A superb result for Marsh United maintains their 100% record in the Premier Division as important wins for New Longton Rovers Reserves and AFC Ainsdale meant both clubs sit on nine points from their opening three games in the First Division. 76 goals across 13 games highlights attacking football being central to every team’s philosophy with defences struggling as just two clean sheets were recorded in the Mid Lancashire Football League.
Premiership
Astley FC 1-10 Marsh United
It cannot be denied that Marsh United have strengthened in the offseason. Back in March, this fixture resulted in a 1-0 triumph for the visitors. The single goal came from Josh Staniforth, who contributed five for Marsh this past weekend. Both Aaron Hoyle and James Mcvittie added a brace, with a single from Jamie Taylor rounding out the scoring for United. Astley’s goalscorer was Arthur Dos Santos Rodrigues Da Anunciacao in the second half. Marsh have six points from their opening two games as their title defence looks strong already.
Hoole United 3-1 Highgrove
Hoole are up to second on the ladder, they too have six points to their name after the opening two Saturday’s. Alfe Parker, Ben Rooke and Sam Craven found the back of the net for United, substitute Adrian Lacob scored for Highgrove. It won’t get any easier for Highgrove, they travel to Marsh Playing Fields in midweek.
Walmer Bridge 1-1 Eccleston & Heskin
Unbeaten with a draw and win so far in 2026-27 are Eccleston & Heskin. They travelled to Walmer Bridge and took a point from last season’s Guildhall Cup finalists. Walmer are yet to hit their stride with two draws to open the season, Samuel Ace for Bridge and Eccleston’s Hayden Mills scored the two goals. Walmer Bridge have two home games to come in succession, starting with Tarleton Corinthians next weekend followed by Broughton Amateurs.
Broughton Amateurs 2-4 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs
Speaking of Broughton, they suffered a home defeat to Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs. The away side lost narrowly to Eccleston & Heskin on the opening day but managed to take all three points at the second time of asking. Charlie Lunt scored two, Oliver Morton and Conor Bligh added one each for the visitors. Broughton had Oliver Jones to thank for his brace. Goalscoring is clearly not the problem for Southport & Ainsdale, that’s now seven in their first two fixtures but they have conceded six.
Shevington 0-4 Tarleton Corinthians
Four goals and four different goalscorers for Tarleton as they visited Vicarage Lane. Jacob Munday got the scoring underway as early as the 20th minute, followed by Cale Heaton and Joshua Jackson prior to half time. Lewis Bannister added the fourth on the hour mark.
Division One
Wigan Rovers 3-4 New Longton Rovers Reserves
New Longton’s second team lead the pack in the First Division with nine points from their opening three matches. Their latest win came at St James Park with Joshua Taylor and Leon Merella establishing a two-goal cushion for the away side in the opening 20 minutes. Owen Jackson got Wigan Rovers underway on 50 minutes before Jamie Morris re-established New Longton’s two-goal lead shortly after. Daniel Bibby again gave Wigan purpose before Joshua Taylor struck with his second. Lewis Blunt got a late one to bring the score to 4-3 in favour of the away side.
New Longton Rovers 1-2 AFC Ainsdale
In three games so far, Ainsdale have won by scorelines of 2-1, 3-2 and now 2-1 again. They haven’t struck big against anybody but they have found a way to narrowly emerge with all three points, highlighting a defensive resilience. Jonathan Hart scored early for New Longton and the hosts held the advantage until the 78th minute, when Charlie Gray squared the ledger. As the seconds ticked down in added time at the end of the second half, Jordan Tinsley got a yard on his defender and found the back of the net at the near post. Mid Lancashire Football League’s own Donna Artis Photography was on hand to capture images and highlights for YouTube:
Wyre Villa 2-1 Westgate Wanderers Hawks
Quietly earning six points from two games are Wyre Villa, who had Nico Moreton on the scoresheet once more. This week he was joined by Rory Walmsley as the hosts emerged narrow victors at Hallgate Park. Connor Mason was the man responsible for Westgate Wanderers’ goal.
Sir Tom Finney 2-2 Tarleton Corinthians ‘A’
A score draw for the two sides at the University of Lancashire Sports Arena saw the spoils shared. Adrian Barbu and Adam Robinson with first half strikes for Sir Tom Finney helped the home team to earn their first point of the new season. A similar story for Tarleton Corinthians second side, they’ve only played two but did lose previously against Westgate Wanderers Hawks.
Division Two
Preston City 9-0 Broughton Amateurs Reserves
The early pace-setters in the Second Division are Preston City, who sit top with six points from two games and a goal difference of plus twelve. They were impressive in earning victory at home to Broughton Amateurs Reserves.
Lancaster Red Rose 3-1 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves
Keeping pace at the summit with Preston City are Lancaster Red Rose, who picked up their second win of the season at home against Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves. Luke Goulding-Mchugh, Connor Wallis and Reece Finnigan all struck in the first half for the hosts at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre. Patrick Devlin scored for the visitors.
Hindley Green 5-4 Freckleton FC Reserves
It was a first win of the season in their first game of the season for Hindley Green despite a titanic tussle between themselves and Freckleton FC Reserves. Callum Howard scored four for Hindley Green, while the goals were shared for Freckleton between Thomas O’Neil, Daniel Stenton, Tommy Trudgeon and Samuel Hinds.
Eccleston & Heskin Reserves 4-6 Ribchester Rovers
Last on our report but certainly not least, in fact one of the most exciting games of the day as ten goals were scored at Eccleston Village Recreation Ground. By 20 minutes on the watch, Stirling Winder had scored a hat-trick to give the away side a strong lead but by the break, it was all square as two from Andrew Smith and another from Jordan McCollough for Eccleston brought things level. In the second half Ben Bristo put Ribchester back ahead, only for Jacob Chew to equalise. A brace by Ribchester substitute Connor Roberts settled the game in favour of the away side.