Astley shake off mini-slump to zone in on top flight

Photos
Astley and Buckshaw v Askam United by STEFAN WILLOUGHBY
Tempest United v CMB by MIKE ROE
Haslingden St Mary's v Fulwood Amateurs by GRAHAM LANCASTER.

Starting with the Premier Division, and a potentially hugely significant game between first and second finished with Tempest United regaining top spot after a 3-0 win over local rivals CMB in front of a 300+ crowd.

Aaron Thorpe and Jordan Pendlebury gave Tempest a 2-0 lead at the break before an own goal cemented the victory in the second half.

Blackpool Wren Rovers’ clinical second half display gave them a 3-1 win away at Coppull United.

Coppull went ahead through a first half own goal but Wren Rovers took control after half time: the division’s top scorer Ric Seear made it 25 for the season, before Tommy Handslip made it 2-1 to the visitors.

Luke Harris wrapped up the three points on the 87th minute.

Lostock St Gerards earned a 4-1 win at home to Cleator Moor Celtic.

Mason McKay netted a hat trick - scoring one in the first half and two in the second - and Charlie Markland also got a goal, with Daniel Hill getting Cleator Moor Celtic’s consolation.

In a tight game, Whitehaven edged out Rossendale 1-0 thanks to a late winner from Luke Knowles to make it three games unbeaten and breathe fresh life into their survival battle.

Burscough Richmond lost ground at the top after being made to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Milnthorpe Corinthians.

Division One leaders Millom made easy work of this weekend’s game as they beat Freckleton 6-0 to secure promotion.

Ben Macdonald got things going early on for his side as they went a goal up inside the first minute.

Macdonald went on to score a hat trick and also had the final say of the afternoon as his third goal topped things off on 84 minutes, before which Jamie Pattinson bagged a brace and Joe Myers found the net.

Carnforth Rangers saw off Southport Hesketh in a 5-0 win.

Jordan Darby got the first two in the opening 45 before Josh Green, Stan Rich and Sonny Graham also scored in a five-star performance.

Second placed Astley & Buckshaw secured a 2-0 home win against Askam United, with Jordan Griffith and Courtney Skerritt finding the net.

That's two home wins in a row after two consecutive away defeats and they are now need seven points to join Millom in the top flight.

It was fourth versus third on Saturday and the former came out on top as Hesketh Bank beat Ulverston Rangers 2-1.

Jack Milburn gave Ulverston the lead midway through the first half but goals from Kevin Edgar, now on 27 for this season, and Peter Atkinson-Jones turned the game on its head.

Croston Sports earned a 2-0 win at Turton, with Andrew Birch and Corey Gill getting the goals.

Holker Old Boys Reserves scored twice early on to beat Kendal County 2-0 away from home; Noah Williams and Freddie Lawton struck on five and 10 minutes respectively.

Crooklands Casuals defeated Chipping 2-1, Kyle Delves and Lee Irving’s goals gave them the three points before Jack Fletcher halved the deficit.

In Division Two, Walney Island enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 away win over Hawcoat Park.

Hayden Skyme scored late on in the first half before adding a second on 74 minutes, after which Joe Hayes, Zach Walker and Joe Pearson found the net.

Garstang Reserves beat Galgate 4-0, with Tom Graham, Woody Howard (2) and Jacob Salisbury getting on the scoresheet.

Storeys of Lancaster were 3-1 victors against Euxton Villa Reserves in the battle of fourth versus fifth.

Josh Heap and Joe Waring’s goals meant it was 2-0 at half time, after which the lead was further extended by Reece Pearce, however it was cut by Liam McNally, albeit too little too late on 85 minutes.

Kendal United produced a strong first half display to beat Thornton Cleveleys Reserves 3-1.

Jamie Looker, Brad Thompson and Matthew Kennedy all scored before the half time whistle was blown.

Adam Skinner scored for Thornton Cleveleys on 71 minutes but a full comeback couldn’t be mounted.

The same couldn’t be said for Bamber Bridge Reserves, though, who beat Charnock Richard Reserves 3-2.

Sam Braithwaite put Brig ahead before the break but Ian Billington and Noah Hobbs scored early in the second half to change the picture.

However, the game went on to take another twist or two and just seconds later, Taylor Maguire found the equaliser, before netting the winner on 80 minutes.

Third placed Stoneclough beat the already-promoted Pause United 2-1 away from home: Aaqil Campbell bagged a brace before Ben Roberts got one back.

In Reserve Division One, Poulton Reserves beat top of the tree Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves 2-0.

Toby Scammell and Raiden Shirran scored early in the second half to give them a big three points.

There was a significant result in the fight to stay up as Turton Reserves won 4-2 at Rossendale Reserves.

James Buckley, Daniel Carr and Ethan Wills-Williams put Turton 3-0 up with 50 minutes played but Sam Skinner and Elliott Davies tightened that margin before the hour mark.

Wills-Williams sealed the win, however, with an 85th-minute strike.

Chipping Reserves secured a 2-1 win over second placed Lostock St Gerards despite the latter going one up on 65 minutes thanks to Joel Chester.

Gareth Jones and Jack Rhodes found Chipping’s goals late in the day.

Eagley Reserves earned a 2-0 win away to CMB Reserves thanks to a Kenny Corvelli double on 30 and 60 minutes.

In Reserve Division Two, Hesketh Bank Reserves secured promotion and remain a point clear following a 4-1 away win against Caton United Reserves.

Jack Brennan and Macauley Smith put them two goals to the good before Spencer Drake made it 2-1 before the break.

Jordan Smethurst struck from 12 yards not long after the restart and Smith got a second to seal the win.

Second placed Carnforth Rangers Reserves won 2-0 away at Lytham Town Reserves thanks to a Will Mead double to all but seal their place in the higher division next season too.

Stoneclough Reserves clung on for a 4-3 win over Storeys Reserves.

Ross Wakefield (2), Milo Clarke and David Olodade’s goals had made it look like they would cruise to victory, which the only reply up until the 86th minute being Tom Charlson’s effort.

However, late goals from Mark Graham and Luke Davis made things interesting in the late, late stages however Stoneclough held on.

Croston Sports Reserves defeated third placed Thornton Cleveleys A 4-1.

Nick Bracegirdle and Emlyn King-Everton put them two up at the break, after which ‘Cleveleys’ A did pull one back through Ruben Williams, however Lewis Townley’s double got them comfortably over the line.

Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves came from a goal down to beat Pause United Reserves 4-1.

Ryan Worrall gave Pause an early lead but, in the second half, Milnthorpe came out a different side and Tom Jackson, Jordan Knowles (2) and an own goal in their favour gave them the win.

Hurst Green Reserves saw off Fulwood Amateurs 2-0 thanks to goals from Ryan McKenna and Jordan Rawcliffe.

We now know there will be one West Lancashire League representative in the final of the Lancashire Amateur Shield after Haslingden St Mary's beat Fulwood Amateurs 4-1 in the last four stage.

However, Eagley bowed out of the competition in a 1-0 defeat to Golborne Sports.