Premier Division Review 19th March 2016

SIX times Premier Division Champions Charnock Richard fired themselves right back into the title race on Tuesday evening at Mossie Park when two goals from Mike Fletcher on 39 minutes and Dan Smith after 68 wrapped up the points against local rivals Euxton Villa (writes Howard Jones).
And while manager Andy Westwell’s (who incidently celebrated 15 years in the Charnock hot seat this week) side are still nine points adrift of leaders Fulwood Amateurs, they have five games in hand and anyone who is a betting man would say that Westwell’s boys are odds on as the title race goes into its final months.
Charnock’s win came on the back of another fine performance at the weekend when they took the spoils off fourth place Longridge Town, also at Mossie Park and by the same scoreline 2-0.
This time a mix up in the visitors defence gifted Dave Fisher his goal after seven minutes and then 22 goal machine Carl Grimshaw slammed in a 72nd minute penalty to deny Lee Ashcroft’s side a chance to get back into, what was a tight affair.
Other games at the weekend saw a mixture of results, but arguably the result of the day game at Coppull, where the home side fell to two first half goals from Hesketh Bank.
Ricky Burns got the first after 15 minutes and Josh Brierley got number two 10 minutes later (25) as the West Lancashire side enjoyed another away day success.
Indeed it’s remarkable that they have won three times more away games (six) than at their Station Road home (two) this season to suggest that they might like to stay on the road for longer spells in future!
The win however, moved them away from the danger zone where they have so often been in recent seasons and this three points all but cements their place in the Premier Division for next season.
Elsewhere there were wins also, both at home for Southport Hesketh who saw off a tame performance by Slyne with Hest at Bankfield Lane 1-0, thanks to a Simon Hill goal six minutes before the break, while at Thornton Cleveleys the home side defeated visitors Crooklands Casuals 2-0 thanks to goals either side of half-time from Mike McAlpine after 31 minutes and a Brett Dawson strike five minutes from time (85).
But the shock, score wise of the day came up on Walney Island where the home side Vickerstown thrashed bottom club Lostock St. Gerards 6-1.
No surprise in that except that Vickerstown had shipped six themselves three days earlier when being knocked out of the Richardson Cup at Longridge 6-2.
It was a remarkable turn around for the Cumbrian outfit who enjoyed their day thanks to a Danny Keenan hat-trick with goals after 6, 64 and 66 minutes, while Robert Bruce (27) and two goals from Sean Paterson (33 and 65) got their other efforts.
Oli Evans got Lostock’s consolation at 6-0 with a 79th minute strike, but Vickerstown’s three goals in three minutes just after the hour mark finally sunk the Preston side who are now on the brink of relegation, although with 13 games to go and 12 of them at home, they still remarkably have their destiny firmly in their own hands - or should that be feet?
At Euxton Villa there wasn’t much for the fans to enthuse about in a goalless draw with Garstang, while leaders Fulwood Amateurs shocked everyone by only drawing 1-1 at home to second bottom Burnley United to suggest that their title bid is falling away.
A Steve Riley penalty gave the visitors the lead just four minutes before the break, but Sam Braithwaite rescued a point for the leaders just five minutes from the final whistle.
But arguably the game of the day came at Eagley where ex-professional and player-manager Simon Whaley nicked a point for his side against visitors Blackpool Wren Rovers with an 80th minute penalty.
The score has doubtless hurt Wrens title ambitions and the loss of two points may well cost them dear as the title race hots up.
Indeed the Flyde side raced into a 3-0 lead after only half an hour thanks to two goals from Gary Pett (10, 20) and a Max Landless strike (30).
That then was the signal for a Eagley revival with Simon Neary bagging two goals either side of the break (40 and 60) to fire the home side back into the fray and then up popped Whaley to rescue a late point for the home side.
In the Richardson Cup this past week there have been wins for Longridge Town over Vickerstown in their first ever floodlit game 6-2 and at Garstang where the home side saw off the challenge of Blackpool Wren Rovers 2-1.
David Jack’s 68th minute goal proving the knockout blow for Wrens who had levelled after 49 minutes through Gary Pett, after a 41st minute opener for Garstang by Danny Birch had set them on their way.
At Longridge prolific marksman Brad Carsley bagged two in the opening seven minutes (4 7) to fire the home side on their way (that’s 33 goals in league and cup now for him) and there were more in store for the home fans when Kieran Walmsley scored from the spot after 27 minutes with Ash Ball adding a fourth right on half time (45), but not before Danny Keenan had pulled one back for the visitors from the spot after 32.
But it was his second penalty miss just after the break that stalled the Vickerstown fightback when his spot kick was saved by Town ‘keeper Rob Batty.
Robert Bruce added another for the visitors prior to Keenan’s spot miss after 52 minutes, but two late team goals converted by Troy Carsley after 80 and 90 minutes booked Town’s place in Round Two.
The second round draw now reads: Coppull United vs. Southport Hesketh; Fulwood Amateurs vs. Charnock Richard; Garstang vs. Slyne with Hest; and Longridge Town vs. Thornton Cleveleys. Ties to be played Saturday April 2 at 3pm.