Weekly Round Up - 28th October 2023

This week's highlight saw two of the teams from our League drawn against each other. Premier Division and past winners of the Amateur Cup Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs against Second Division New Longton Rovers Reserves.

Things didn’t get off to a great start for New Longton with a few late withdrawals plus a stand in goalkeeper. The manager was also in the starting line up due to the late arrival of one of their players.

The first half saw Southport go 2-0 up, although they did hit the post 3 times. There was a gutsy display from New Longton who competed very well and didn’t make things easy for the Premier Division side.

The second half proved to be a different story. Southport had a full bench of substitutes against New Longton with just 11 players. The last 15 minutes saw a glut of goals as New Longton tired and Southport ran out winners by 9-0.

Full credit to New Longton for keeping going to the end. The game was played in good spirit with no bookings and both teams earned themselves a drink and chip butties in the bar afterwards.

Premiership

The Premier Division fixtures over the weekend provided football fans with some remarkable highlights and a few surprises. Let's dive into the key moments from these exciting matches.

Highgrove 1-4 Shevington FC
In a match that marked a significant milestone for Shevington FC, they clinched their first win of the season with an emphatic 4-1 victory against Highgrove. The Highgrove scorer managed to break through Shevington's defense, but it was Shevington who stole the spotlight. Jack Hamilton was the hero of the day with a remarkable hat-trick, and Dave Johnson added to the tally, ensuring a memorable victory for Shevington. This win undoubtedly boosts Shevington's confidence, while Highgrove continues to search for their first victory of the season.

Preston Wanderers 3-3 Bickerstaffe
A thrilling encounter unfolded between Preston Wanderers and Bickerstaffe, resulting in a hard-fought 3-3 draw. Preston's Robbie Morris was instrumental with a brace, while Charlie Swindlehurst contributed another goal. Bickerstaffe, currently occupying the second position in the division, managed to secure a point with goals from Paul Duane and Daniel Hutton. This result underscores the competitiveness of the Premier Division, with Preston Wanderers comfortably situated in mid-table and Bickerstaffe hot on the heels of the league leaders.

Tarleton Corinthians 1-4 Standish St Wilfrid’s
Standish St Wilfrid's showcased their strength with a dominant 4-1 victory over Tarleton Corinthians. Tarleton's solitary goal came from Thomas Wakefield, but Standish proved to be a formidable opponent. Matthew Crossey, Johan Du Toit, Samir Sobeih, and a goal from substitute Matthew Clarke secured the win for Standish. This victory further solidified Standish's position as the current leaders of the Premier Division, while Tarleton Corinthians experienced their first loss of the season.

The Premier Division fixtures continue to captivate fans with their drama and unpredictability. With Shevington FC breaking their season's winless streak and other teams jostling for supremacy, the competition promises to be fiercely contested throughout the season. Football enthusiasts can look forward to more thrilling encounters in the weeks to come.

Division One

The Division One football fixtures provided a mix of postponed matches, goal-fests, and intriguing outcomes. Let's delve into the highlights of these encounters.

Appley Bridge v Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves
Regrettably, the clash between Appley Bridge and Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves had to be postponed, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the rescheduled match to witness their showdown.

Burscough Dynamo 3-4 Sir Tom Finney
In a high-scoring contest, Burscough Dynamo and Sir Tom Finney provided fans with a thrilling 4-3 victory for Sir Tom Finney. Lewis Corke's double and a goal by Chris Orritt showcased Burscough Dynamo's efforts, but it wasn't enough to secure the win. On the other side, Sir Tom Finney's dynamic performance, highlighted by goals from Adrian Barbu (x2), Conor Garrett, and Jonathan Ssekiziyivu, led them to victory. This result allowed Sir Tom Finney to move up one place in the division table, bypassing Burscough Dynamo.

Fleetwood Hesketh 7-2 Astley FC
Fleetwood Hesketh celebrated their first win of the season in spectacular fashion with a convincing 7-2 victory over Astley FC. Hal McHugh netted a brace, while Frankie Pearson stole the show with a remarkable hat-trick. Ritchie Robinson also got on the score sheet. Despite the efforts of Luke Robinson, who managed to score twice for Astley, Fleetwood Hesketh's dominance was evident.

Hoole United 2-0 Norcross FC
Hoole United caused a stir by securing a 2-0 victory against the current Division One leaders, Norcross FC. Adam Thomas was the star of the match, scoring both goals for Hoole. This result adds a new dimension to the competition, with Norcross FC holding onto their top spot, but with challengers like Hoole United proving their mettle.

Standish St Wilfrid’s Reserves 0-0 Broughton Amateurs AFC
Standish St Wilfrid’s Reserves and Broughton Amateurs AFC played out a goalless draw, with neither team able to break the deadlock. This result meant that Broughton Amateurs stayed in their second-place position, while Standish remained in third. The closely contested match highlights the competitiveness of Division One, with both teams maintaining their strong positions.

The Division One fixtures continue to intrigue and excite, with each match offering its own unique story. From postponed games to standout victories and tightly contested draws, the division showcases the passion and determination of these teams as they aim to climb the table and secure their place in the league. Football fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters as the season progresses.

Division Two

The Division Two fixtures brought forth a mix of victories, closely contested matches, and a few postponements. Let's delve into the key moments of these encounters.

AFC Ainsdale 4-0 Middleton & Overton Sports FC
AFC Ainsdale delivered an impressive 4-0 victory over Middleton & Overton Sports FC. While the goal scorers were not documented, the result marked AFC Ainsdale's fifth consecutive win, demonstrating their form and consistency. This impressive run allowed them to jump two places in the division table, overtaking New Longton Rovers Reserves and Middleton & Overton.

Bickerstaffe Reserves v Slyne with Hest Reserves
Unfortunately, the clash between Bickerstaffe Reserves and Slyne with Hest Reserves had to be postponed, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the rescheduled fixture.

Broughton Amateurs AFC Reserves 1-2 Gables FC
Gables FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Broughton Amateurs AFC Reserves. Levi Barnes scored the lone goal for Broughton, while Gables saw goals from Richard Coley and Jordan Griffiths. Broughton has faced a challenging stretch recently, earning only one point in their last five matches. Meanwhile, Gables FC currently holds the second spot in the division, showcasing their consistency and determination.

Shevington FC Reserves 3-2 Ribchester Rovers Reserves
Shevington FC Reserves claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ribchester Rovers Reserves. Goals from Shaun Whittle at the 10th and 20th minutes and Joseph Winstanley in the 35th minute secured the win for Shevington. Ribchester Rovers managed to find the back of the net through Trevor Smith and George Cobden, but it wasn't enough to alter the outcome.

Wyre Villa Reserves 1-2 Astley FC Reserves
Wyre Villa Reserves and Astley FC Reserves engaged in a closely contested match, with Astley securing a 2-1 victory. Wyre Villa's solitary goal was scored by substitute Tom Whiteside. Astley's goals came from Tom Crook and Adam Henshall. Astley FC Reserves' impressive unbeaten streak of seven games now highlights their form and resilience in Division Two.

These Division Two fixtures showcased the depth and excitement of the league, with teams jockeying for positions and striving to make their mark. Football enthusiasts can anticipate more captivating matches as the season unfolds, promising further twists and turns in the division table.

Lancashire FA Amateur Cup

Newburgh Harrock 2-3 Bury G.S.O.B
In a closely contested match, Bury G.S.O.B emerged victorious against Newburgh Harrock United with a final score of 3-2. The match must have been a thrilling battle on the field, with both teams putting up a strong fight. Bury G.S.O.B's ability to secure the win suggests that they displayed composure and determination in the crucial moments of the game. It's a result that's sure to be celebrated by their fans, while Newburgh Harrock United may reflect on the match as a valuable learning experience.

Ribchester Rovers 0-8 Swarthmoor Social
In a one-sided contest, Swarthmoor Social dominated Ribchester Rovers with an impressive 8-0 victory. The first half set the tone for Swarthmoor's dominance as they secured a comfortable 4-0 lead by halftime. The second half offered no respite for Ribchester as Swarthmoor continued their scoring spree, ultimately securing a comprehensive win and progressing through to Round 3.

Walmer Bridge 1-5 Langho
Langho emerged victorious in a match against Walmer Bridge, with a final score of 5-1. While Walmer Bridge managed to break through Langho's defense and scored a goal in the 75th minute, it was Langho who dominated for the most part of the game. Their efficient attacking and strong defense allowed them to secure four goals before Walmer Bridge managed to respond. Langho's well-executed strategy and goal-scoring abilities proved to be the deciding factors in this Amateur Cup encounter.

Northern Cup

Cube FC 7-4 Lostock Gralem Reserves
The clash between Cube FC and Lostock Gralem Reserves in the Northern Cup was a breathtaking spectacle that will be etched into the annals of football history. The game got off to an explosive start, with Lostock Gralem Reserves taking the lead in just the sixth minute. However, Cube FC responded immediately, as Malakai Mckenzie found the back of the net in the seventh, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

Khaled Sheikh added another goal for Cube FC in the fourteenth minute, and Mckenzie scored his second in the twenty-second. Lostock managed to pull one back just before halftime, with the score at 3-2 in Cube FC's favor at the break.

The second half was equally exhilarating, with Lostock equalizing at 3-3 in the fifty-second minute. They went on to take the lead at 4-3 in the sixty-third minute, but Cube FC wasn't to be outdone. Malakai Mckenzie secured his hat-trick in the seventy-second minute, bringing the score to 4-4. The climax of the match was simply astonishing, with Riaz Fatakia scoring a crucial goal in the ninety-fourth minute to give Cube FC the lead. In an astonishing turn of events, Malakai Mckenzie netted twice more in the final moments of injury time, sealing a remarkable 7-4 victory for Cube FC.