Euxton back on top on goal-laden weekend

The battle for top spot in the Premier Division took another twist with Euxton Villa’s 3-0 defeat of high-flying rivals Thornton Cleveleys.

Josh Briggs and Nathan Parish got two goals before half-time to send Villa into the half-time break in the ascendency, before Ian Billington put a sheen on the result, adding a third in the 86th minute.

That result sends Euxton two points and 11 goals to the good on goal difference in the table heading into the rest of September.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, a Jack Arrowsmith hat-trick earned Blackpool Wren Rovers a point on the road against Burscough Richmond, with Jordan Lorde rescuing a draw for the home side with his goal in the 73rd minute, keeping his side above the visitors on goal difference in the process.

It was a poor day for teams in the bottom half across the division, with Hurst Green and Poulton the only two sides below ninth to pick up any points.

Hurst Green saw off Turton, scoring in the first, 75th and last minute of the game to render Kieron Sisson’s 35th-minute penalty equaliser irrelevant. Sam Heap, Sam Chapman and Kenny Taylor were the goalscorers for the Ribble Valley side.

Poulton were the surprise package of the weekend, picking up three points, and scoring three goals, against a seventh-placed CMB side.

Much-travelled striker Max Landless was the catalyst for that impressive victory, bagging a double.

Lucas Weaver scored twice against Tempest United to get Fulwood Amateurs to within three points of the top five.

Vickerstown kept their good form going with a 3-0 home win over Southport Hesketh, despite missing several players through bans and injuries.

The Cumbrians have two matches in hand on Euxton Villa and, finding themselves only five points behind the top team, will fancy their chances of keeping the chase going with their games in hand.

Lytham Town retained their place in the top five with a 2-1 win over Coppull United, despite falling behind to an early Adam Pickstock goal and Slyne with Hest picked up their third away win of the season against a Whitehaven side who are yet to earn a point at home.

In Division One, Haslingden St. Marys put seven past Millom with Rhys Barton, David Linguard, Darrell Holland, Lewis Hanley (twice), Like Taylor and Marshall King all finding themselves on the scoresheet for the home side.

Millom managed to bag two consolations beyond the 80th minute through Jamie Pattinson and Danny Pattinson, but it will have been of little comfort to the team currently sitting on six points after seven games.

Hawcoat Park also went goal-crazy, putting five past a visiting Horwich St Mary’s Victoria side. Brandon Collins scored twice in that game, keeping the visitors pinned to the bottom of the table without a point.

Second-from-bottom Crooklands Casuals were left deflated when an 85th minute Croston Sports goal courtesy of Daniel Jeffrey prevented the strugglers from picking up their first win of the season in a 1-1 draw.

Milnthorpe Corinthians kept hold of top-spot with their 1-0 win away to Ulverston Rangers, Aaron Hoyle scoring the only goal in that game to keep the leaders four points clear of Wyre Villa, who defeated Stoneclough 3-1.

Lostock St Gerards and Eagley both lost ground on Wyre Villa after playing out a tense 1-1 draw, with both sides now sat on 17 points; one behind Wyre and five behind Milnthorpe.

Two early goals between Askam United and Kendal County settled that game at 1-1, with Brody Moffatt’s goal providing the decisive goal only 15 minutes into the contest.

There were goals galore in Divison Two. Rossendale stayed top with a 4-0 win away to Galgate, widening the gap between first and second as Furness Rovers could only pick up a point following their dramatic 3-3 draw with Garstang.

Carnforth Rovers, Chipping and Kendal United all took their opportunities to go level with Furness on 18 points.

Carnforth saw off Charnock Richard Reserves 4-0 with minimal fuss; a Harris Bailey hat-trick launched Chipping to a 5-1 win over Cartmel & District and Kendal United inched past Freckleton 1-0, leaving it extremely close among the chasing pack.

The two mid-table clashes in the division; Dalton United vs Storey’s and Walney Island vs Burnley United both ended 2-2, with Wayne Beswick’s dramatic 90th-minute equaliser earning Storey’s a point and keeping them three points clear of 10th placed Dalton.

In Division 1 Reserve, Euxton Villa reserves took top-spot following their win over Thornton Cleveleys (in what is a delightful piece of inter-divisional symmetry) after CMB and Hurst Green dropped points against Croston Sports Reserves and Turton Reserves.

Neil Buckley’s double helped Euxton to a 3-1 win while Andy Lane’s brace helped Turton to three points at Hurst Green.
Mike Tunstall’s late equaliser earned CMB a share of the spoils against Croston.

Eagley Reserves are yet to have their breakthrough victory in the division too, following another defeat, this time a 4-1 home loss to Fulwood Amateurs reserves.

Steve McEwan grabbed two in Blackpool Wren Rovers’ 5-2 victory over Burscough Richmond while Lostock St Gerards enjoyed a 2-0 win at Stoneclough.

And Poulton came from behind to overcome Tempest United 3-2, James Healey netting the late winner.

It was a busy day in Division 2 Reserve also. Coppull stayed top with their 5-3 victory over Lytham Town – the same scoreline which saw Fulwood Amateurs A see off Carnforth Rangers.

Hesketh Bank Reserves stuck seven past Thornton Cleveleys A thanks to a first half hat-trick from Aaron Blane in the 7-3 goalfest.

Rossendale brushed aside Galgate while it was a day for the keepers at Milnthorpe as it finished 0-0 between the home side and Wyre Villa.