Marvellous Milnthorpe earn key win as eyes turn to cup glory elsewhere

There were just two games taking place in the Premier Division on Saturday.

Jenson Butterworth’s brace helped Milnthorpe Corinthians pick up three valuable points at Vickerstown, with a goal from Tom Jackson sealing a 3-0 win for only Shaun Gardner's men's second win of the season.

Meanwhile, Wyre Villa and Blackpool Wren Rovers played out a 1-1 draw after Oliver Hesford opener for Blackpool Wren Rovers was cancelled out almost immediately by Wyre Villa’s Luke Smith.

Wrens are fifth while Villa remain 11th.

Division One: Forshaw and Fletcher bring the firepower

Whilst there was only one game in Division One this weekend, there was no shortage of entertainment as Croston Sports ran out 8-2 winners over Stoneclough.

Mark Forshaw and Ryan Fletcher both grabbed hat-tricks for Croston Sports, whilst Dion Holden netted a double. Anail Campbell also scored twice for Stoneclough.

Division Two: Holker Old Boys Reserves smash six to go to summit

Holker Old Boys Reserves went to the top of the Division Two table with a 6-1 win against Pause United.

Pause United initially took the lead through Wayne Beswick, but two goals from Farrell Foster, along with strikes from Freddie Lawton, Charlie McGladdery, Matthew Roberts and Sol Stanway saw Holker Old Boys Reserves ultimately take the three points.

Euxton Villa Reserves, who played their first round Lancashire Amateur Cup tie last weekend, made an ideal return to league action as they beat local rivals Charnock Richard Reserves 4-2.

A brace from Lewis Pilgrim and an Ash Ball goal saw Euxton Villa Reserves take a 3-0 lead, before goals from Jake Topping and Taylor Brickell gave Charnock Richard Reserves a genuine route back into the game.

However, Ben Robinson-Parker would add a fourth for Euxton Villa Reserves and they would hold on to secure victory.

Kendal United however were able to come back and secure a point as they fought from two down to draw 2-2 at Walney Island.

Goals from Matthew McKee and James Bailey put Walney Island 2-0 up, before George Key and Ryan Close netted for Kendal United to ensure that the points would be shared.

Finally in Division Two, AFC Blackpool Reserves beat Garstang
Reserves 2-0 thanks to goals from Danny James and Jack Flackett.

Division One Reserve: Dollin at the double

A brace from Billy Dollin saw Thornton Cleveleys Reserves beat Fulwood Amateurs Reserves 2-0, a result which sees Thornton Cleveleys Reserves go second.

Lostock St Gerards Reserves remain top of the division, and they pulled further clear with a 5-0 win over Tempest United Reserves, with Josh Ashcroft, Alex Howarth, Adam Whittaker, Jonny Wilding and James Morley all finding the net.

Hurst Green Reserves triumphed 3-1 over Croston Sports Reserves thanks to goals from Zac Foley, Liam Dewhurst and Scott Craven. Oliver Jones scored what would prove to be a consolation for Croston Sports Reserves.

Finlay Stafford scored the only goal of the game as CMB Reserves beat Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves 1-0 whilst elsewhere, Horwich St Mary’s Victoria Reserves and Coppull United Reserves drew 1-1.

Division Two Reserve: Eagley Reserves edge closer to the top

Second-placed Eagley Reserves beat league leaders Rossendale Reserves 2-0 to close the gap at the top of the league to two points.

Haslingden St Marys Reserves are now in third and just three points from the summit after they beat Lytham Town Reserves 4-2.

Charlie Hulse and Henry Hindle both bagged braces for Haslingden St Marys Reserves, whilst Kai Clarkson and Adam Zyda found the net for Lytham Town Reserves.

Fulwood Amateurs A beat Thornton Cleveleys A 5-1 thanks to two goals from Matthew Burton, along with goals from Chris Pye, Jamie Lynch and Joey Higham. Eddie Peel got Thornton Cleveleys A’s only goal of the game.

Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves also secured victory with a 4-1 win over Storeys Reserves.

Milnthorpe Corinthians Reserves’ goals came courtesy of James Parkinson, Harry Harper, Adam Pashley and an own goal, whilst Storeys Reserves found the net through Kyle Summers.

Hesketh Bank Reserves and Chipping Reserves played out a 1-1 draw, with John Ashcroft’s opener for Hesketh Bank Reserves cancelled out by Kieran Smithson of Chipping Reserves.

Lancashire Amateur Shield- First Round: Last year’s finalists off to a flyer

Fulwood Amateurs got the defence of their Lancashire Amateur Shield crown off to a perfect start as they beat Horwich RMI 11-0.

The 2021/22 runners-up, Slyne with Hest, also kicked off their cup campaign in fine fashion with an 8-2 win over Ashley and Tyldsley.

In total, eight sides from the Premier Division secured victory to take their place in the second round, including league leaders Poulton, who beat Division One outfit Crooklands Casuals 3-0.

Turton also advanced with victory over Division One opposition as they saw off Askam United 2-0, whilst Poulton’s fellow Premier Division high-flyers Burscough Richmond beat Atherton Town 4-0 to secure their safe passage.

Round one threw up two all-Premier Division ties, and it was Hurst Green and CMB who emerged victorious, beating Coppull United and Tempest United 1-0 and 3-1 respectively.

Daten beat Lytham Town 3-2 in the final game to see a Premier Division side bow out.

Thornton Cleveleys were the Premier Division’s final victors, as they won 4-3 on penalties against Avenue MFL after the game ended level at 1-1.

Three sides from Division One also progressed to round two, with two overcoming fellow Division One outfits.

Carnforth Rangers beat Hawcoat Park 2-0, whilst Hesketh Bank also secured victory by the same scoreline as they saw off Eagley.

Ulverston Rangers were the final Division One side to make it through, and they too overcame West Lancashire League opposition, defeating Division Two’s Galgate 1-0.

Lostock St Gerards were unable to replicate Ulverston Rangers’ success, as they were beaten 3-2 by Storeys in an impressive display from the Division Two side.

The remaining Division One sides in first round action, namely Haslingden St Mary’s, Southport Hesketh and Rossendale, all also exited the competition.

Haslingden St Mary’s fell to Bolton Lads and Girls Club 4-0, Southport Hesketh lost 3-0 at Goldbourne Sports Club, and Rossendale also lost 3-0 as they were eliminated by Hindford.

Division Two outfits Chipping and Freckleton, who sit third and fourth respectively, were unable to translate their positive league form into cup competition as they were both beaten.

Chipping lost 5-2 to Whalley Range, whilst Freckleton suffered a 3-0 home defeat against Rochdale Sacred Heart.

Cartmel also bowed out after a 3-0 defeat after they were beaten by Manchester Gregorians.

In the only all-Division Two side of the round, Burnley United secured a 4-1 victory over Dalton United.