alex Caunce and summer signing Dale Bury secured the win - but it wasn’t always plain sailing.

“The team spirit is unbelievable, we went one down and won 3-2.

“To be fair to Garry Thompson and Milnthorpe, they came with a game plan and scored early doors, put men behind the ball and made it hard for us.

“We had a lot of the ball but we couldn’t break them down, Garry’s played at a high level and you could see that today with the way they set up.

“We scored from three headers in the game, I don’t think we even scored three headers last season, never mind in a game!

“We found a way, and that’s all that matters.”

Thompson is encouraged by the additions made over the summer and is especially confident from a goalscoring perspective.

“We’ve lost quite a few from last year but overall I think we’ve added better quality to the squad.

“Dale is a great addition for us, coming in and playing with Mason [McKay] who scored 26 goals last year, I think every game we’ll score with those two up front.”

Short term, the aim for LSG is to “definitely” improve on their seventh place finish last season - long term, though, the plan is much bigger and bolder.

“We’ve got a new clubhouse built, new changing rooms, a new bar, the club is going places and I think, on the whole, we want to be in the North West Counties at some point in the near future.

“From a personal point of view, I’ve been to a lot of clubs as a player - Euxton Villa, Bamber Bridge - this committee at Gerards is one of the best.

“Phil Tinsley, the chairman and Jim Lakeland and Joe Stokes, the secretaries, it’s a real people’s club and they’re pulling the Lostock Hall community in the right direction.

“The clubhouse is attracting a lot of people down from the village and, from the club I joined this time last year to now, things have improved tenfold.

“Everyone’s buzzing and it’s just great to be a part of.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Blackpool Wren Rovers produced a five-star display against Burscough Richmond, seeing them off 5-0 while Eagley continued their perfect start to the season as an injury time winner from Cole Collins secured a 2-1 win.

Tempest United earned their first three points of the campaign in a 5-2 victory over Hurst Green, Tyler Hallam hit the double for Poulton as his goals secured a 2-0 triumph against Coppull United, and Astley & Buckshaw got their first Premier Division win, edging out CMB 1-0.

In Division One, Pause United continued their blistering start to the season with an 11-1 win against Freckleton, which saw Zach Clark net four, Ben McMeeking bag a hat trick and Matthew Sharp becoming the youngest Pause player in history at 16 years and one day.

Brothers Rory and Kian Kelly stole the show as Lytham Town defeated Holker Old Boys Reserves 7-2, the pair scoring five goals between them.

Late shows from Carnforth Rangers and Chipping gave them 4-0 and 5-1 wins over Askam United and Crooklands Casuals respectively.

Croston Sports beat Kendal County 4-1 and 100% records remain intact for Hesketh Bank and Ulverston Rangers as they came out on top against Kendal United and Turton.

The standout result in Division Two was an eye-watering 14-0 win for Fulwood Amateurs Reserves over Caton United which gives them a healthy goal difference advantage at the summit of the division.

They are level on points with two sides who also enjoyed impressive victories: Stoneclough came back from Walney Island with a 5-0 win and Thornton Cleveleys Reserves were 7-3 victors at Galgate.

Bamber Bridge Reserves claimed a 3-0 triumph at Hawcoat Park, Euxton Villa Reserves held off a Garstang Reserves comeback to win 3-2 and there was a mightily entertaining score draw as Appley Bridge v Dalton United ended 4-4.

Carnforth Rangers Reserves started life in Reserve Division One very well indeed, with a convincing 9-2 win over Eagley Reserves, as Hesketh Bank Reserves and leaders Haslingden St Mary’s Reserves enjoyed strong away wins.

Reserve Division Two leaders Hurst Green Reserves came out on top in a five- goal ding-dong against Croston Sports Reserves while Astley & Buckshaw’s new reserve side won 4-1 at Rossendale Reserves.