North Lancs Football - Ingleton in Craven Cup goal rush

Bentham Reserves made it two wins by the local sides when they travelled to play Sedbergh Wanderers in what on paper was going to be tricky fixture for Bentham.

Manager Brian Jackson said his team played out of their skins and fully deserved to win. They played probably their best football of the season so far.

The game ebbed and flowed with the Bentham strikers on top form, Wayne Halford, Danny Ellershaw, Dave Chapman and Kieron Spencer scoring the goals in their 4-3 win In the Craven and District Football Association Senior Cup 3rd Round: Bentham entertained Rimmington in a thrilling end to end game.

Rimmington went into a 1-0 first half lead after some great football. The second half saw the game continue with its free flowing football, with Bentham just having the edge. James Earnshaw was giving the visitors a torrid time whenever he had the ball.

It was from an excellent move that brought the equaliser when Earnshaw again outwitted the visitors. With no more goals being scored the game went to extra time, again the game was fast with both sides playing really well.

Bentham went into a 2-1 lead when again Earnshaw beat his markers.

This looked as though it would be enough for Bentham to win the game, but with the game in the last minute a mistake allowed Rimmington to equalise with almost the last kick of the game. To make it a 2-2 draw.

The replay will be on Saturday December 18th 2010 at Rimmington.

In the Craven and District Football Association Morrison Cup 1st Round: Ingleton travelled to play Earby Town and played really well. Ingleton was always in charge and scored almost at will, scoring nine times without conceding.

David Easterby set his team on the way, Nathan Jackson scored four times, strike partner Alex Hartley two, young Darren Blacow and David Whitfield the other scorers. The next round is scheduled for Saturday December 18th 2010 opponents unknown.

In the Black Dragon Senior Challenge Cup 2nd Round: Division Three side Moghuls had the unenviable task of trying to knock out Premier side Storeys. For the opening 10 minutes it was hard to see which team played in the Premier Division as Moghuls went all out to knock Storeys out of its stride.

In this opening spell Moghuls should have scored at least twice, but some good defending denied them. After weathering the early storm, Storeys got into the game with a bang scoring four times in the next 10 minutes when they caught Moghuls catching its second breath, Jonathon Pedder, Oliver Bruno and Nathan Winder with two great goals.

The score remained 4-0 to the break. The second half saw Moghuls raise its game again and pulled one goal back when Morgan Zapalou made it 4-1.

The remainder of the half was quite even with both sides having chances. With just two minutes left Storeys scored two more goals by David Leslie and Steve Millar. Man of the match was Storeys Nathan Winder for his all round industry.

In the third round Storeys will have a much harder game when in an all Premier tie they entertain TIC Dynamos who beat them in a league match only last week.

In the 3rd Round: what was supposed to be a mismatch between a young Division Four Lancaster Rovers side and the more experienced Premier side Cartmel and District.

The game however, although not a brilliant spectacle was evenly contested for most of the game. Cartmel always had the edge and deserved to win. Tony Smith scored a great goal for the Rovers side, in reply Steve Porter, Joel Drinkall with two and Ben Clarke scored for Cartmel. In the fourth round Cartmel will be away to Division One leaders College AFc.

In the Fisher/Howson Remembrance Cup 1st Round Burton Thistle Reserves a division lower than Boys Club Reserves put up a good performance before losing by 2-0, a score that flattered the Boys Club side.

Burton did most of the attacking but got caught out by goals scored by Stuart Leeming and a first of the season for Glen Chapplehow.

In round two to be played this Saturday Boys Club Reserves face another tough game when they travel to play Carnforth Rangers Reserves.

Cartmel Reserves had a far harder game than they expected when they entertained lowly Bolton Le Sands Reserves. Although Cartmel was the more dominant side, it was the defence of the Bolton Le Sands side that was outstanding, making it hard work for the division one side to break down.

Goals were scored for Cartmel by Richard Spendlove (2), Alastair Daggett and veteran Ian Saunders who was having a rare run out.

In round two Cartmel will travel to meet the winners of the Ingleton Reserves/Galgate Reserves tie.

Division One side Marsh United Reserves entertained Division Four side Freehold Reserves in what was expected to be a one sided affair.

It turned out to be anything but one sided. Freehold was every bit as good as Marsh, the tie could have gone either way. Marsh’s biggest problem was in front of goals.

The one goal they did score was by James Davies. Freehold was always in with a chance as Marsh tried to defend a one goal lead, which after a few scares they did. In round two they will travel to play Caton United Reserves.

In the 2nd Round Division Four side Gregson Reserves came out on top, beating Division Two side Kirkby Lonsdale Reserves by 2-1 after extra time. As both sides are struggling in their respective divisions the game looked to be a game to miss.

But it turned out to be a good game played between two sides that tried its best to win the game. Danny Fuller scored for Gregson and Rob Tremble scored for Kirkby to send the tie into extra time.

Again both sides tried their best to score and attacked at every opportunity.

The best chance of the extra time periods fell to Dean McCall who managed to beat the Kirkby keeper to win the game for Gregson. In Round three Gregson will be at home to the winners of Caton Reserves and Marsh Reserves.

In the Premier Division Highgrove returned to the top after comfortably beating Swarthmoor Social Club by 4-0. Swarthmoor started off well and surprised Highgrove with its quality of its play. Once Highgrove settled and took the lead with a Dan Broadley goal, there was only going to be one winner.

Further goals scored for Highgrove were from ma of the match Luke Ogley (2) and Jamie Lothian. This defeat leaves Swarthmoor in the bottom three and struggling.

The match of the day was between fourth placed Morecambe Royals and Slyne with Hest, leaders at the start of play.

The Royals who are going through a bad loss of form started well and had more possession, but could not capitalise on it. As they continued to be the better side, they got punished when Tom Geary scored from Slyne’s best move of the first half.

The second half saw the Royals again the better side but lacked the killer punch in front of goals. Slyne’s defence played well in the second half as they tried to protect its lead.

With 20 minutes remaining the Royals got the equaliser they had tried desperately to get when substitute Steve Howley scored. With time running out the Royals had a great chance to snatch all three points they needed to keep up with the leaders.

But Rikki Ball’s shot for goal sailed over the bar when he was well placed to have scored.

The young Bowerham/Furness United side are definitely on the up. They entertained the more experienced Marsh United side who are for them having a torrid time. Marsh has been one of the best sides in the league for years.

This season instead of fighting for the title they are fighting to avoid relegation. The first half was quite even and remained goal less, even though both sides should have scored.

The second half was different as Bowerham turned on the pressure which resulted in goals scored by Joe Bouskill with the first, Andy Strachan, Danny Austin and Nick Turner.

After Bowerham’s first goal was scored Marsh could not respond. This win moves the Bowerham side up into third place and are looking to be a real danger for the title.

Galgate returned to winning ways when they quite easily beat bottom side Freehold by 5-2. Galgate was much more workmanlike in this game than in previous games and it paid dividends with goals scored by Richard Cragg, Tom Eccles, Charles Andrews and a brace by Chris Haslam.

Freehold took advantage of catching Galgate’s defenders out of position by scoring twice through young Kyle Davies and Mike Allan.

An excellent game was played out between Tic Dynamos who are going through a transitional period and Carnforth who are not playing to its full potential. The game started with a bang when Carnforth’s player manager Vernon Middleton scored in the first minute to shake the Dynamos side.

Dynamos hit back and within five minutes had equalised when Mark Wiggins scored a good goal. Both sides settled down and played some good football, each attacking whenever they got the chance. Both sides scored again Lee Norman for TIC and Middleton again showed his players how to score, this left the score at 2-2 at half time.

The second half started with both sides showing caution, but it did not last long as they went back onto attack. The Dynamos side just started to get on top and went into a 3-2 lead after Stuart Rushworth scored a cracking goal.

As Carnforth tried to fight back, they were hit when substitute Paul Turner scored the Dynamos fourth. It looked all over for Carnforth as the Dynamos defence looked to be holding out.

In the 87th minute Carnforth struck again when Mark Plevey scored another great goal to set up a hectic few minutes, but the Dynamos stood firm in what had been a cracking game played in good spirit by both sides.

In the Division One Holdens Solicitors/Gibson Cup 1st Round the game between Millhead and College AFc was a real cracking cup tie, good enough to have been the final. Both sides being committed to winning the game by playing good football, played on the ground. Millhead just coming out on top, winning by 4-3 in a game that could have gone either way.

Both sides missed chances, both keepers played well to keep their teams in with a chance. The College AFc keeper Ben Anderson scored the goal of the game when from a free kick inside his own half he blasted the ball head high which flew into the net as the Millhead keeper stood in disbelief.

But it was not enough as Robert Crump scored twice, Matthew Clapp and Andy Markham for Millhead. College’s other goals were scored by Dean Slater and Adam Campbell in and end to end cracking game played in an excellent spirit, which was a credit to both sides. In round two Millhead with travel to meet Ingleton Reserves.

In the League the match of the day was without doubt between Arnside and Trimpell, two of the best sides in this highly contested division.

At the start of play Trimpell was second and Arnside fourth. Arnside the better footballing side took their chances much better than Trimpell and just about deserved its 4-2 win. James Kirkham (2), Marco Thompson and Adam Richardson scored for Arnside. Aidan Dunphy and Paul Dewhurst replied for Trimpell.

Bolton Le Sands met Kirkby Lonsdale for the fourth time this season, both sides winning two each. In this league game, Kirkby turned on the style to record a good and deserved win. Bolton Le Sands could not keep Chris Lees quiet as he turned in a man of the match display and scored twice, Elliot Oxley scored the third. In reply for a well beaten Bolton le Sands side was a good goal scored by long serving Daniel Shepherd, Bolton Le Sands best player on the day.

Boys Club entertained Morecambe Royals Reserves with a much weakened team due to injuries, their main keeper was also unavailable. Despite fielding a much stronger side, the Royals struggled to break down the Boys Club defence. The deadlock was broken when Steve McMinn scored from the penalty spot to give the Royals the lead.

The Royals went further in front when McMinn scored his second. The Royals sealed the game which slightly flattered them after Richard McDonnell scored. Boys Club pulled one goal back when Damien Murphy scored from the penalty spot. This leaves Boys Club perilously close to a relegation place.

Bottom team Storeys Reserves with only one win so far this season put up a brave performance against free scoring Caton United. Inside the opening two minutes Caton almost took the lead, a long high ball into the penalty area from Adam Lund was just headed over by Steve Oliver when perhaps he should have done better. Storeys who had conceded 8 goals last time these teams met were in a more determined mood this time.

In the 12th minute a terrific shot from Storeys Richard Simister was brilliantly turned round the post by 16 year old Caton keeper Aidan Roberts. The keeper was in action saving his side again when he turned another shot from Bruno Oliver round the post. Although Caton played the better football it was Storeys who did most of the attacking, a fierce shot from 25 yards by Oliver looked to be going into the net, but at the last second the ball swerved just wide of the far post.

Storeys almost got the goal at this stage they deserved when in a goalmouth scramble a shot for goal hit an upright and was cleared. In the last seconds of the first half with Roberts out of position only a great block by a Caton defender stopped Storeys from taking the lead.

The second half started with Caton getting more of the ball and playing better than the first half. They had more possession in the early stages and in the 55th minute Caton took the lead, a long ball out of defence by Roberts was flicked on by Chris Wright, his header finding Adam Lund who made no mistake from close in to give his side the lead.

Caton had most of the chances and in the 65th minute Chris Wright who tormented Storeys defence the whole game was brought down by the keeper.

Mark Burkitt decided to take the spot kick which was poor and easily saved by the keeper, to keep his side in the game. With 15 minutes remaining Storeys should have equalised, Simister broke away and with only man of the match Roberts to beat, he delayed his shot allowing the keeper to take the ball off him and the chance gone.

Storeys piled on the pressure after that and with just 10 minutes to play Simister broke away again and this time did not delay his shot and scored a good equalising goal which they fully deserved. Caton did what the do best in the remaining time, they attacked, with just two minutes left on the clock Wright again was the provider for Lund to score his second from almost on the goal line to put his side back in front.

Instead of sitting back Caton again went all out on to attack and got its reward with two goals in the last minute scored by Chris Wright and finally to save his blushes Mark Burkitt from close in.

In the Division Two Whiteside Cup 2nd Round a cracking cup tie between Carnforth Rangers Reserves and Galgate Reserves was won by the more experienced Carnforth side by 3-2. Nathan Downham being the match winner for Carnforth with his two excellent goals, the other and winning goal was scored by Alex Benson. Veterans Johnny Walling and David Morgan scored the Galgate’s goals and felt unlucky to lose.

In the league Allithwaite Rangers who have been bottom of the division since the start of the season finally won its first game of the season when they comprehensively beat Highgrove Reserves by 5-1. Playing its best football of the season and also fielding its strongest side they won with ease. The result was never in doubt once veteran Brad Thompson had given them the lead.

Other goals scored for Allithwaite was scored by another veteran and long serving David Addison with the goal of the game, Thompson scored his second and two by Nathan Bushell, in reply Matthew Walton scored a good goal for Highgrove after the best move of the match.

The match of the day was between leaders Grange and Overton and Middleton. Grange started much better than the Overton side. Grange’s played much superior football for most of the game as they opened up a two goal lead with both goals being scored by Matthew Dean, his first a brilliant header and his second a cool finish.

After playing so well Grange must have lost its discipline as they had a player sent off. Overton capitalised on this with a well taken goal scored by Ben Lowther who volleyed the ball into the net from just outside the penalty area. Although Overton piled on the pressure in the remaining time Grange hung on to win by 2-1 to move 10 points in front of third placed Heysham.

Westgate Wanderers had a hard game before getting passed lowly Slyne with Hest Reserves. Although Westgate was better side going forward, they had trouble getting past a good Slyne defence. Andy Thurlwell came to the rescue with a stunning goal just before half time.

The second half was much the same as the first with Westgate just the better side, again it was Thurlwell that saved Westgate when he scored his and his sides second to give his side a 2-0 lead.

There was a twist late in the game when Westgate conceded an own goal scored by Josh Dixon. In the last minute Thurlwell had a great chance to have completed what would have been a glorious hat trick, but his shot for an ‘easy’ goal went over the bar.

In the Division Three Fairclough/Woodruff/Parkinson/Collegian Cup 1st Round a much weakened Carnforth Rangers ‘A’ side was on the wrong end of a heavy defeat when they were outplayed by the veterans of Morecambe Gold.

The Gold side was much too good and scored without much resistance, Scott Kennedy scored the first two, John Eccles also scored twice and John Friel getting one. In round two the Gold will be away to Boys Club Reserves in a repeat of last seasons final.

In the League Caton United Reserves suffered a shock defeat when they went down to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of a weakened AFc Moorlands side.

Caton who had been in good form of late were decidedly second best against a team that wanted to win more. The only goal of the game was a belter scored by Andy Woodcock to secure a well deserved win for his side.

Third placed Gregson also suffered a shock defeat when they lost by 2-1 to Trimpell Reserves who so far this seaon had only won once. Gregson never looked good enough and after Sam McKee and Sam Cockburn had scored for Trimpell there was no way back for Gregson, although Jamie Fawcett managed one goal, it was never going to be enough.

Villa Royale played exceptionally well to score 8 goals without reply against an Overton/Middleton Reserves side that lacked direction when their manager was taken to hospital just before the game started.

Overton showed little resistance as goals scored by James Bousfield, Scott Butterworth (2), the dynamic Mitchell Dyson also with two and a brilliant hat trick by Steve Griffiths. This win moves Villa Roylae up to fourth place.

Burton Thistle who had not won a league game after 9 previous attempts, made it 10 times lucky when they travelled to play Pilling in a bottom of the table clash. Burton played much better that of previous weeks but in this game they were helped by a weakened Pilling side.

The game was never a classic but for goals there was some excellent ones scored. Peter Baxendale (2), Chris Plevey, Jake Armistead with a superb hat trick, going one better was from young Martin Looker who scored four good goals, his hat trick goal the best of the lot.

In reply Oliver Hunter kept up his scoring record with two good goals and hardly deserved to be on the losing side.

In Division Four leaders Moor Lane kept up its 100% record with a comfortable 5-1 win over Arnside Reserves. Moor Lane in fact scored all six goals. Arnside played well enough but just could not make the break through they went for early in the game. But goals scored by Martin Jackson, Joe Townley with a hat trick and Alan Wright ensured an easy win for Moor Lane. Andy Townley scored an own goal for Arnside.

College AFc Reserves moved off the bottom of the league when they emphatically beat a young Ingleton ‘A’ side by 6-1.

Jonathon Patrick recorded his first two goals for the club, veteran Ian Crabtree got a rare goal, Simon Brister and a welcome return to form of Andy Chilton who scored two cracking goals. Ben Wood scored a late consolation for Ingleton.