Last-gasp Rossendale in pole position after dramatic win

CMB put in a five-star display on Saturday, as the Premier Division’s leading trio all picked up maximum points to extend their cushion over the rest of the league.

Poulton, CMB and Burscough Richmond all won at the weekend to remain within two points of each other, whilst extending the gap to fourth-placed Slyne with Hest, who were in cup action, to eight.

We start with CMB, who currently sit second, two points off top spot with a game in hand on leaders Poulton, after a 5-1 win over Whitehaven.

Callum Yeasley hit a brace, whilst Ben Thornton, Charlie Scholes and Callum Cornes also got on the scoresheet. Kian Goulding got Whitehaven’s only goal of the game.

Sitting just behind CMB on goal difference, and with two further games in hand, are Burscough Richmond, who beat Vickerstown 3-1.

Goals from Mike Smith, Josh Niblock and Billy Whittle secured the points for Burscough Richmond, with Diesel Wilkes netting what would prove to be a consolation for Vickerstown just before the hour mark.

Meanwhile, Poulton held on to top spot as goals from Nick Hepple, Jack Wyers-Roebuck and Max Landless saw them record a 3-0 win against Wyre Villa.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Blackpool Wren Rovers came from a goal down to pick up a deserved 4-1 win at Fulwood Amateurs.

Harrison Walsh opened the scoring for the hosts with a neat finish from Matt Van Wyk's pull back.

Carl Eastwood slid home on the stroke of half time to send both sides in at the break on level terms.

Two close range finishes from Luke McNaughton and Olly Hesford broke Fulwood's resistance and Eastwood rounded off a fine afternoon's work for Craig Doble's men with a fourth as the light faded.

Hurst Green also ran in four as they defeated Milnthorpe Corinthians 4-2.

James Wolfenden, Jack Holligan, Daniel Mort and Liam Dewhurst all scored in the win, whilst Shaun Gardner and Jenson Butterworth found the net for Milnthorpe Corinthians.

And rounding off this week’s Premier Division action, second half strikes from Adam Sumner and Tommy Dollin saw Thornton Cleveleys beat Lytham Town 2-0.

Division One: Rossendale rally late to take top spot

Late goals from Henry Hindle and Adam McInnes saw Rossendale seal a remarkable 4-3 win over Lostock St Gerards in a dramatic top of the table clash.

Scott Hammill opened the scoring for Lostock St Gerards, who led the league going into this weekend’s games, only for Michael Saunders and Tom Hartley to make it 2-1 Rossendale heading into half-time.

Lostock St Gerards would though regain the lead thanks to goals from Issac Loftus and Ryan Salmon, before the pendulum swung once more, as first Hindle and then McInnes scored in the 87th and 92nd minute respectively to snatch victory for Rossendale and send them to the summit.

Hesketh Bank also leapfrogged Lostock St Gerards in the table to go second, after James Hanson scored the only goal of the game to hand them a 1-0 win at Ulverston Rangers.

As the tussle at the top suggested though, late drama was to be the theme of the day in Division One.

Southport Hesketh rescued a point in stoppage time, whilst Askam United and Horwich St Mary’s Victoria both secured victory with goals late on.

Connor Walmsley’s brace looked to have handed Kendal County victory at Southport Hesketh, even after Joe Tierney had halved the deficit for the hosts.

However, Craig Massam would score in the 91st minute to level the game at 2-2 and secure a share of the spoils for Southport Hesketh.

Joey Blackshaw also hit a double for Crooklands Casuals, but it wouldn’t be enough to prevent Askam United recording a 3-2 victory.

Blackshaw’s goals, the latter coming from the penalty spot, twice brough Crooklands Casuals, after first Aiden Pearson and then Jordan Rayner had given Askam United the lead.

However, Kyle Jefferson would find the net in the 86th minute to restore Askam United’s lead for a third time, and this time it would prove decisive.

Meanwhile, Alex Mackenzie netted an 88th minute winner for Horwich St Mary’s Victoria in their 2-1 over Haslingden St Marys, that after Connor Dalton’s opener had been cancelled out by an own goal.

A Dion Holden double set Croston Sports on their way to a 4-0 win over Carnforth Rangers, with Harvey Parker and Jack Mahon also getting on the scoresheet.

And finally in Division One, Stoneclough beat Hawcoat Park 3-0 thanks to an Aaqil Campbell brace either side of a goal from Jack Potter.

Division Two: Bajrallu hits brace for battling Astley and Buckshaw

Wes Bajrallu led the fight as Astley and Buckshaw twice came two goals down to rescue a point against Chipping in a remarkable 4-4 draw.

Jack Fletcher and Gregg Trimbell put Chipping two up inside the opening 20 minutes, only for goals for Wes Alexander and Bajrallu to level the game back up before the half hour mark.

An Anthony Slater strike and Trimbell’s second of the game restored Chipping’s two goal cushion, before Danny Smith pulled another back for Astley and Buckshaw.

Bajrallu would then complete his brace, netting in the 91st minute to secure a hard-earned point for his side.

Burnley United also put in a spirited performance, twice having to fight from a goal down on their way to a 3-2 win over Garstang Reserves.

Bobby Carter’s brace cancelled out goals from Luke Williams and Danny Squires, before Mackenzie Rosebotham netted what would prove to be the winner for Burnley United.

Robbie McMurdo scored all four of Dalton United’s goals as they recorded a 4-1 win at Cartmel, who saw their only goal scored by Ryan Patterson.

Bailey Kenny, Finlay Richardson, Macro Thompson and George Key all got on the scoresheet as Kendal United beat Storeys 4-2.

Liam Jackson and Callum Moorhead pulled goals back for Storeys late on, but it would ultimately prove too little, too late.

At top the top of the table, Faryl Foster scored the only goal of the game as leaders Holker Old Boys Reserves beat Pause United 1-0, whilst second-placed Freckleton beat AFC Blackpool Reserves 2-1.

Joe Bentley hit the winner for Freckleton, after Samson Ogundaisi’s goal had been cancelled out by Declan Bond.
Elsewhere, Charnock Richard Reserves beat Galgate 3-1.

Division One Reserve: Leaders put in gr-eight showing

Table toppers Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves proved their worth this weekend, as they beat Horwich St Mary’s Victoria Reserves 8-0.

Luke Smith hit four goals in the win, whilst Ellis Wilson bagged a brace and Finn Marsh and Anthony Utomi grabbed a goal apiece.
Second-placed Lostock St Gerards Reserves recovered from a goal down to beat Hurst Green Reserves 2-1, with Danny Fryer and James Morley completing the turnaround after Matthew Bagot had opened the scoring.

CMB Reserves beat Coppull United Reserves 1-0, whilst the scheduled fixture between Fulwood Amateurs Reserves and Croston Sports Reserves was postponed.

Division Two Reserve: Brad’s brace sees Rossendale Reserves register victory

Two goals from Brad Marsh helped Rossendale Reserves win 3-2 at Carnforth Rangers Reserves, despite a late rally from the hosts.

Milan Tinat opened the scoring for Rossendale Reserves, before Marsh’s double gave them a 3-0 lead.

Goals from Cameron Holmes and Ben Turton cut the deficit to one with five minutes to play, but Rossendale Reserves would hold to take the win.

That results saw Rossendale Reserves move into second, and close the gap on leaders Eagley Reserves, who saw their game at Lytham Town Reserves postponed.

Hesketh Bank Reserves were prevented from captialising on the opportunity to gain ground by Chipping Reserves, who beat the previously second-placed side 3-2.

Eoin Richie scored twice for Chipping Reserves, either side of a goal for Kieran Smithson, whilst David Yeates and John Ashcroft found the net for Hesketh Bank Reserves.

Will Booth’s brace made sure of the points for Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves as they beat Haslingden St Marys Reserves 4-1.

Tom Pearson and Dan Nowell both netted inside the opening five minutes for Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves, before Toby Wilkinson pulled one back for Haslingden St Marys Reserves on the hour.

However, Booth’s goals would end any chance of a comeback.
And rounding off this weekend’s league action, Fulwood Amateurs A put in an impressive performance on the road as they won 5-0 at Storeys Reserves.

Will Simm’s scored twice, whilst Joe Collins, Jimmy McLennon and James Sidebottom grabbed a goal apiece.

Richardson Cup: Slyne with Hest secure passage in style

Two second round Richardson Cup ties were played this weekend, and Slyne with Hest were the standout performers, registering an 8-2 win at Eagley.

Joe Wareing hit a hat-trick, Robbie Mooring scored twice, whilst Slyne with Hest’s other goals came courtesy of Rob Slinger, Regan Crossley and an own goal.

Bailey Wallace scored both of Eagley’s goals.

In the other tie, Tempest United saw off Coppull United 2-1, with Jordan Pendlebury scoring the winner after an early own goal was cancelled out by Coppull United’s Jordan Lorde.

Lancashire Amateur Cup- Euxton Villa Reserves victorious

Completing this weekend’s action is the sole Lancashire Amateur Cup 3rd round tie to be played on Saturday, which saw Euxton Villa Reserves beat Turton Reserves 3-1.