Thou shalt not pass - Fulwood keeper's remarkable clean sheet mission

Aaron Lancaster has gone more than 630 minutes without conceding a goal between the posts for Fulwood Amateurs in the West Lancashire League – a run which dates back to December 18!

His shut-outs have been key to Fulwood’s attempts to haul in leaders Thornton Cleveleys, with Tony Hesketh’s men now in the driving seat in the Premier League if they win their games in hand.

Aaron, 19, said: “I got two or three clean sheets and I thought to myself, let’s get a snowball effect going here.

“Some games I’ve not had more than three saves to make and I’ve got to put that down to the defenders being on the ball and protecting me well.

“I had to make a good save against Whitehaven on Saturday with my feet but I must admit as it’s gone on, I’ve thought how many can I get?

“My personal target is 10 consecutive clean sheets – I want to get 10.”

Records for consecutive clean sheets are sketchy but Manchester United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar holds the Premier League record with 14, achieved back in 2008/09.

Aaron, a Manchester United fan, joked: “Ok, I’ll aim for 15 then!”

Lancaster’s latest blunting of opposition strikeforces saw Whitehaven leave Lightfoot Lane empty-handed as Fulwood won 3-0.

Fulwood are now 11 points behind pacesetters Thornton with four games in hand, meaning their destiny is in their hands for the first time since August with nine games to play.

Aaron also plays for AFC Fylde U19s midweek and starred in Fylde’s run to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup last season where they were defeated by Chelsea, despite a series of spectacular saves from the Garstang-based youngster.

He has also made one appearance for Fylde’s first team, a 4-1 FA Trophy win against Curzon Ashton last season.

But his attention is now on the West Lancashire League title run in – with Thornton and Fulwood set to meet on March 19 on the Fylde coast.

“Thornton had an amazing start to the season, and their away record is incredible,” said Aaron, who studies Sports Development at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

“But they’ve lost three at home so we go there confident.

“After the game on Saturday we went for our food as normal and someone in the background shouted that Thornton had lost at home.

"So everyone got their phones out, like you do, and were looking at the league table. It’s given us more of a chance but we still have to win those games in hand.”

Aaron is one of a number of young guns in Fulwood’s first team squad flourishing under Hesketh’s tutelage – and he has nothing but praise for the former Chorley and Lancaster manager.

“He’s great, I don’t think I could ask for a more perfect manager,” he said.

“He has a great mix – a great drive for us to win but also understanding that it’s about developing players too.

"He listens – some managers when they have that drive can be very tunnel visioned and that sometimes is not a good thing.

“Tony brings out everyone’s good qualities and we love playing for him.”

Aaron’s record run
Jan 8 – Fulwood 0-0 Coppull
Jan 15 – Fulwood 0-0 Euxton
Jan 22 – Fulwood 4-0 St Helens (LFA Shield)
Jan 29 – Fulwood 2-0 Turton
Feb 5 – Burscough Richmond 0-2 Fulwood
Feb 12 – Fulwood 3-0 Lytham Town
March 5 – Fulwood 3-0 Whitehaven