Mother Nature had her say on Saturday’s action, dampening the plans for a full fixture list with her signature drizzle and frosty touch. Three matches were forced to a halt before a ball could be kicked, leaving pitches unplayable and fans disappointed. However, the remaining games delivered plenty of thrills, spills, and goals to keep the weekend alive, proving that not even a gloomy sky can dull the passion of grassroots football!
Premiership
Bickerstaffe 3-2 Eccleston & Heskin
Drama unfolded at Bickerstaffe where the home side edged out Eccleston & Heskin in a five-goal thriller! The visitors got on the board with a composed strike from Luke Drummond in the 40th minute and a sweet finish by substitute Henry Stock at 65. But alas, the away efforts weren’t enough as Bickerstaffe’s mystery scorers delivered the goods to secure all three points. A teetering match, wrapped in suspense!
Shevington 1-2 Tarleton Corinthians
Shevington and Tarleton Corinthians served up a match filled with strategy, drama, and a sprinkle of late magic. The visitors struck first, with George David Carrington delivering a piece of artistry in the 25th minute, leaving Shevington’s defence scratching their heads. The first half was a tight affair, with Tarleton’s slim lead holding firm thanks to disciplined defending and a touch of luck.
The second half saw Shevington roar back to life, and their persistence paid off when Louie Fitzpatrick powered home the equalizer in the 70th minute, igniting hopes of a comeback. But just as the pendulum seemed to swing Shevington’s way, Lewis Bannister had other ideas. Five minutes later, he snatched the winner with a cool finish, ensuring Tarleton walked away with all three points. It was a chess match on the pitch, and Tarleton proved they had the final move!
Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs 4-1 Preston Wanderers
A swashbuckling performance from Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs left Preston Wanderers in the dust. With four different home scorers—Oliver Riley, Jonathan Scholes, Connor Tierney, and Joseph Ramsay—the crowd was treated to a goal fest! Preston Wanderers, fielding a silent teamsheet, managed one consolation, but the Amateurs were too hot to handle.
Division One
Sir Tom Finney 1-5 Hoole United
Hoole United put on a clinic at Sir Tom Finney, racking up four first-half goals through Alfie Parker (24, 36), Ada Thomas (26), and Sam Craven (42). Craven bagged his second just after the break to crush any comeback dreams. A spirited effort by the hosts earned them a late goal, but it was a Hoole schooling on the day!
Standish St Wilfrids 1-3 Appley Bridge
Standish St Wilfrids and Appley Bridge locked horns in a local derby that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The home side drew first blood in the 24th minute, with Rob Thomas capping off some sustained pressure with a fine strike that had the crowd roaring. Standish dominated much of the first half, keeping the Bridge on the back foot, but the visitors held firm to keep the deficit to just one at the break.
The second half was a different story altogether. A tactical masterstroke from the Appley Bridge management saw their midfield revamped, and the impact was immediate. Daniel Atkins fired in the equalizer in the 50th minute, setting the tone for a stunning turnaround. Five minutes later, Clayton Beattie sent the away fans into delirium with a cool finish to make it 2-1. Standish battled hard to regain control, but the Bridge midfield stood tall, and with ten minutes to go, Atkins returned to deliver the dagger—a clinical low drive past the keeper to seal a 3-1 victory. The referee, Tony Alty, deserves a standing ovation for his superb officiating, allowing both teams to showcase their talent in a match as fiery as it was fair. This was derby football at its finest!
Division Two
Fleetwood Hesketh 1-1 New Longton Rovers
A tactical battle played out at Fleetwood Hesketh, with Frankie Pearson opening the scoring for the hosts. New Longton Rovers clawed back courtesy of George Kelly’s 52nd-minute strike. A tense end-to-end game, but both sides shared the spoils.
Marsh United 9-1 Westgate Hawks
Marsh United treated their fans to an absolute goal bonanza, steamrolling Westgate Hawks in a 9-1 spectacle. The tone was set early, with Daniel Smith opening the floodgates in the 10th minute. Kian Wilson Stewart doubled the lead in the 22nd, and Smith struck again to complete his brace before Aaron Hoyle added a classy fourth just before halftime. By the break, it was already looking grim for the Hawks, who were left chasing shadows.
The second half began with a flicker of hope for Westgate as Edward Harrison pulled one back in the 48th minute. But that was the only consolation they’d find, as Marsh United shifted back into overdrive. Smith completed his hat-trick moments later, and substitute Theo Callender got in on the act at 65 minutes. Goals from Fynlay Robert Wren and Jamie Taylor (twice) rounded out the scoring as Marsh dazzled with flair, precision, and a ruthless streak. A performance for the history books—Hawks left flattened, Marsh flying high!
Division Three
Broughton Amateurs AFC Reserves 1-0 Bay Rangers
It was a nail-biter at Broughton as the Amateurs’ Reserves eked out a dramatic 1-0 victory over Bay Rangers in a game where chances were rarer than sunny Saturdays in November. Both teams were locked in a midfield battle for much of the match, with defences holding firm. Broughton came close to breaking the deadlock earlier, rattling the bar to send a gasp through the crowd, but it wasn’t until late on that the breakthrough arrived.
As the minutes ticked away and the tension soared, Charlie Whitworth became the hero of the day. Latching onto a lightning-fast counterattack in the 85th minute, he slotted home a clinical finish to send the home fans into a frenzy. The visitors pushed hard to find a response, but the Amateurs’ defence stood resolute to secure the points in a classic smash-and-grab. Football, sometimes, is all about that one golden moment!
Wyre Villa Reserves 2-1 Bickerstaffe Reserves
In a clash of the reserves, Wyre Villa eked out a narrow win over Bickerstaffe. Goals from both sides remain shrouded in mystery due to missing teamsheets, but the home side’s edge on the day carried them to a valuable three points. Football, cloaked in intrigue!