It was a weekend of goals, glory, and grit across the Mid Lancs League as league campaigns near their dramatic conclusions and cup dreams stay alive. From Sonny Pilgrim’s sensational hat-trick for Shevington Reserves to New Longton Rovers putting on a six-goal masterclass in the Frank Curry Memorial Cup, there was no shortage of talking points. With title races heating up and silverware won for some and others within touching distance, Saturday’s fixtures delivered the kind of drama that makes grassroots football unmissable.
Premiership
Tarleton Corinthians 1-1 Broughton Amateurs
A tense mid-table battle lived up to its billing as Tarleton and Broughton shared the spoils. Jonjo Richardson found the net for the hosts, while Oliver Jones replied for Broughton, ensuring honours even. A fair result in a game where both teams had flashes of quality but lacked the killer instinct to take all three points.
Division One
Astley FC 1-6 Appley Bridge
What was billed as a top-of-the-table clash turned into a demolition job by newly-crowned champions Appley Bridge. Daniel Atkins opened the floodgates just four minutes in before Liam Hilton and Atkins again gave the visitors a commanding 3-0 lead by half-time.
The second half was no better for Astley, as substitute Clayton Beattie added a fourth on 59 minutes, followed swiftly by Charlie Conlon’s fifth. Charles Young gave the home fans something to cheer with a goal on 75 minutes, but James Lappin restored the five-goal margin late on to cap off a ruthless display by the title winners.
Sir Tom Finney 3-2 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves
Sir Tom Finney showed tremendous character to come from behind. Tomas Wright had the visitors in dreamland with a quickfire brace in the 16th and 18th minutes, but a key goal from Joshua Omotoyinbo just before the break changed the tone.
After the restart, Vinnie Bradshaw levelled on 55 minutes before Michael Rogers completed the turnaround with a composed finish in the 74th.
Division Two
Wigan Rovers 4-0 Chipping FC A
Wigan Rovers turned on the style in a battle for fourth. Tom Penny started the scoring on 20 minutes before Graham Croft bagged a brace before half-time, showing composure and power in equal measure.
Chipping made changes early in the second half, but it was substitute Stuart Johnson who added the fourth for Wigan on 75 minutes. A commanding display that sends a clear message to their rivals.
Division Three
Bickerstaffe Reserves 0-6 Walmer Bridge Reserves
A dominant display from Walmer Bridge Reserves who put six past a struggling Bickerstaffe side. With scorers including Conor Ashe, George Caney, Keyton Henry, Adam Rae, and impactful substitutes Aaron Cartwright and Hamzah Lulat, it was a statement performance as they aim to finish their season in style.
Shevington Reserves 4-2 Broughton Amateurs AFC Reserves
Shevington’s Sonny Pilgrim was the star of the show with a sensational hat-trick, scoring in the 1st, 49th and 81st minutes, while Matthew Jones added another in the 23rd to put the hosts firmly in control.
Broughton Reserves did find the net twice through Mohammed Abdalla Hashim and Collins Iheuko, but the day belonged to Pilgrim and a Shevington side that looked sharp and hungry from the off.
Lancastrian Brigade Cup
Hoole United 0-1 Standish St Wilfrids Reserves
In a game where defences largely held firm, it was Alexander Favell’s 75th-minute strike that proved decisive. Standish St Wilfrids Reserves march on to the final, while Hoole are left to rue missed opportunities. This pundit is happy to admit they got that prediction wrong!
Wyre Villa Reserves 0-2 Marsh United Reserves
Marsh United Reserves continued their unbeaten streak with a clinical performance. Jack Benson was on fire with goals in the 5th and 32nd minutes, giving his side a comfortable passage through.
Frank Curry Memorial Cup
New Longton Rovers 6-0 Astley FC Reserves
It was a rout from New Longton, who tore through Astley Reserves with precision and power. Callum Havard struck first in the 18th minute and later again in the 50th, sandwiching goals from Jonathan Hart, Dean Sumner, and Alexander Jackson before the break.
Jackson added his second just past the hour mark to complete a 6-0 mauling. A dominant cup performance that shows New Longton Rovers mean business.