Goalkeeper's perfect header to remember on day of celebration

Away from Tempest United’s title celebrations, Burscough Richmond leapfrogged CMB into second in the Premier Division with a 3-0 win at Rossendale.

>> Tempest secure title on dramatic day - click HERE

Billy Whittle's double either side of the break took a chunk out of the home side’s impressive record at Marl Pits with goals before Saul Guffog sealed the win.

CMB lost 2-1 to Blackpool Wren Rovers and are a point behind Burscough with a game in hand.

A double from Ric Seear helped secure Wren Rovers sixth straight win and they are fine form ahead of their Richardson Cup final appearance on May 1, Oliver Turner on target for CMB.

Burscough’s away day joy helped Fulwood Amateurs take a five-point lead in the race for the top five – the minimum requirement for Fulwood’s hopes of promotion to the North West Counties League.

Phil Blackwell’s men beat bogey side Hurst Green 4-0 at Lightfoot Lane and they could finish fourth if they can overhaul Wrens.

Owen Watkinson opened the scoring and second half efforts from Aaron Hewitt, Spencer Lucas and Theo Ball confirmed the three points.

Poulton ended any lingering fears of relegation with a dramatic 3-2 win at Haslingden St Mary’s to inflict a third home defeat on the bounce on the Lancashire FA Shield finalists.

Lewis Hanley’s opener was cancelled out by Tyler Hallam only for Charlie Ridge to reinstate the deficit.

But late goals from Raiden Shirran and Toby Scammell got Poulton the win they needed to stay up.

Bottom side Coppull were not in action – defeat next week at CMB could spell curtains for their survival hopes.

Astley and Buckshaw duly secured their second successive promotion but had to work hard in a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Southport Hesketh in Division One – Jordan Griffith with the only goal.

They could yet win the title but would need a ridiculous goal swing to topple Millom, who can make sure of top spot with a draw at Carnforth Rangers next Saturday.

Southport Hesketh must win at Holker Old Boys to stand a chance of staying up with Freckleton failing to get the point they ultimately needed, falling to a 5-2 defeat at Hesketh Bank.

Dan Birkby’s men hit their 100th goal of the league season in the win which looked unlikely when Tarren Moxon put Freckleton ahead.

Kevin Edgar and Matthew Lowe turned it round before half-time and Peter Atkinson Jones extended the lead.

Jack Williams reduced the arrears but within seconds Hesketh Bank had made it 4-2, Edgar audaciously scoring straight from the kick off.

Birkby himself added gloss to the scoreline late on.

If Southport Hesketh can pull off an away win, Freckleton will need a point at Chipping on April 26 to make sure of survival.

Ulverston Rangers ended their home campaign with a 4-0 success over Kendal County.

Jack Milburn continued his goal-laden season with another treble and Sean Mooney also got on the scoresheet.

It’s a two-way battle for fourth between Holker Old Boys Res and Carnforth Rangers – Holker beating Presidents Cup finalists Croston Sports 3-1 and Carnforth earning a 2-1 win at Askam United.

A Frankie Ellis double and Joe McGladdery’s strike put Holker 3-0 up with John Sharples replying for Croston.

A few miles down the A595, Jack Stoker had put Askam ahead only for Carnforth to hit back through Will Mead and Jordan Darby.

In the final game in Division One, Crooklands Casuals enjoyed a 2-0 win at Turton with Luke Armstrong and Lee Irving doing the damage early on.

Into Division Two now and Stoneclough kept alive their slim chances of promotion with a 1-0 win at Walney Island.

Joe Howlin’s goal lifted Stoneclough two points clear of Kendal United who have four games in hand.

The two sides meet next week – a win for Stoneclough in that game could make it squeaky-bum time for the Cumbrians, who have a busy end of season.

Pause United took another small step towards the title with a point in a 0-0 draw at Dalton United while Storeys enjoyed a 7-0 defeat of Galgate – with outfield player-turned-goalkeeper Luke Atkinson popping up a late header to put the cherry on top of their 16th win of the season.

Joe Waring (3) and Joel Creech (2) and Reece Pearce had done the damage earlier in the game.

Atkinson, who has played in goals the last four games due to an injury to the normal keeper, then came up for an injury-time corner and powered a header into the far corner, all captured wonderfully on camera by a spectator.

Click HERE to watch it.

Bamber Bridge Res and Charnock Richard Res but hit six – the former in a 6-2 win over Caton and the latter a 6-1 victory over Thornton Cleveleys Res.

Lewis Pilgrim hit four at Irongate for Brig with Jack Wareing and Taylor Maguire also netting for the home side – Tommy Varey and Lloyd Tripett netting for Caton.

Arrandale Richards led the way for Charnock with a double an further goals from Noah Hobbs, Dan Metge, Mitchell Johnson and Mason Booth sealing a resounding win. Dany Hadcraft was the sole marksman for Thornton.

Garstang Res could yet finish above Caton United after a 3-1 win over Mill Hill.

Anthony Harkness had put the visitors ahead but Garstang roared back through Luke Williams, Joseph Painter and Lewis Heap.

Just the three games in Reserve Division One as runners-up Fulwood Amateurs Res came away from Eagley with a point in a 2-2 draw.

Eagley were pegged back twice, Zach Browne Karanja and Kieran Lomax on target. Wes Enoma had levelled for Fulwood and the visitors again replied late on through Alfie Raymond.

Chipping Res beat Coppull Res 2-1 thanks to goals from Will Heane and Jonny Trimbell, with Noel Ellis the goalscorer for Coppull, while CMB Res and Haslingden St Mary’s Res cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw.

In Reserve Division Two, Croston Res had the most eye-catching win with a 7-0 victory on the road at Stoneclough Res.

Ric Tomlinson was another player to bag four in the victory with Alex Abbott getting a hat-trick.

Caton Res jumped two places with a 3-2 defeat of Milnthorpe Res.
Spencer Drake, Ethan Smith and Declan Lightfoot had put Caton in a seemingly comfortable position but goals from Cameron Hollywood and Lucas Schofield set up a nervy finale.

And Lytham Town Res ended their season with three points in a 2-1 victory over Pause United Res.

Ryan Worrall opened the scoring for Pause with Oliver Heywood and Seb Porter scoring towards the end of both halves to earn Lytham the three points.

In an all-West Lancashire League Westmorland Senior Cup final on Friday night, Milnthorpe beat Kendal United 2-1 after extra time.

In front of 1,123 spectators at Kendal Town’s Parkside ground on Friday night, Matty Casson put Milnthorpe ahead after 15 minutes before Jamie Looker levelled before half-time.

Harry Morrison’s clever back heel won it for Garry Thompson’s men in the first period of extra time.