Time to take stock for Astley and Buckshaw after rapid rise

On Saturday they lost 2-1 to Milnthorpe Corinthians, who completed an unbeaten November and moved three points clear of the Premier Division relegation zone.

Robbie Mooring and recent prolific addition Zach Clark scored for Milnthorpe before Joe Glover halved the deficit from the penalty spot.

“It was a game of two halves really", said Shaw.

“In the first half we looked like a frustrated side and they were growing into it and they were the better side to be honest.

“We addressed a few things at half time, came out and did much better, creating a lot of opportunities.

“Unfortunately we conceded very early on which undid all the great work that we eventually did.

“We probably should have had a result out of the game but we just didn’t take our chances.

“It’s not quite clicking for us at the moment but it’ll come eventually.”

Astley and Buckshaw sit 13th out of 16, looking to now find their feet in the Premier Division, which they reached in a flash.

Under Shaw, who has been involved with the club since their formation in 2022, they secured back to back promotions.

“I don’t think the second promotion was expected.

“I think when we got towards the halfway point (of last season), we realised that there was a possibility.

“It was a great achievement for the club.

“There's many clubs who've been in West Lancs for a long time and not managed to get into the Prem, never mind back to back promotions so it's a really good achievement especially in such a short space of time as a club.”

For Shaw, this season is all about getting accustomed to the West Lancs’ top level - but there are big plans ahead.

“We want to stay up this season and then build for next year.

“There’s a lot going on in the background and we’re trying to build the infrastructure, bring in some younger players and there’s lots of good progress around.

“The club has grown so quickly, the footballing side has got to catch up.

“A lot of clubs are well established and been in the league for 40 or 50 years, they’ve got good youth development right through the club.

“That’s something we haven’t quite got yet, aside from the reserves who are newly formed and doing very well in their own league (4th in Reserve Division Two).

“Locally there’s a lot of clubs who’ve got good setups and are developing young players while we’re having to go out and look for players who are ready-made, but we’ll get there in time.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, it was a good afternoon all round for away sides.

With Haslingden St Mary’s game versus CMB postponed, Lostock St Gerards seized the opportunity to move up to second with an emphatic 6-1 win at holders Tempest United, with Ryan Fletcher scoring three of the best.

Sam Crook’s hat trick in a 3-0 win at Poulton means Eagley are now 11 points clear at the top of the table, while Hurst Green triumphed 4-1 at Whitehaven and Burscough Richmond came away from Coppull United with a 3-1 victory.

Cleator Moor Celtic and Rossendale drew 3-3 in a thrilling encounter where both teams recovered from losing positions; Scott Wylie rescued a point in the 88th minute for the visitors, after they had been 2-0 up courtesy of two goals in quick succession before the break.

To Division One now where Kendal County stunned Carnforth Rangers 7-3, thanks to goals from Lewis Casson, Aaron McMinn (2), Matty Casson (2), Jacob Carway and Ryan Close.

Kendal United earned a 4-3 win at home to Lytham Town and they flew out of the traps; they were two to the good inside six minutes, and had netted all four goals before the half time whistle.

Pause United are up to fourth after a 4-2 win over Turton, who did try to ignite a late comeback with two from Danyil Prudnickov, but Tom Knight’s hat trick and a Ben McMeeking finish had secured the win beforehand.

Crooklands Casuals were 2-1 victors at Slyne with Hest while Holker Old Boys Reserves came from behind to draw 2-2 late on at Croston Sports.

There was a ruthless second half showing in the biggest win of the day in Division Two as Thornton Cleveleys Reserves brushed aside Caton United 9-1; Billy Cartmell got three.

Fulwood Amateurs Reserves closed the gap between themselves and Stoneclough at the top of Division Two to two points after a last-gasp 2-1 win over Storeys.

Two stinging right-wing crosses couldn’t be converted as Fulwood edged the first 30 minutes, but they were indebted to keeper Mason Byram who brilliantly denied Joe Wareing with an outstretched leg.

Wes Enoma then put the home side in the lead heading home from close range on 36 minutes.

Storeys captain Timothy Last made it 1-1 on 56 minutes with a near identical header from six yards out.

With Last and Joel Creech superbly marshalling the away defence, it looked like Storeys would achieve a hard-earned point, especially after Lucas Worswick fired over when well placed.

But in the second minute of injury-time, another cross from the left was met by Will Pitt who planted his header into the back of the net from point blank range to maintain Fulwood's perfect home record.

Ian Billington’s hat trick gave Charnock Richard Reserves a 3-2 home win versus Appley Bridge, while Langho recorded a 3-3 draw against Euxton Villa Reserves with two goals in the final 10.

In Reserve Division One, Hesketh Bank Reserves triumphed in a top two clash which ended 4-3 against Haslingden St Mary’s, with the new table toppers proving their worth after coming from behind twice.

Poulton Reserves held off a CMB Reserves comeback, having been three up inside the opening quarter of an hour, eventually winning 3-2 while Mitch Davenport’s goal on the half hour mark was the only difference between Tempest United Reserves and Turton Reserves, the former winning 1-0.

In Reserve Division Two, Fulwood Amateurs A closed the gap between themselves and opponents - and second placed - Thornton Cleveleys A - with a convincing 5-2 win, with all but one goal scored in the opening 45.

Another game where most of the action happened early doors was Storeys Reserves’ 3-2 victory at home to Pause Reserves, with the hosts finding all their goals before 25 minutes.