Walney's second-half blitz secures final spot

Match photos
Walney Island v Thornton Res by DERICK THOMAS
Askam v Whitehaven by MIKE ROE

Across the West Lancashire League before kick off on Saturday, clubs paused for a minute’s silence to remember 10-year-old Poppy Atkinson, of Kendal United U12s, who tragically lost her life last week.

Thank-you to every club that took part in her honour.

Let’s start with cup action: In the quarter final stage of the Richardson Cup, CMB carried over their strong league form to make it into the final four, beating Turton 4-2 away from home.

Benji Lilley and Alex Leigh gave them a two goal lead before Ben McCabe pulled one back on 52 minutes, however Dylan Winstanley restored the two goal cushion just moments later.

Danyil Prudnikov got Turton back into the game once more in the 70th minute but, again, CMB responded less than 60 seconds later through Elias Miller to make it 4-2.

Blackpool Wren Rovers beat Kendal United 4-0 with goals from Danny Fletcher, Ric Seear (2) and Kian Makepeace.

Rossendale held on to progress to the semis after a 2-1 win at home to Hesketh Bank.

Ricco Pembele and Jack Mouncey’s goals ensured their progression but the prolific Kevin Edgar got one back for the visitors, albeit not enough to spark a comeback.

Tempest United defeated Fulwood Amateurs 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time.

Tempest took the lead on two occasions in the first half through Sam Parkinson and Connor Griffiths but Fulwood responded, their goals coming courtesy of Harrison Walsh and Owen Watkinson.

It was Tempest, however, who came away as winners in the all-important shootout.

Turning now to the quarter finals of the Presidents Cup, where two Division One sides progressed past teams of the tier above.

Croston Sports were impressive 3-1 victors over Poulton.

Despite the latter taking a 1-0 lead early on through Tyler Hallam, the Division One outfit turned the game around with goals from Cory Gill, Ric Tomlinson and Alex Abbott.

Askam United also came from a goal behind as they beat Whitehaven 2-1.

Carl Denver gave Whitehaven the lead but a quick reply from Declan Baines was followed up by Joe Tindale - his goal ultimately proved to be the winner that sends Askam into the final four.

Cleator Moor Celtic convincingly avoided a potential shock, they beat Freckleton 4-0 and are now the only Premier Division side left in the cup.

Ellis Trotter (2), Ben McCanton and Luke Close found the net for them.

Lytham Town also progressed with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Slyne with Hest.

The game was practically wrapped up by the end of the first half, during which Kian Kelly (2) and Tom Bell had got on the scoresheet, after which Jimmy McPhee netted a fourth.

Walney Island will take on Pause United in the final of the Challenge Cup after they both secured wins in this weekend’s semi finals.

Walney Island beat Thornton Cleveleys Reserves 3-1 at Milnthorpe Corinthians’ The Strands, thanks to goals from Kyle Beach, Kenny Davenport and Jordan Chubb, with their opponents’ sole response coming from Adam Skinner.

Walney last won the competition in 2018/19.

Pause United and Bamber Bridge Reserves had to settle their tie from 12 yards at Coppull United’s Blainscough Park following a 2-2 draw.

First half doubles from Zac Clark and Lewis Pilgrim for their respective sides saw it end all square after 90 minutes, with Pause winning 4-3 on penalties.

Now to league action and, in the Premier Division, Lostock St Gerards enjoyed a comprehensive 6-0 win over Coppull United.

Mason McKay bagged a hat trick, Reece Thompson and Charlie Markland scored in the same minute as each other and Josh Sarda wrapped the goal action up late on.

Third placed Burscough Richmond are now just two points off CMB at the top after a 3-0 win away to Eagley.

Matty Hawkins and Jordan Lorde’s goals meant they were two to the good by the midway point of the first half, and Lorde added a second in the final moments of the game.

Haslingden St Marys earned a 3-0 win at Hurst Green to leapfrog them in the table and move up to seventh.

Leon Barker-Williams scored either side of a Michael White strike to give them a convincing victory.

Third took on second in Division One on Saturday with the former, Ulverston Rangers, coming out on top in a 3-1 win at home to Astley & Buckshaw.

Jack Gardner’s first half brace and Archie Butler’s goal early in the second half gave them the three points, with the visitors scoring late on through Joe Jenkinson with little time to mount a comeback.

Carnforth Rangers recorded a big win on the road as they beat Kendal County 4-0.

George Drake, Josh Green (2) and Jordan Darby got on the scoresheet as Carnforth climbed up to sixth.

Division leaders Millom beat Chipping 2-1, Theo Wilson and Ben Macdonald on target for the visitors.

Just one game in Division Two, which saw Stoneclough move up to third after a 3-0 home win against Hawcoat Park.

Lewis Greenhall broke the deadlock on the half hour mark before Steven Ward and Noah Bracegirdle found the net in the second half.

In Reserve Division One, CMB Reserves were on the winning side of an eight-goal thriller as they beat Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves 5-3.

Wren Rovers took the lead through Ryan Nickless on 16 minutes but Ben Shone’s double turned the game on its head.

Emmet Ryan made it three for his side before Ben Seear reduced CMB’s advantage back to just one goal on the stroke of half time.

Jamie Grant added a fourth, only moments before Harvey Walford netted for Wren Rovers.

Ben Thornton sealed the win deep into added time for CMB with a 95th-minute strike.

Haslingden St Marys secured a 1-0 win over Tempest United Reserves, with Luke Taylor’s 40th-minute strike proving the only difference between the sides.

Poulton Reserves drew 1-1 with Chipping Reserves, with Rob Douglas cancelling out Oscar Middlesbrough’s opener.

Finally, in Reserve Division Two, Caton United Reserves beat Fulwood Amateurs A 5-3.

San Hodgson, Adam Garnett and Joseph Jenks all scored in the first 45 to make it 3-0 to Caton at the break.

Hodgson got his second and the team’s fourth just after the hour mark but Fulwood Amateurs did have an improved second half display.

Theo Collinson, Odion Lyare and Josh Taylor all scored in 15 second half minutes to reduce the deficit to just one and set up an unexpectedly tense ending to the game.

However, Jenks secured his brace as well as the three points with a goal on 88 minutes to give Caton a 5-3 win.

Second placed Carnforth Rangers Reserves had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Lytham Town Reserves.

Eric Thompson broke the deadlock for Carnforth on 23 minutes but Curtis Whitehead found an equaliser just eight minutes later.