On a weekend when half the region’s pitches looked better suited for carp fishing than football, the fixture list was shredded by waterlogged chaos — but the brave few games that did survive delivered drama worthy of a full programme. While postponements piled up faster than puddles in the goalmouth, the matches that went ahead gave us goals, comebacks, mud-splattered mayhem, and even a seven-goal blockbuster to steal the headlines. Here’s your rundown of the action from a very soggy Saturday.
PREMIERSHIP
Burscough Dynamo 4–3 Highgrove
In a weekend where most pitches resembled garden ponds, Burscough Dynamo decided to host a goal-fest instead. Ryan Dobney and Bradley Fanning set the tone before super-sub Luke Wilson came on like a man who’d realised he’d left the oven on — bagging two rapid-fire strikes. Highgrove’s diamond duo, Bradley and Lucas, shined brightly, with Luke Bradley adding a third, but Dynamo clung on to take all three points in a thriller that probably needed snorkels more than shin pads.
DIVISION ONE
Sir Tom Finney 5–2 Astley FC Reserves
While the rest of Division One played “find the pitch under the puddles”, Sir Tom Finney FC embraced the chaos with a performance dripping in confidence. Esan Goulbourne opened early before Charlie Wallace decided a hat-trick sounded like fun — scoring at 70, 75 and 80 minutes like he had somewhere he needed to be. Bradley McCullough wrapped things up with an 85th-minute cherry on top. Astley grabbed two consolation goals through Speakman and Brindle, but the hosts were never in danger of letting this one wash away.
DIVISION TWO
Bay Rangers FC 1–6 Lostock St Gerards Blue
Bay Rangers had Aron Jones to thank for their lone bright spark on a very long afternoon, but the rest of the match belonged completely to Lostock St Gerards Blue. Paul Farrow was in full “hat-trick hero” mode, slotting away three with the confidence of a man playing on dry ground. Frederick Haughton and Daniel Rowland added their own classy finishes, before Oliver Snape wrapped things up to make it six. A stormy day, a stormy scoreline — Lostock brought thunder, lightning and everything in between.
Chipping FC A 0–3 Appley Bridge Development
Appley Bridge Development arrived with purpose and took full advantage of a rare playable pitch. Charlie Conlon struck early, Daniel Morris doubled the lead before the break, and George Francis came off the bench to seal it late on. Chipping, who also didn’t give us a teamsheet, might be grateful — as anonymity might just be their best defending of the day.
Southport Trinity 1–1 Ribchester Rovers
Southport Trinity and Ribchester put on an old-fashioned mud-bath battle that ended honours even. Ellis Kenny struck after just four minutes, splashing Ribchester ahead, but Jamie Molyneux replied to drag Trinity level. A scrappy game, a scrappy pitch, and a scrappy point apiece — perfect Division Two theatre.
LANCASHIRE FA AMATEUR CUP
Astley FC 0–7 Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves
Astley FC bowed out of the cup with the kind of scoreline that makes you stare quietly into the middle distance. Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves didn’t just turn up — they took over, hitting seven and sending Astley home early in extremely decisive fashion.
Trawden Celtic Juniors 3–1 Walmer Bridge
Walmer Bridge got off to a flyer with Samuel Swarbrick putting them ahead on 15 minutes, but the early joy evaporated quicker than the puddles on a warm day. Trawden Celtic hit back before half-time, equalising at 27 minutes and then flipping the script completely with goals in the 39th and 42nd minutes. Three goals in 15 minutes — the comeback equivalent of slamming the door and locking it behind you.
The second half offered drama but no change to the scoreline, with Walmer Bridge pushing desperately to stay alive in the cup. Trawden Celtic held firm, defended like a team who definitely didn’t want extra midweek fixtures, and secured their passage through. Walmer Bridge bow out, wondering how a perfect start turned into a downhill slide.
Moston Brook Reserves 5–1 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves
Moston Brook Reserves ran riot, hitting five and leaving S&A Amateurs Reserves with a long bus ride home. Charles Lunt grabbed the consolation goal on 29 minutes, but it was never enough to stem the tide. Another of our teams exits the cup, leaving just one local hopeful standing as the rescheduled fixtures loom next week.