Saturday’s fixtures delivered drama across every division and cup competition, but none more so than the eight‑goal spectacle that stole the headlines. From dominant performances and late winners to full‑throttle cup classics, the day showcased everything grassroots football has to offer. And at the heart of it all was the undisputed match of the day: Burscough Dynamo and Broughton Amateurs trading blows in a 4–4 thriller that went the distance, ending in a tense penalty shootout. It was a weekend where passion, resilience and pure entertainment were on full display.
Division One
Astley FC Reserves 1–9 Wigan Rovers
Wigan Rovers delivered a statement performance, tearing out of the blocks with Callum Bayliss striking twice early on to set the tone. Even when Joseph Stead briefly gave Astley hope, Rovers simply shifted gears, showing ruthless precision in the final third. The movement, the pressure, and the finishing — it all looked a level above as they dictated proceedings from start to finish.
The second half turned into a showcase of attacking variety. Nick Cookson, Phil Parkinson, and a pair of substitutes — Calum Fairhurst and Louie Clayton — all joined the party before Bayliss completed his hat‑trick. Late strikes from Owen Jackson and Sam Young rounded off a remarkable team performance that left Rovers looking every bit like a side with promotion ambitions.
Sir Tom Finney 4–0 New Longton Rovers
Sir Tom Finney came flying out of the traps, and Paulo Lizarde’s early opener set the tempo for a performance full of authority and composure. Conor Garrett doubled the advantage before Lizarde struck again moments later, giving STFC a commanding cushion at the break. Their control in possession and speed in wide areas made it a long afternoon for the visitors.
After halftime, Joshua Omotoyinbo’s strike sealed a dominant display. From there, Sir Tom Finney managed the game superbly, keeping New Longton at arm’s length and never allowing momentum to shift. It was a polished, confident victory that highlighted the team’s blend of sharp finishing and disciplined structure.
Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves 2–0 Standish St Wilfrids Reserves
S&A Amateurs Reserves looked the sharper side throughout, and Charles Lunt’s composed first‑half finish reflected their early control. They stretched the play well and consistently found pockets of space, forcing Standish deeper as the half wore on.
The second half followed a similar script, with Jack Osborne’s well‑taken goal giving the hosts breathing room. From there, they managed the game with maturity — compact when needed, expressive when space opened — securing a deserved clean sheet and three points.
Tarleton Corinthians A 2–3 Westgate Hawks
This was a proper end‑to‑end contest, with Tarleton Corinthians battling hard through goals from Jake Pilkington and David Yeates. But Westgate Hawks had the sharper edge inside the penalty area, led by a brace from Connor Mason and a decisive finish from Devon Hill. The visitors’ clinical touch proved the difference in a vibrant five‑goal encounter.
Division Two
AFC Ainsdale Reserves 1–0 Shevington Reserves
Ainsdale Reserves edged a tight contest with a moment of quality from James Niedzwiecki just before the break. It was a match defined by fine margins — both sides worked tirelessly in midfield, but it was Ainsdale’s sharper reactions in the box that delivered the breakthrough.
The second half required grit rather than flair, with Ainsdale standing firm against Shevington’s push for an equaliser. Calm defending and disciplined shape saw them through in a game where every duel mattered. A narrow win, but one earned through resilience as much as poise.
Appley Bridge Development 1–7 New Longton Rovers Reserves
New Longton Rovers Reserves produced an explosive attacking display, running up seven goals with a superb spread of contributions. Ryan Cromie opened the scoring before Leon Merella doubled the lead, and Zak Slater took control with a brilliant hat‑trick that showcased both power and precision. Daniel Hodson and Nahum Danis added late finishes to cap a dominant team performance.
Appley Bridge pulled one back and kept their competitive edge throughout, but the visitors’ tempo and clinical finishing proved decisive in a match where Rovers looked sharp and in rhythm from start to finish.
Marsh United A 0–6 Lostock St Gerards Blue
Lostock St Gerards Blue delivered a commanding away performance, racing into a 3–0 halftime lead and never looking back. Daniel Rowland stole the headlines with a clinical hat‑trick, supported by goals from Paul Farrow, Frederick Haughton, and Joseph Topley. Their attacking rhythm and off‑the‑ball pressure kept Marsh pinned back for long stretches, rounding off a polished, confident victory.
Guildhall Cup – Quarter Finals
Burscough Dynamo 4–4 (Pens 3–1) Broughton Amateurs AFC
This was cup football at its most chaotic and entertaining. Both sides traded blows all afternoon, with Burscough Dynamo finding the net through Curtis Carberry, Joshua Middleton, Luke Wilson and Isaac da Conceicao. But Broughton, backed by goals from James Charlson, Benjamin Fry, Oliver Jones and Liam Bell, refused to let the game get away from them. A classic that swung one way then the other.
Marsh United 2–1 Eccleston & Heskin
Marsh United edged a competitive tie with goals from Aaron Hoyle and Daniel Martin, showing both creativity and persistence in the key moments. David McMillan kept Eccleston & Heskin in the contest with a well‑taken reply, but Marsh managed the closing stages with discipline to secure their place in the next round.
Standish St Wilfrids 2–1 Hoole United
Standish St Wilfrids flew out of the blocks with Joseph Burkes striking inside the opening three minutes, giving the hosts the perfect platform in a tightly contested cup tie. Hoole United grew into the game after the break and were rewarded when Dean Tierney slotted home the equaliser just before the hour. But with tension rising late on, it was Callan Jones Browning who produced the decisive moment, firing Standish back in front on 86 minutes to send them through to the next round.
Adding to the spectacle, Donna Artis Photography was at pitchside capturing the full story of the match — including all three goals — in both photos and video. Supporters can relive the action here
Full Photo Album | Goal Highlights Video:
Walmer Bridge 7–3 Astley FC
Walmer Bridge came out firing, racing into a 5–0 halftime lead with a masterclass of attacking play. Zak Deaves was electric with a first‑half hat‑trick, supported by goals from Liam Goggin and Dominic Case. The hosts’ tempo and directness caused problems throughout, and they carried that momentum into the second half, adding further strikes via Case again and Dylan Chauhan.
Credit to Astley FC, who showed spirit after the break through goals from Tom Crook, Sonny Pilgrum and sub Leon Ofuonyemegi. Their response added a competitive edge to the second half, but the early damage proved too much to overturn in a high‑scoring cup encounter.