Premiership
Bickerstaffe 2-2 Broughton Amateurs
The Broughton Amateurs came out of the gate like a pack of greyhounds chasing a rogue sausage, with Liam Bell netting twice before the half-hour mark, leaving the Bickerstaffe defense dazed and confused. First, he coolly slotted one in at the 5-minute mark, and before Bickerstaffe could catch their breath, he made it 2-0 by the 30th minute.
Bickerstaffe’s response in the second half was slow, but when they got going, it was like watching a steam train gather momentum. Though the goals weren’t listed, we know Bickerstaffe clawed back to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw. It’s a tale of two halves, with Broughton wondering what might have been if they hadn’t run out of steam.
Division One
Leyland RAFA 3-2 Astley FC
This was a rollercoaster of emotions that made the fans wish they had brought popcorn. Leyland took an early lead thanks to Jordan Griffiths’ 12th-minute opener, but Astley’s James Knott tied things up by the 29th minute, setting the tone for a frantic game.
As the second half wore on, Astley thought they’d snatched it when Tom Crook gave them a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute. But Griffiths had other plans, equalizing two minutes later and then sealing the deal with a last-gasp 90+ winner, completing his hat-trick. Leyland RAFA celebrated like they’d won the World Cup, and Astley? Well, they were left scratching their heads.
Standish St Wilfrids Reserves 4-3 Cube FC
Standish started strong with a Max Foley goal in the 38th minute, only for Cube’s Malakai Pharrelle Taylor McKenzie to level just as fast. But before halftime, James Fairhurst gave Standish the lead again. It was end-to-end madness as Taylor McKenzie equalized once more after halftime.
But Standish kept their cool, with Rob Thomas and James Harrison scoring two quick-fire goals to take a 4-2 lead. Cube made things tense when Khalid Sheikh pulled one back, but the Wilfrids held on to win in this thriller that had more plot twists than a soap opera.
Division Two
Fleetwood Hesketh 1-9 Marsh United
The Marsh United express train arrived early, with Jamie Taylor firing the first warning shot just 10 minutes in. From then on, it was a goal-fest as Fynlay Robert Wren netted a brace and Christopher Davis joined the party before Aaron Hoyle and Jamie Coulton turned the game into a rout.
Fleetwood’s Frankie Pearson mustered a consolation in the 51st minute, but it was as useful as a chocolate teapot against the tidal wave that was Marsh United. The match ended 1-9, with Fleetwood fans leaving faster than a cat at a dog show.
Division Three
AFC Ainsdale Reserves 3-2 Bickerstaffe Reserves
Ainsdale took an early lead through David Whittaker before Jack Kennedy Howlett doubled it by the 39th minute. Bickerstaffe replied with two goals to level the match just before halftime, leaving everyone wondering who would have the last laugh.
Ainsdale kept their cool, and in the 84th minute, Aldo Pimenta popped up with the winner, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Bickerstaffe fought hard, but it was AFC Ainsdale Reserves who left the field smiling.
Marsh United Reserves 5-1 Broughton Amateurs AFC Reserves
Peter Myerscough decided to start his own goal-scoring show, netting twice in the first half to put Marsh United Reserves comfortably ahead. The second half was more of the same, with Charlie-Scott Thompson, Jordan Ghorst, and Steven Richardson all finding the net.
Broughton’s lone highlight came from sub Andrew Crossthwaite, but by that point, it was like putting a plaster on a broken leg. Marsh United Reserves strolled to a 5-1 victory and celebrated like it was Christmas morning.
Walmer Bridge Reserves 2-1 Bay Rangers FC A
Walmer Bridge Reserves wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with Adam Rae striking first in the 20th minute, followed by a second from Charles Akporotu at the 35-minute mark. Bay Rangers replied almost instantly through Asa Stone, making it 2-1 just before the break.
The second half saw both teams huff and puff, but neither could blow the house down. The score stayed 2-1 as Walmer Bridge held on for the win, while Bay Rangers were left wondering where that first-half spark went.
Lancashire FA Amateur Cup
CMB Sports Club Reserves 3-2 AFC Ainsdale
AFC Ainsdale fought valiantly in this Lancashire FA Amateur Cup clash, pulling off a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to level the match early in the second half through Fabrizio Anelli and Charles Lunt. But it wasn’t to be, as CMB Sports found a third goal in the 65th minute and held on for dear life.
Ainsdale huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the CMB Sports house down. Despite the loss, they’ll be proud of their fightback—but perhaps a bit miffed at that missing final push.
Castle FC 8-0 Millhead
It was more of a landslide than a football match at Castle FC, where Ross Mills kicked off the goal fest just 5 minutes in. Leslie Comerford was on a mission, grabbing four goals, while Nathan Hagarty, Joe Nelligan, and sub Stephen Howley piled on the misery for Millhead.
It was an absolute masterclass from Castle, who treated Millhead like a speed bump on their way to an 8-0 hammering. Millhead fans left the ground in disbelief, while Castle players might need to share that match ball with their entire team.
Cherrybrook 2-0 Peel Park
Martyn Glover wasted no time putting Cherrybrook ahead, finding the net just 5 minutes in. From there, the game turned into a midfield scrap, with neither side giving an inch. Peel Park fought hard but couldn’t find a way through.
Just when it seemed like the game would end 1-0, Tommy Harban struck in the 83rd minute to put the game to bed, with an assist from Jack Crowther. Cherrybrook took home the points and left Peel Park scratching their heads.
Chipping FC A 3-3 (Pens 4-2) Croft
This game had more comebacks than a bad sequel. Croft raced to a 3-0 lead, only to be pegged back by a determined Chipping side. George Bolton started the fightback, with Reuben Keefe and Joseph Cort completing the comeback by the 84th minute.
In the shootout, Chipping kept their nerve, winning 4-2 on penalties and booking their place in the next round, while Croft will be wondering how they let this one slip through their fingers.
Highgrove 2-3 Pennington Reserve
Highgrove’s defense started with all the stability of a jelly on a trampoline, conceding twice before halftime. Pennington Reserve looked to be cruising to an easy win, but Joe Martin’s 59th-minute goal sparked a comeback that made Highgrove fans start to believe.
Harvey Ogley then leveled the score at 2-2, setting up what could have been a heroic fightback. But football has a funny way of breaking hearts, and Pennington delivered a dagger with a late winner, snatching victory 3-2 just when Highgrove had a glimmer of hope.
Little Lever Sports Club 2-4 Standish St Wilfrids
It was the Samir Sobeih show as Standish’s striker single-handedly tore apart Little Lever Sports Club, scoring four times in a dominant performance. He struck twice before halftime, leaving Little Lever’s defense in disarray. They tried to claw their way back in the second half, but Sobeih wasn’t done, netting his third and fourth goals to make sure Standish walked away with the win.
Little Lever managed to make the scoreline respectable with two late goals, but it was too little, too late. Standish’s bus home must have been buzzing, while Little Lever was probably searching for a new game plan (and a way to stop Sobeih).
Middleton & Overton Sports 1-6 Hest Bank Utd
Middleton & Overton Sports probably wish they’d stayed in bed for this one. Hest Bank Utd came out firing, taking the lead within 12 minutes and never looking back. Although Jake Dwyer gave Middleton hope with an equalizer, that hope was quickly extinguished as Hest Bank piled on the goals, adding five more to their tally.
The second half was a slow, painful march for Middleton, while Hest Bank coasted to a comfortable 6-1 win. It’s safe to say Hest Bank players celebrated with more than a few pints after this performance!
New Longton Rovers 1-6 Rochdalians AFC
This match had more cards than a poker tournament and more goals than New Longton Rovers would like to remember. Rochdalians took a commanding 4-0 lead before halftime, and despite a brief moment of joy for New Longton when George Kelly scored, things went downhill fast.
Kelly saw red shortly after, leaving Rovers a man down, and Rochdalians pounced, scoring twice more to make it 6-1. By the end, both teams had collected yellow cards like they were going out of fashion, and New Longton were left to rue a day where nothing seemed to go right.
Preston Wanderers 3-2 Southport FC U21
Preston Wanderers must have thought they had this game in the bag when they went 3-0 up by the 46th minute, with goals from Lewis Scanlan, Casey Armstrong, and Charlie Swindlehurst. Southport FC U21 were down a man after a red card in the 25th minute, but that didn’t stop them from making a dramatic late comeback.
Two goals in the final 15 minutes from Southport made for a nervy finish, but Preston held on for a 3-2 win. As the final whistle blew, Preston fans sighed with relief, while Southport must have been left thinking, “What if…?”
Shevington 2-2 Burnley Belvedere (Pens 1-3)
Louie Fitzpatrick was the hero and the heartbreaker in this dramatic clash. His opening goal gave Shevington the lead, but Burnley Belvedere quickly replied with two goals to turn the game on its head by halftime. Shevington pushed hard for an equalizer, and Fitzpatrick delivered once again in the 83rd minute to make it 2-2.
The game went to penalties, and that’s where Shevington’s luck ran out. Burnley held their nerve, winning the shootout 3-1, leaving Shevington to rue what could have been, while Burnley celebrated their progression with confidence.
Wardle 4-0 Wigan Rovers
Wardle’s dominance was evident from the first whistle, as they tore into Wigan Rovers with goals raining down in the first half. By the 38th minute, they were already 3-0 up, with Wigan looking like they were chasing shadows.
The second half didn’t provide much respite for the beleaguered Rovers, as Wardle added a fourth goal just to rub salt into the wound. Wardle’s fans were ecstatic, while Wigan left the pitch probably wishing they could forget the whole day ever happened.
Whitworth Valley 4-0 Tarleton Corinthians
Whitworth Valley took no prisoners in this one-sided affair, running out 4-0 winners against a hapless Tarleton Corinthians side. The match felt more like a training session for Whitworth as they dominated from start to finish.
Tarleton never got a look-in, as Whitworth’s relentless attack proved too much for them to handle. By the time the final whistle blew, the Corinthians players were just glad it was over, while Whitworth strolled off the pitch, barely breaking a sweat.
Winstanley St Aidans 9-1 Sir Tom Finney
Sir Tom Finney FC might want to skip the highlights reel of this game. Winstanley St Aidans ran riot, scoring nine goals and leaving Sir Tom Finney’s defense in tatters. Adrian Barbu’s lone goal for Sir Tom Finney was the football equivalent of finding a penny in an empty piggy bank—it wasn’t going to save the day.
Winstanley looked like they were having the time of their lives, scoring at will and running the show from start to finish. Sir Tom Finney will need to regroup quickly after this drubbing, but for now, Winstanley are the talk of the town.
Wyre Villa Reserves 4-3 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves
If you like late drama, this was the game for you. Southport took an early lead through Joshua Brooks and led 1-0 at halftime. The second half, however, was chaos. Wyre Villa equalized via a Travis Stringfellow penalty, but Southport regained the lead through Will Whiteside.
Then it got wild. Wyre scored twice, first through Tomas Wright and then Jake Anderton, only for Southport’s sub Reece Davies to level at 3-3. With just minutes left, Jamie Houghton popped up to score the winner for Wyre Villa, capping off a wild 4-3 thriller.