Hoole United stole the spotlight at the weekend with an astonishing 8–2 demolition of Broughton Amateurs, producing the standout scoreline of the day. But while Hoole were running riot, there was no shortage of drama elsewhere — New Longton Rovers edged Castle FC in a seven-goal thriller, and Conor Bligh’s late double inspired Southport & Ainsdale Reserves to a dramatic 3–2 comeback win over Sir Tom Finney.
PREMIERSHIP
Broughton Amateurs 2-8 Hoole United
Hoole United ran riot in this clash, putting eight past a shell-shocked Broughton Amateurs. Nathan Staines opened the scoring on 15 minutes before Tobias Foster doubled the advantage five minutes later. Adam Thomas then struck a quickfire brace on 25 and 36 minutes, with Lewis Cawood adding goals either side of Alfie Parker’s 32nd-minute strike. Substitute Daniel Kirkby rounded off the scoring late on in the 85th minute to seal a dominant away display.
Broughton Amateurs did at least find the net twice through James Charlson and Liam Bell, but those efforts were little consolation on a bruising afternoon. Hoole’s relentless attacking power simply overwhelmed the hosts, who will need to regroup quickly after such a heavy defeat.
Burscough Dynamo 0-2 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs
Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs came away with all three points thanks to a brace from substitute Cai Tremarco. The forward made his presence felt, stepping off the bench to deliver two crucial strikes that ensured the visitors took control of a tightly contested encounter. Burscough Dynamo battled hard but lacked the cutting edge to respond, leaving Southport & Ainsdale celebrating a solid away win.
Highgrove 1-4 Astley FC
Astley FC put in an assured performance away from home to beat Highgrove convincingly. Luke Robinson got the visitors off to a strong start before Aidan Townsley doubled the lead. Substitute Leon Ofuonyemegi made a big impact, coming on to net twice and stretch the margin further, sealing a deserved victory.
Highgrove’s only reply came on the stroke of half-time through Callum Rodgers, who briefly gave the hosts hope at 1-2. However, Astley dominated after the break and their ruthlessness in front of goal meant Highgrove never seriously threatened a comeback.
Standish St Wilfrids 1-1 Tarleton Corinthians
Tarleton Corinthians took a first-half lead when George Fewtrell struck in the 25th minute to put the visitors in control. They defended doggedly from that point, carrying the narrow advantage into the break and frustrating Standish for long spells.
But Standish’s persistence paid off late in the day, when Adam Simpkin struck an 89th-minute equaliser to rescue a point. Both sides will feel they could have taken more, but in the end a draw was probably a fair outcome.
Walmer Bridge 6-1 Shevington
Walmer Bridge turned on the style with a thumping win over Shevington. George Caney was in electric form, finding the net inside the opening minute and adding another on 42 minutes. Dominic Case also struck in the first minute, with further efforts from Zak Deaves, Matthew White, and Chris Stripp completing the rout.
Ewan Hamilton managed a consolation goal for Shevington, but it did little to alter the balance of the contest. Walmer were relentless and ruthless, showing their quality in a commanding performance.
DIVISION ONE
Astley FC Reserves 0-7 AFC Ainsdale
AFC Ainsdale produced a ruthless second-half display to crush Astley Reserves on their own patch. Zack Baggaley opened the scoring in just the 8th minute, and after going into the break 0-1, the visitors exploded after half-time. Matthew Coughlan doubled the advantage on 50 minutes before Liam Mackie hit a superb hat-trick with strikes on 58, 62, and 79 minutes.
Substitute Benjamin Shelbourne also helped himself to a brace with goals in the 69th and 85th minutes, as Astley were completely overwhelmed. It was a statement win for Ainsdale, who looked unstoppable once they found their rhythm.
Marsh United Reserves 1-1 Wigan Rovers
Charlie-Scott Thompson put Marsh United Reserves in front in the 29th minute, giving the home side the advantage and something to build on as they looked to close out the game. Marsh worked hard to protect their lead and looked on course for all three points.
But late drama struck when Mark Nickson popped up in the 88th minute to snatch an equaliser for Wigan Rovers. The visitors left it late but ensured they didn’t go home empty-handed, with both sides settling for a share of the spoils.
Middleton & Overton Sports FC 1-3 Wyre Villa
Michael McGrady gave Middleton & Overton a first-half lead with a well-taken strike on 24 minutes, raising hopes of a positive result for the home side. They went in at the break level, though, after Wyre Villa found a way back into the contest.
In the second half Villa showed their attacking quality, with goals coming from Toby Smith and a double from Nicholas Hardman-Apps. That firepower proved too much for Middleton, as the visitors left with a deserved 1-3 victory.
New Longton Rovers 4-3 Castle FC
In a seven-goal thriller, New Longton Rovers edged out Castle FC by the narrowest of margins. George Kelly and Christian Roach both hit braces for the home side, ensuring they always had their noses in front despite Castle’s persistence.
Castle FC managed three goals of their own but with no official scorers listed, the specifics of their fightback are unclear. Ultimately though, Rovers’ attacking duo made the difference in a pulsating contest.
Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves 3-2 Sir Tom Finney
This one was a rollercoaster, with Southport & Ainsdale Reserves eventually edging it. Jack Osborne gave the hosts a 16th-minute lead, but Sir Tom Finney hit back after the break through Conor Garrett before Charlie Wallace put them 1-2 up on 65 minutes.
But the hosts weren’t finished. Conor Bligh turned hero, equalising on 74 minutes before striking again in the 82nd to seal a dramatic 3-2 win. It was a breathless game that could have gone either way.
Westgate Hawks 1-2 Tarleton Corinthians A
Tarleton Corinthians A claimed a valuable away win courtesy of a first-half brace from Arran Blane. He struck in the 15th and 30th minutes to put his side in control early on.
Westgate Hawks pulled one back through Thomas Bennett, but it wasn’t enough to mount a full comeback. Tarleton held their ground to take home the points.
DIVISION TWO
AFC Ainsdale Reserves 4-3 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs A
AFC Ainsdale Reserves came out on top in a thrilling seven-goal encounter. Seb Mikolajewski netted early on in the 9th minute before Owen Highton doubled the lead on 38 minutes. Substitute Jack Kennedy Howlett added another on 70 minutes, with Mikolajewski completing his brace five minutes later.
The visitors made a real fight of it with goals from Corey Forshaw, Oliver Parkinson, and an unlisted scorer. Despite their resilience, the hosts’ extra firepower proved decisive in an entertaining contest.
Hoole United Reserves 1-3 Broughton Amateurs AFC Reserves
Luke Cheshire grabbed Hoole United Reserves’ only goal, but it wasn’t enough to stop Broughton Amateurs Reserves taking the spoils.
The visitors looked sharp in attack, with Kallum Littlechild, Babiker Ali, and Matthew Stoney all finding the net to ensure a comfortable 1-3 victory.
Marsh United A 2-0 Ribchester Rovers
Peter Myerscough was the hero for Marsh United A, scoring twice on 27 and 58 minutes to guide his side to a solid 2-0 home win. Ribchester struggled to find a way back into the game, leaving Marsh to celebrate a deserved three points.
Shevington Reserves 2-5 Lostock St Gerards Blue
Lostock St Gerards Blue proved too strong for Shevington Reserves, running out 2-5 winners. Paul Farrow struck twice, with Kamsi Nwagbologu, Daniel Rowland, and Harry Sawyer all getting in on the act for the visitors.
Elliot Dainty pulled one back for Shevington in the 55th minute, before substitute Benjamin Heppenstall added a second late on in the 77th. Despite their efforts, the hosts were second best on the day against a clinical Lostock side.