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

REPORT SATURDAY MARCH 13^th 2010

In the Black Dragon Senior Challenge Cup 3^rd Round Premier Division side Carnforth Rangers moved into the quarter final when they demolished Division One side Boys Club by 7-0. Carnforth showed no mercy when they scored almost at will, Gavin Darby, Liam Steele, Lee Braid and a hat trick for Steve Oliver. Carnforth will now visit Bowerham for a place in the semi-final.

The Kirkby Lonsdale v Ingleton game started off with the referee being the busiest player on the field when he sent off three players in the opening 15 minutes, two from Kirkby and the other from Ingleton. Once the game settled down some good football was played, Kirkby had some excellent chances in the first half but just could not convert any. Goals scored for Ingleton by Darren Blacow and Tom Earnshaw was enough to send Ingleton into the quarter final where they will travel to Arnside this week for a place in the semi-final.

The shock of the competition so far was the defeat of highflying Division One side Freehold by Division Three side Morecambe Gold.  Freehold went into the game with a much weakened side missing as many as 10 first team regulars due to various reasons, but still confident of beating Morecambe Gold a team two divisions below them and earning a plum quarter final home tie against one of the favourites Marsh United. However it did not work out that way as Freehold struggled to make any real breaks against a good well organised defence. The veterans of the Gold team missed more clear cut chances and the game after extra time had to be settled on penalties. The more experienced and calmer Morecambe Gold winning by 4-2, so they now meet Marsh United.

In the Squires Sports Bar/Fisher/Howson Remembrance Cup 2^nd Round the more experienced Division Three side Boys Club Reserves was put under a lot of pressure by Division Four side Millhead Reserves. The game was end to end for long periods, with Boys Club looking dangerous every time they crossed the halfway line. They were much the better team, but Millhead hung in brilliantly and gave a good performance. Adam Richardson and Chris Cottam scored for Millhead to keep them in the game. Boys Club had goals scored by, Andy Fagan, Matthew McGowan and John Norman.  Boys Club will be away to Division One side Cartmel Reserves this Saturday.

In the Premier Division lowly Bentham desperate for points scored first when they entertained Cartmel with Thomas Burns scoring the goal. The first half belonged to Bentham as they threatened to over run its visitors. Bentham paid for missing a host of first half chances when Matthew Burrows equalised for Cartmel to leave the half time score level at 1-1. Bentham started the second half much better than Cartmel and again created many chances without being able to put the ball into the net, until after a good spell of domination Burns scored his second to put Bentham into the lead again. Bentham took control of the game and dealt with Cartmel’s attacks with some ease. But Cartmel never give up and with just six minutes remaining Graham Rhodes scored with a header from a throw in as the Bentham defence failed to deal with it level the game at 2-2. Bentham was then under pressure as Cartmel looked for a third goal to win the game and, with just two minutes remaining the game was won for Cartmel when Matthew Dodwell scored a good goal. This was a defeat that Bentham did not deserve as they had most of the chances, but it still leaves them third from bottom, two points away from a relegation place, but having played two games more than Kirkby Lonsdale. Bentham still has fellow relegation candidates Kirkby Lonsdale and Bowerham to play.

Bowerham another team in danger of relegation played its hearts out when they entertained the leaders and favourites for the title Marsh United.  Bowerham played as well as it was allowed to by a good Marsh side. The opening goal was scored in the fifteenth minute after Marsh was awarded a free kick, Guy Green scored direct from the kick.  The game from then on was hard fought as Bowerham tried to get back on level terms, but the Marsh defence was solid. The game was end to end with both sides giving everything. The result was in doubt until the 75^th minute when leading scorer Lee Sparks added to his impressive tally.  Marsh increased its lead at the top to six points following this win.

Halton Rangers with just five games remaining looked doomed to relegation after losing again this time to third placed Morecambe Royals.  Halton gave everything but was not quite good enough to stop the Royals from winning by 4-2 after Carl Manning, Sean Hardwick and a brace from Will Rowell had scored. Halton’s replies were from Adam Lund and Jamie Garside.  Following this defeat Halton are now seven points from safety.

The match of the day was between Highgrove and Storeys which was played at a high tempo, with some good football played. Both defences were outstanding in keeping each others attackers at bay. The game looked all the way to be a goal less draw until Dan Broadley snapped up the one good chance he had. Storeys tried to get back on level terms but the Highgrove defence stood firm. Highgrove with only half or its fixtures completed still have an outside chance of retaining its crown cannot afford to drop any points in its effort to keep its crown. Storeys who in previous seasons have hardly lost games, has lost six already and still have eight games to play and look to be out of the running for a top two finish.

Slyne was surprised at the strength of Galgate’s defence as they dominated most of the game. Slyne was the superior team throughout but could not make the break through. They did everything but score as Galgate was made to hang on desperately at times. The score at halftime was 0-0. The second half was a repeat of the first half with Slyne dominating most of the game. The unexpected came when Galgate was awarded a free kick a long way from goal. The kick taken by Nathan Bindless was floated over the defence and went straight into goals without anyone moving to defend the ball.

The Division One Holdens Solicitors/Gibson Cup Semi-Final between Ingleton Reserves and Caton United was good enough to have been the final. Both teams started cautiously and after 10 minutes Ingleton had one chance which was blasted just wide by Jonathon Boadle from 25 yards. Caton’s first chance came after 15 minutes when a Jimmy Oliver goal bound shot from inside the penalty area hit a defender’s legs and went wide for a corner.  Caton almost took the lead when a Jimmy Oliver shot beat Gary Capstack and hit the bar and went safe.  Ingleton looked dangerous going forward but was too eager and relied on long range efforts which went either wide or well over the bar. At that stage Ingleton was slightly the better team but never got near enough in the opening 30 minutes to trouble Graham Gardner in Caton’s goals.  After a good five man move Caton thought they had scored when Kyle Reardon put the ball into the net, only for his effort to be ruled out by an eagle eyed linesman who adjudged him to be offside. Reardon almost put Caton into the lead but was thwarted again when Capstack made a fantastic one handed save. With no goals being scored in the first half it was all to play for in the second half. Caton started much better and won a corner in the first minute. Both sides attacked whenever they could with Caton looking the more dangerous side going forward. Caton was denied again when a snap shot from Darren Green from 25 yards was superbly saved again by Capstack after 58 minutes.  Another rasping drive from Jimmy Oliver from 20 yards easily beat Capstack but again the ball smashed against the bar.  At the other end leading scorer for Ingleton Alex Hartley was shooting too far out and never tested Graham Gardner at all giving him an easy afternoon.  Despite injuring two fingers in an earlier clash he decided to carry on and was never really tested by the Ingleton side after that. With the game entering the last minute Caton had the ball in the net again when substitute Dave Bamford brilliantly headed in from a corner, again an eagle eyed linesman spotted a push by Bamford and the goal disallowed. This brought extra time which appeared to suit the Caton side the better as they played its best football of the whole game.  Man of the match was Mark Burkitt who won the battle of the midfield, he saw a 20 yard pile driver after 93 minutes turned onto the bar by Capstack who was having a brilliant day. From the save Caton was awarded a corner which was defended well at the expense on another corner, on the fourth corner Caton took the lead after 96 minutes when Bamford made up for his earlier error to score with an identical header.  Caton’s back four of Jimmy Oliver, player manager Jimmy Marshall, James Postlethwaite who had a good game giving Ingleton’s leading scorer Alex Hartley little room for the whole game and Mark Dawson played really well and had to keep their concentration  for all of 120 minutes. The game was played in a good spirit by both teams and well refereed by Phil Fleming. In the final Caton will play Freehold Fc on giant-Axe.

In the League Bolton le Sands after a serious of mishaps got back to winning ways when they beat a Morecambe Royals Reserves side that they drew with just a few weeks ago. Bolton le Sands after a nervy start got back to playing its good football it has been playing for most of the season.  Once Andy Banks had put Bolton Le Sands into the lead there was only going to be on winner.  Long serving Daniel Shepherd made the game safe when he added a second, or so Bolton Le Sands thought. Not long after taking a 2-0 lead Bolton le Sands conceded a penalty. But the hero of the day was stand in keeper Mark Clarkson who was drafted into the first team when the regular keeper was unwell. He brilliantly saved the Royals Reserves penalty. He went on to make many outstanding saves as the Royals felt they could get back into the game. Mark usually plays at centre half for the reserves, and on this performance could be pushing for a regular place in the first half as keeper.

A much improved College Afc side proved too good for Cartmel Reserves in a good open game of attacking football. The more experienced College defence was too strong for the younger Cartmel attackers.  Aaron Caldwell who appears to be scoring in every game he plays for College gave his side a 1-0 half time lead his team fully deserved. The second half saw a re-shuffle in Cartmel’s tactic’s which brought an instant result when Richard Spendlove equalised with a fine goal after the College defence was split wide open after good build up play.  College raised its game and it was Caldwell with his second that finally won the game for College after being under pressure for long periods of the second half.

Swarthmoor Social Club entertained Marsh United Reserves after drawing 1-1 last week. This time Swarthmoor made sure they did not drop any valuable promotion points. At present they are six points behind leaders Bolton le Sands and with six games in hand. Marsh was its usual self, playing good attacking football and at times was unlucky not to score. Swarthmoor had the better chances and took three of them when Mike Thompsett  opened the scoring with Joe Lackey scored the second, leading scorer Graham Wilcox put the game beyond Marsh with the third.

In Division Two leaders Trimpell was involved in a hard fought game when they entertained third placed and fellow promotion hopefuls Allithwaite Rangers.  Trimpell played really well but came upon David Cowperthwaite the Allithwaite keeper in top form. He made many excellent saves in the first half to deny goal hungry Trimpell.  It looked as though he would save his side from defeat as his heroics carried on to the second half, but he was beaten once when Tony Turner scored. Allithwaite could not respond and it was Cowperthwaite who kept his side in the game with more outstanding saves.  With three games in hand of Torrisholme and Allithwaite it is looking good for John Cassidy’s side after just missing out on promotion for the last two seasons.

Arnside another side looking for promotion demolished the challenge of bottom side Halton Rangers Reserves by winning 7-1. Arnside played some superb football in the rout of Halton. Goals scored for Arnside was by man of the match James Kirkham with four, young Jamie Smith, Marco Thompson and Jake Miles.  Arnside are seven points behind Trimpell with just two games in hand.

Caton United Reserves looked to have gained a rare win when they led Kirkby Lonsdale Reserves by 2-1 after two excellent strikes by Paul Stokes.  With just two minutes Caton lost concentration for Kirkby to score twice in the last two minutes after Sean Gordon had reduced the arrears to 2-1, further goals scored by Nathan Taylor and Dale Rowlands turned the game in Kirkby’s favour.

In Division Three Burton Thistle probably made sure of playing division three football next season much to the relief of its Reserves team after thrashing Villa Royale by 6-1.  Burton recorded its highest win of the season after playing really well against its near neighbours.  The experienced Peter Baxendale scored a superb hat trick but was outdone as young Martin Lookers’ hat trick was even better.  Villa Royale was outclassed and outplayed by a rampant Burton side but they did manage to score a consolation goal scored by Steven Griffiths the Villa Royales  best player on the day.  Villa Royale are not quite safe from relegation, just five points clear of AFc Moorlands who have two games in hand.

The match of the day was between two promotion hopefuls Heysham leaders at start of play and Moghuls in fifth place. Heysham had most of the play and was far the better side, but the Moghuls defence was superb as it was pushed to the limit. Heysham had loads of chances but its forwards were shot shy. Heysham was left wondering at half time why they were not well in front as they were so dominant.  Moghuls best chance of scoring in the first half was on swift breakaways, but even then Heysham’s speedy defenders got back to deny them. The second half was a mirror of the first half with Heysham having most of the play and most of the chances, but again the forwards were having a bad day. In another game they could have scored a dozen or more. If they lose out on promotion they will look back on this game that cost them.  Moghuls will have to play much better if they are to achieve its aim of promotion to division two.

Galgate Reserves have crept up to the leaders over the last few weeks and has now taken over as leaders after beating lowly Highgrove Colts by 4-2 in a scrappy game.  Galgate turned on the style in the second half and played much better than the first. David Morgan opened the scoring for Galgate, Kieron Dodd and a brace from Simon Gould ensured the win for Galgate. Highgrove Colts never gave up but was not quite good enough to really trouble the Galgate side, Liam Breslin and Chris Lund replied with good goals for the colts who are in danger of dropping back into division four after just one season in division three.

In the Kelly/Cunningham Semi-Final a strong Freehold Reserves side was just too good for a hard working Heysham Reserves side. They beat a a determined Heysham side to repeat its first teams feat of making it through to the final. The early exchanges were quite even, but as the game went on Freehold started to look the more likely to score with Danny Murtagh, kyle Davies and Liam Morgan all going close. It was however Levi Taylor who on the stroke of half time hit a sweet left foot shot that beat the Heysham keeper at the near post to open the scoring. Freehold again came out for the second half looking to kill off the gallant Heysham side but wayward finishing and fine defending kept Freehold at bay. However Heysham created little in the way of chances and Freehold eased home to make it to the final in its first season in the league. A feat the team is proud of.                 

In the League the much improved Carnforth Rangers ‘A’ side deservedly earned itself a draw after a hard working performance against a much more experienced College AFc Reserves side.  The game itself was lively with both sides having opportunities to have won with ease, both keepers played well to deny the forwards. At the end a draw was probably the fairest result, a result which keeps both teams in mid table and safe from having to apply for re-election to the league. Alan Brister scored for college and Jason Cornthwaite replied for a gutsy Carnforth side.

Trimpell Reserves increased its lead at the top to seven points when they comfortably beat Arnside Reserves by 5-1. The score line a fair account of the game. Trimpell scored after playing good football and denying Arnside many chances. Simon Warren, Ian Dewhirst,  Matthew Hartley (2) and substitute Luke Brooks scored for Trimpell, Jack Burke the Arnside substitute replied with a consolation.  The game was played in a good spirit by both sides.

Ingleton ‘A’ are slipping down the table and are now third from bottom as they lost again. This time they went down to Burton Thistle Reserves to lose 3-2. Ingleton had no luck in front of goals, a bit of good luck would have seen them take all three points, Jake Armistead (2) including the winner and Malcolm Thornton scored the goals for Burton.  In reply Joe Smith and Sam Whitfield scored for Ingleton.