Villa resurrect promotion bid on day of downpours

10 Apr 2023 By Andy Sykes

Only five games beat the weather on Easter Monday but it could prove crucial for a number of sides at the top and bottom of their divisions.

In the Premier Division, Milnthorpe Corinthians could have moved out of the bottom two with a win at Thornton Cleveleys.

But a Brett Dawson penalty and second half-strikes by Jake Mangan, his second also from the spot, helped Thornton Cleveleys go level on points with Fulwood Amateurs in fourth.

Slyne are also in that fourth placed finish battle and they helped their cause with a 2-0 win at Turton, thanks to a Regan Crossley spot kick and Rob Slinger's late clincher.

Haslingden still have nine games to play and they kept their outside hopes of gatecrashing the Division One promotion race alive with a 3-2 win at Askam.

The Cumbrians took an early lead through Sam Taylor but a quickfire double from Leon Barker-Williams put Haslingden ahead at the break.

Declan Baines restored parity on 57 minutes only for Rhys Barton to earn Haslingden the three points.

In Division Two, Euxton Villa are still in the promotion race with a 2-0 win over table-toppers Freckleton.

Ben Robinson-Parker grabbed a second-half double to keep Villa in the hunt.

And in Division Two Reserve, Milnthorpe Corinthians saw off Fulwood Amateurs A 2-1.

George Cormack's effort put the home side ahead but an own goal drew Fulwood level.

Lucas Schofield grabbed the killer goal early in the second half to seal the points.

Where next?

Glory for Gerards as Burscough keep up remarkable record Lostock St Gerards Reserves are the first title winners of the 2023/24 season with others set to go to the wire, writes BEN SMITH with pictures from Burscough Richmond v Poulton by MIKE ROE.

Chirpy Chipping in box seat as title battle revs up Chipping notched up back-to-back 5-1 wins to keep up the pressure at the top of a thrilling Division Two table, writes BEN SMITH with pictures from their game at Charnock Richard by STEVE TAYLOR.