LANCASTER HONDA NORTH LANCASHIRE AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE (MEMBERS OF THE LANCASHIRE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION)

REPORT SATURDAY MAY 8^th 2010.

In the Premier Division Marsh United are Champions while the battle for runners-up continues with three teams still in with real a chance. Highgrove, Cartmel and Carnforth Rangers, Tic Dynamos have only an outside chance. Cartmel entertained Highgrove in a game both sides needed to win. Cartmel started off much brighter than their opponents and took an early lead when Joel Drinkall scored. Highgrove battled back and got the equalizer late in the first half. Both sides played poorly with so much at stake and it turned out to be a typical end of season game where neither side gave it everything, a draw was always the likely outcome after a tedious first half, the second half got even worse and a draw was the fairest result.

Tic Dynamos slim chance of grabbing second place faded further when they travelled to play Ingleton in a re-arranged game. Dynamos played quite well in the first half and deservedly took the lead with a rare Brian Lennon goal. The second half was entirely different when Ingleton took control and soon went into the lead, finally running out winners by 3-1 with goals scored by Phil Eccleston, Nathan Jackson and substitute Alex Hartley.

Carnforth Rangers narrow 3-2 win over Storeys in another re-arranged game puts them in with a chance of taking second place. A much weakened Storeys side gave Carnforth a good game before losing to goals scored by Byron Nixon, Steve Oliver and Piotr Popielarski. In reply Storeys goals were scored by Mark Chisholm and Stuart Thwaite. Carnforth’s remaining games are against Tic Dynamos, Highgrove and Cartmel and must win all three to clinch second place.

Kirkby Lonsdale and Halton Rangers are relegated to Division One.   

In Division One Swarthmoor Social Club with just one game to play against Ingleton Reserves are Champions and promoted back to the Premier Division after just one season in Division One. They clinched the Championship when they beat Storeys Reserves by 3-0 in midweek.

Freehold Fc has just one game to play and that is against Caton United who beat them in the recent Cup Final. A win for Freehold Fc would mean that Storeys would have to win both its remaining games against Caton and Ingleton Reserves to overhaul them. Ingleton Reserves on the other hand can still end up as runners-up if they win all its remaining games against, Caton, Swarthmoor, Storeys Reserves and Marsh United Reserves a tall order by a team that is playing really well, after winning the Craven and District Junior Cup against a good Rimmington Reserves side by 3-2 after trailing 2-0 at the break.

Highgrove Reserves and Overton/Middleton are relegated to Division Two after a string of poor results.

In Division Two Trimpell who had just missed out on promotion over the last few years has at last made it to Division One and are going up as Champions after winning its last game of the season against a strong Grange side that equaled Trimpell in the first half. Arnside who will accompany Trimpell into Division One lost the chance to be Champions when they were held to a 1-1 draw with Westgate Wanderers. The goal difference between Arnside and Trimpell was just three goals in Trimpell favour.

Caton United Reserves after its mauling by Halton Rangers Reserves in midweek are relegated along with Halton into Division Three. Caton held the Halton side for the first half an hour and could have been ahead by at least 2 golas, but poor finishing let them down. Once Halton had scored there was only going to be one winner. Ian Black continued his hot scoring streak with another classic finish, this time from 8 yards, when his reactions were much quicker than the defenders.

In Division Three Galgate Reserves are Champions, Heysham are runners-up courtesy of a one goal better goal difference than Morecambe Gold who must be kicking themselves for losing its last match against Villa Royale.

With Grange Reserves withdrawing as the season got underway only one team will be relegated. Bolton Le Sands Reserves who never won a match all season will drop into Division Four.

In Division Four Pilling Fc in its first season back in the League clinched the Championship despite losing its last game of the season to Carnforth Rangers ‘A’ with an own goal scored by Kevin Fossett, Carnforth end the season as runners-up, also in its first season in the league.

Heysham Reserves and Gregson Reserves who finished in the bottom two will have to apply for re-election to the league.

Lancaster Rovers, Moor Lane Fc and Pilling Reserves have applied to join the league for next season.

If anyone out there would like to be involved in the running of the league, would they contact Lawrie on 01524-770095 for details.