Cup domination goes on as nine go into Shield hat

Premier Division: Milnthorpe Corinthians star as they smash seven

With this weekend bringing the second round of the Lancashire Amateur Shield, it was again a reduced schedule of West Lancashire League action, with just two games taking place in the Premier Division.

A hat-trick from Tom Jackson helped Milnthorpe Corinthians on their way to a 7-0 win over Lytham Town.

Taylor Fagan bagged a brace, whilst Shaun Gardner and George Loran got a goal apiece to lift them off the bottom of the table.

The other game in the division, between Tempest United and Coppull United, ended goalless.

Division One: Challengers cash in on Hesketh Bank’s cup absence

Hesketh Bank’s involvement in the Lancashire Amateur Shield gave Lostock St Gerards and Rossendale the opportunity to leapfrog the league leaders with positive results on Saturday.

Lostock St Gerards capitalised to go top of Division One after they beat Hawcoat Park 5-2.

Isaac Loftus, Oliver Evans and two goals from Adam Stammers gave Lostock St Gerards a 4-0 lead after just 29 minutes, before strikes from Mike Melia and Sam Hayes sparked hope of an unlikely Hawcoat Park comeback.

However, Andrew Leggett would score a fifth for Lostock St Gerards to secure an important three points for his side.

Rossendale also picked up a win to move second as they defeated Millom 6-3.

Tom Hulme scored four of Rossendale’s six goals, whilst Paul Stannard and Scott Wylie also found the net. Millom’s goals came through Theo Wilson’s double and a Ben McDonald penalty.

The weekend’s results leave Hesketh Bank on third, but with a game in hand over the top two.

Elsewhere in Division One, Askam United saw off Southport Hesketh 2-1 thanks to an 87th minute winner.

Lee Irving opened the scoring for Askam United, before his goal was cancelled out by Southport Hesketh’s Charlie Gray.

However, an own goal three minutes from time would hand Askam United the win.

A second minute strike from Finley Stafford was enough to secure maximum points for Eagley, as they beat Crooklands Casuals 1-0.

Rounding off the Division One action, Kendal County picked up victory on the road as they beat Haslingden St Marys 3-2.

Division Two: Tussle for top spot takes another twist

The leader of Division Two changed once again this weekend, with Holker Old Boys Reserves heading back to the summit thanks to a 6-0 win over AFC Blackpool Reserves.

Faryl Foster hit a hat-trick, whilst Frankie Ellis, Sol Stanway and Charlie McGladdery also got the scoresheet.

The door was left open for Holker Old Boys Reserves after Garstang Reserves beat previous table-toppers Walney Island 3-2.

Will Boulton had opened the scoring for Walney Island, only to see his strike cancelled out by Garstang Reserves’ Charlie Howarth.

A brace from Liam Painter would then give Garstang Reserves a 3-1 lead and, despite an own goal halving the deficit in injury, Garstang Reserves would hold on to take the win.

Chipping are now just two points behind Walney Island and three off top spot, after they picked up a 2-1 win against Galgate.

Goals from Sam Chatburn and John Ross secured the points for Chipping, coming either side of a strike from Galgate’s Dylan Mobbs.

Chipping’s victory also saw them move up into third, as a result of Kendal United’s 2-1 triumph at Freckleton.

Graham Lyons had given the hosts the lead in the first half, but Kendal United turned the game around thanks to Bailey Kenny and an own goal.

Euxton Villa Reserves moved level on points with Freckleton after a remarkable 4-4 draw with Dalton United.

Euxton Villa Reserves led by a two-goal margin no fewer than three times throughout the game thanks to goals from Ash Ball, Xavier Green, Lewis Pilgrim and Nick Buckley, but Dalton United repeatedly rose to the challenge.

Robbie Sanderson hit a double, whilst Robbie McMurdo scored from the spot and Ruben Hutton also found the net to see Dalton United ultimately claim a point.

It was another high-scoring thriller at Pause United, as they came from behind twice to beat Charnock Richard Reserves 4-2.

Charnock Richard Reserves led 1-0 through Oliver Oxley and 2-1 thanks to Scott Hammill, but a Will Sharkey brace, along with goals Jamie Taylor and Wayne Beswick, would see Pause United eventually seal a precious win.

Astley and Buckshaw beat Cartmel 6-1 in the final Division Two game of the weekend.

Division One Reserve: Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves bust leader’s unbeaten run

Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves handed Lostock St Gerards Reserves their first defeat of the season on Saturday, with Steve McEwan’s goal enough to secure three points.

That result allowed the chasing pack to close up to Lostock St Gerards at the top, with the two sides immediately below them in the table going into the weekend both tasting victories.

Second-placed Thornton Cleveleys Reserves beat Poulton Reserves by an impressive 8-1 scoreline, whilst Turton Reserves, who currently occupy third, won 4-1 at Fulwood Amateurs Reserves.

Hugo Strand opened the scoring for Fulwood Amateurs Reserves, before goals from Joe Sigworth, Ethan Mason and two from Ben McCabe saw Turton Reserves come back to take the win.

Hurst Green Reserves beat Horwich St Mary’s Victoria Reserves 4-2, with Gary Knight scoring two of his side’s four goals.

Hurst Green Reserves’ other goals came courtesy of Scott Craven and an own goal, and despite Horwich St Mary’s Victoria threatening an improbable comeback through Joe Lilley and Jonny Shacklady, Hurst Green Reserves’ would see the game out to emerge victorious.

Coppull United Reserves beat Tempest United Reserves 3-1 thanks to goals from Scott Hendry, John Welsh and Greg Brickell. Jay Liptrott was the scorer for Tempest United Reserves.

Division Two Reserve: Rossendale Reserves wild for Issac

Division Two leaders Rossendale Reserves maintained their grip on top spot with a 4-2 victory at Lytham Town Reserves.

Issac Wild netted a hat-trick for the visitors, whilst Ben Lomax got their other goal. Oliver Fishwick and Ric Tomlinson found the net for the hosts.

Chipping Reserves would also score four as they beat Fulwood Amateurs A 4-1.

Anthony Slater scored twice, with Chipping Reserves’ other goals coming through Michael Cooper an and own goal. Fulwood Amateurs A’s scorer was Matthew Billington.

Eagley continue to challenge Rossendale Reserves at the top after they won 2-1 away against Storeys Reserves.

Goals from Jake Hurst and Corey Harrison either side of a Steven Stirzaker strike were enough to give the visitors the win.

And completing this week’s league action, Hesketh Bank Reserves beat Thornton Cleveleys A 4-3.

Lancashire Amateur Shield: Five-star Fulwood Amateurs maintain defence of crown

Fulwood Amateurs are still in the hunt for successive Lancashire Amateur Shield titles after they advanced into the third round with a 5-0 win over Division One strugglers Stoneclough.

Ryan Dodd’s double, along with goals from Layton Kirnon, Jordan Wignall and Harrison Walsh ensured Fulwood Amateurs’ safe passage to the next phase of the competition.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Slyne with Hest, also advanced with as they beat Daten 4-1 to keep their hopes of going one better this time around alive.

Turton recorded a 4-1 victory of their own as they beat Goldbourne Sports Club, whilst Vickerstown lost by the same scoreline at Winstanley Warriors.

The so-called ‘lottery’ of penalties saw West Lancashire League sides hit the jackpot, with three of the league’s sides winning on spot-kicks.

Hurst Green and Hesketh Bank won their shootouts 5-4 and 4-3 after matches against Elton Vale and Rochdale Sacred Heart respectively were level at 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Thornton Cleveleys beat fellow Premier Division outfit Poulton 4-3 on penalties after they were left level 1-1.

Blackpool Wren Rovers and Burscough Richmond also advanced from all-Premier Division clashes after they both won 2-1 against Wyre Villa and CMB respectively.

Croston Sports were the final side from the West Lancashire league to secure their place in round three with victory on Saturday, as they overcame Royton 3-2, Ryan FLetcher with a match-winning treble.

That means that Storeys, Carnforth Rangers and Ulverston Rangers were all eliminated from the competition.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club beat Storeys 2-0, Bolton County recorded a 3-0 victory over Carnforth Rangers and Walshaw Sports Club eventually overcame Ulverston Rangers 4-3.

Burnley United's result against Hindford has not been published.

Stewart Rowe Memorial Cup: Pearson pinches it late for Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves

Saving one of the weekend’s best games until last, Milnthorpe Corinthians beat Carnforth Rangers Reserves in a 4-3 thriller in the preliminary round of the Stewart Rowe Memorial Cup.

Caleb Brouwer bagged a brace and Ben Sykes also found the net for a Carnforth Rangers Reserves side who battled from 1-0 and 3-1 down in the game to push Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves all the way.

However, it wasn’t to be, with two goals from Tom Ladd, a strike from Adam Pashley and an 89th minute winner from Tom Pearson eventually seeing Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves through to the next round.