Hesketh hoodoo over after 378 days!

At long last, a period of merciful weather allowed a full schedule of West Lancashire League across both league and cup.

Below is a round up of the all the best from that league action.

And we start, as always, in the Premier Division, where Rossendale recorded an emphatic 6-0 victory over Wyre Villa.

Tom Hulme scored twice in the win, and was joined on the scoresheet by Adam McIness, Luke Simpson, Scott Wylie, Ryan Siddle.

At Cleator Moor Celtic, second half goals from Bradley Rooney and Ben McCaron saw the home side rally to claim a commendable 2-2 draw against title favourites CMB.

A Carl Grimshaw double had initially put the visitors two up heading into the break.

That result allowed Thornton Cleveleys to jump to the top of the table with a 3-1 win at Blackpool Wren Rovers, albeit having played three more games than the previous leaders.

An Archie Lang brace and Jordan Beavers goal were enough to send their side to the summit, whilst Ben Duffield registered what would prove a consolation for the hosts late on.

Spencer Lucas and Will Pitt netted either side of a Matthew Hawkins equaliser as Fulwood Amateurs beat Burscough Richmond 2-1, whilst Coppull United also triumphed 2-1, coming from behind to claim victory over Lostock St Gerards.

Luke Goodeve gave Lostock the lead on the half-hour mark, before a quickfire double from Cameron Murphy and Alessio Degrassi completed a late turnaround.

And last, but by no means least, in our look at the Premier Division are Whitehaven, who picked up a 4-1 win against Slyne with Hest, with Kian Goulding and Owen Woodburn both scoring twice.

Liam Rodgers got Slyne’s only goal.

Division One saw a significant result on Saturday, as Southport Hesketh secured a first win of the season in the form of a 2-1 victory over Holker Old Boys Reserves.

First half strikes from Muhammed Sameteh and Joe Tieney ensured their side picked up three points for the first time in over 12 months, that despite Charlie McGladdery halving the deficit just after the hour.

Their last win came against Hawcoat Park way back on February 25, 2023.

Diamant Pllana, Aiden Pearson, Corey Fittes, Joe Tindall and Sam Purslow all got on the scoresheet as Askam United eventually overcame Crooklands Casuals 5-2, with Harvey Irving’s fifth minute opener and a second half equaliser from Nathan Tracy ultimately coming in vain.

Meanwhile, a brace from Jay Hayton, along with goals from Cameron Khan and Jake Blamire, sealed a 4-1 win for Kendal County against Hesketh Bank, whose only goal came via an own goal.

Astley and Buckshaw picked up another big result in Division Two, defeating Walney Island 3-0 to put further daylight between themselves and their fellow promotion hopefuls.

Jamal John opened the scoring nine minutes in, before Adnaan Patel and Scott Hammill struck in the second half.

The division’s other game of the weekend, meanwhile, proved a real thriller, as Storeys eventually saw off Caton United 4-3.

Goals from Robbie Mooring, Joe Wareing, Liam Jackson and Dominic Hoyle secured the win, despite the best efforts of Simon Wearing, Joe Jenkinson and Ryan Lackey.

In Division One Reserve, Nick Skelly scored a hat-trick as Tempest United Reserves beat Poulton Reserves 6-0, with Ben Patel, Sean Rothwell and an own goal completing a comprehensive victory.

Fulwood Amateurs Reserves also enjoyed a relatively straightforward afternoon, scoring four without reply to keep the pressure on Thornton Cleveleys Reserves at the top.

Hugo Strand scored twice in the game, whilst Layton Kirnon and Reece Jones got one apiece.

The league leaders, however, appear up to the challenge so far, with a Danny Sumner goal and Jake Mangan brace securing a 3-2 win over Rossendale Reserves, who saw both of their goals scored by Matthew Ward.

CMB Reserves came from behind to win 3-1 at Turton Reserves, with Lewis Cullen, Josh Pope and Harry Dixon completing a second half comeback after William Wright-Thompson had put the hosts in front.

Meanwhile, late goals from Fraser Murdoch and Aaron Redding saw Lostock St Gerards Reserves pick up a 2-0 win at Eagley Reserves.

Finally, we move into Division Two Reserve, where goals from Henry Harrison, Max Bryden and John Wilson saw Chipping Reserves beat Haslingden St Mary’s Reserves 3-2 in a top of the table clash.

Sam Gammack and Charlie Lord were the scorers for the leaders who, despite the defeat, still enjoy a healthy advantage at the top.

Two goals from Ricardo Mwale rounded off an emphatic victory for Carnforth Rangers Reserves, with that brace coming after Dan Foden, Will Meade, Will Beeden and Lewis Spurr had already struck in a 6-1 win at Thornton Cleveleys A.

James Oldham got the only goal for the hosts.

Croston Sports Reserves also won handsomely away from home, with Ben Wilcock, Jamie Lynch, Josh Hill, Toby Cross and Harry Bradley all on target in a 5-2 triumph at Rossendale A, whose goals came via Connor Glover and Owen Bradley.

And we wrap our look at this week’s league action with Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves, who claimed a 2-0 win against Lytham Town Reserves thanks to goals from Nick Grundy and Harry Harper.