Burscough stun champions on goalfest opening weekend

Premier Division: Burscough Richmond and Poulton catch the eye

Burscough Richmond and Poulton each got their campaigns off to the ideal start as they secured impressive wins over last season’s top two.

Burscough Richmond ran out 5-2 winners as they hosted defending Premier Division champions Thornton Cleveleys, whilst Poulton picked up three points on the road with a 3-0 triumph at Fulwood Amateurs.

Burscough Richmond raced into a 3-0 lead courtesy of an own goal and strikes from Ade Kirkbride and Will Doherty. Daniel Stoney then pulled one back for Thornton Cleveleys, but second half Richmond goals from Adam Sutton and Raj Singh-Uppal ended any chance of a comeback.

Billy Dollin added another for Thornton Cleveleys late on to complete the scoring.

Poulton established a three-goal cushion in similarly speedy fashion against Fulwood Amateurs, with Luke Noble, Max Landless and Nick Hepple all finding the net inside 18 minutes.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Coppull United also put in a statement performance as they netted five without reply against Vickerstown to lead the embryonic league table.

Jonty Mattock scored the game’s opener, before Nathan Bibby began his season with a brace. Goals from Mohammed Patel and Joe Bowles rounded off the 5-0 win.

Slyne with Hest played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with CMB, which included five goals in just nine second half minutes.

In a remarkable period of the game, Slyne with Hest’s Josh Draycott, Robbie Mooring and Reece Pearce all managed to get on the scoresheet, with Dylan Winstanley also scoring twice for CMB.

Callum Cornes would later score CMB’s third to ensure that the visitors left with a share of the spoils.

It was an opening day to remember for Carl Eastwood of Blackpool Wren Rovers, as he netted a hat-trick within the opening 17 minutes of his side’s 3-1 victory against Hurst Green.

Eastwood’s three goals in seven minutes would prove decisive, with Joe Savin’s strike early in the second half proving to be as good as it got for Hurst Green.

Whitehaven sealed their first victory of the new campaign as they saw off newly-promoted Wyre Villa 2-1. Carl Denver and Gareth Brunton gave Whitehaven a 2-0 lead and despite Wyre Villa scoring from the spot late on courtesy of Richie Allen, the home side would hold on to take the points.

Lytham Town left it late against Tempest United, but Lloyd Paton’s 88th minute strike would be enough to give his side a 1-0 win.

Rounding off the weekend’s action in the Premier Division, last year’s Division One champions Milnthorpe Corinthians got off the mark in their new division as they secured a point with a goalless draw away at Turton.

Division One: Rossendale announce Division One arrival

2021/22 Division Two champions Rossendale made their presence in Division One known as they claimed a 7-0 opening day victory over Hawcoat Park.

Tom Hulme scored an incredible five of Rossendale’s seven goals, whilst Adam McInnes and Jordan Hilton grabbed a goal apiece.

Hesketh Bank, who finished third in Division One last season, indicated they may be among the promotion contenders again this time around with a 5-0 win against Askam United.

Kevin Edgar scored twice, with George Bond, Tom Smyth and Nathan Gonzalez also finding the net.

There was another 5-0 scoreline at Horwich St Mary’s Victoria, who triumphed over Southport Hesketh.

A hat-trick from Tim Raines, along with goals from Saul Guffogg and Ben Patel, secured victory for Horwich St Marys Victoria.
Lostock St Gerards picked up an impressive result on their travels, as they beat Eagley 4-1.

Newly promoted Carnforth Rangers were denied a perfect start to life in Division One by a late Haslingden St Mary’s equaliser.

Carnforth Rangers had led 2-0 thanks to an early double from Jonny Ash, before second half goals from Lewis Hanley and Forlan Jakovlevs, the latter of which came in the 90th minute, levelled the score at 2-2.

A brace from Jordan McGarry set Ulverston Rangers on their way to a 3-0 success over Stoneclough. Daniel Craig would add the third just after the hour to complete win.

Millom got their season off and running with a 2-0 win over Croston Sports. Ben McDonald opened the scoring, before Theo Wilson secured the points late on.

A 10th minute goal from Cameron Khan was enough to see Kendal County see past Crooklands Casuals.

Division Two: Astley and Buckshaw secure debut victory

The opening round of Division Two fixtures threw together two West Lancashire League debutants, with Astley and Buckshaw triumphing over AFC Blackpool Reserves 2-1 thanks to goals from Liam Bamber and Kurt Robinson.

Euxton Villa Reserves notched up a 6-1 victory against another of the league’s fresh faces in Holker Old Boys Reserves.

Daniel Singleton, a recent signing from Southport Hesketh, netted a hat-trick, whilst Ash Ball, Nick Buckley and Kieran Mawdsley each picked up a goal. Danny Pattinson scored Holker Old Boys Reserves’ only goal of the game.

Pause United, the final outfit making their bow in the West Lancashire League this season, began their Division Two campaign with a 2-2 draw with Cartmel and District.

Pause United led twice throughout the game through goals from Jacob Kowalik and Shea Brennan, but strikes from Daniel Reeve and Danny Anderson helped Cartmel and District level to ultimately earn a point.

Kendal United managed to see off Galgate 5-2, despite going behind to a Daniel Cooper goal just four minutes in.

Bailey Kenny and Marco Thompson helped Kendal United turn the game around and whilst Sean McElone was able to pull Galgate level just before half-time, second half strikes from George Key, Sam McKee and Brad Thompson would make sure of the win.

Burnley United would also secure a comeback victory as they beat Storeys 2-1. Cameron Hollywood had opened the scoring for Storeys, but second half goals from Mohammad Butt and Jack Berry would secure all three points for Burnley United.

It would be the battle of the braces between Freckleton and Chipping, as Joe Bentley and Matthew Shorrock both found the net twice for their respective sides. Freckleton’s Saul Hamer and Chipping’s James Bailey were the game’s other scorers in a 3-3 draw.

Garstang Reserves defeated Dalton United 4-2 away from home thanks in large part to a hat-trick from Jacob Salisbury.

A late own goal made sure of the victory, that despite goals from Jordan Chubb and Ryan Brown for Dalton United.

Walney Island were also powered to victory by a hat-trick hero, as last year’s prolific marksman James Bailey scored all three goals as they beat Charnock Richard Reserves 3-0.

Division One Reserve: Fulwood Amateurs Reserves hit four

Fulwood Amateurs Reserves came away from Croston Sports Reserves with all three points. Jordan Wignall, Lucas Gornall, Brett McGovern and Joe Collins all got on the scoresheet in an impressive 4-0 win.

CMB Reserves also got off to a winning start as they saw off Tempest United Reserves 2-0 thanks to Lewis Cullen and Danny Halloran.

Poulton Reserves’ Jack Murphy and Coppull United Reserves’ Gregg Brickell scored two apiece as their sides played out a 2-2 draw.

Lostock St Gerards Reserves and Turton Reserves would also share the points after they drew 1-1. Cole Exley opened the scoring for Turton Reserves after 48 minutes, only for Dan Fryer to equalise for Lostock St Gerards Reserves seven minutes later.

Elsewhere in the division, Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves saw off Hurst Green Reserves 2-1, whilst Thornton Cleveleys Reserves beat Horwich St Marys Victoria Reserves 5-2.

Division 2 Reserves: Marsh the master marksman

Rossendale Reserves did their best to match the goalscoring exploits of the first XI, putting five past Storeys Reserves in a 5-2 win.

Brad Marsh scored a hat-trick for Rossendale Reserves, with Regan O’Brien and Ben Lomax also finding the net. Jon Pedder and Matthew Robertson were the scorers for Storeys Reserves.

Haslingden St Marys Reserves scored twice in the second half to come from a goal down against Carnforth Rangers Reserves.

Kenzie Backhouse opened the scoring for Carnforth Rangers Reserves just before the break, but goals from Spencer Cunliffe and Joe Smith would secure a 2-1 win for Haslingden St Mary’s Reserves.

There were big victories for both Eagley Reserves and Hesketh Bank Reserves. Eagley Reserves secured a 7-1 win over Fulwood Amateurs A, whilst Hesketh Bank Reserves beat Galgate Reserves 8-1.

Rounding off the results, Thornton Cleveleys A saw off Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves 2-1, and Chipping Reserves and Lytham Town Reserves drew 2-2.