WEST LANCS DIVISION ONE

BLACKROD Town inflicted a magnificent first defeat of the season on Wyre Villa after fighting back in the second half from a goal down.

Carl Marshall got the first with a thunderous shot leaving Andy Morris and Andrew Arrowsmith to finish it off.

A goal from Thomasson early on made life difficult for Eagley against Poulton Town but a precision strike five minutes before half time from Barry Derbyshire levelled the scores.

Villagers' Neil Mathews scored on his debut when Phil Hutchinson's shot had rebounded off the post. The reserves won 2-1 at Kirkham and Wesham.

Turton conceded three goals in the first 15 minutes at Vickers of Barrow. But they fought back with two goals from Rick Reihl and Graham Sanders before the break.

Manager Peter Cooper commented: "The way we fought back, it looked as through we would just go on and win it comfortably in the second half.

"Unfortunately, an horrendous second 45 minutes saw us concede three late goals and generally throw in the towel. It was a shocking display from us and there will have to be changes both on and off the field otherwise we are on our way down!"

Bad defending yet again cost Tempest United dear in a 6-0 defeat at Lancs Constabulary.

Club chairman Alan Westhead commented: "We looked the better of the two sides in the opening half hour but once the first goal went in, we just seemed to crumble."

The young reserve side drew 0-0 with Garstang making it three draws on the trot. MANCHESTER

LEAGUE

STACK the odds against Little Hulton United and they are never better.

A disappointing start to their bid to defend the Premier Division title was beginning to look even worse when big rivals Abbey Hey took an early lead with a freak goal straight from a corner.

Ian Molyneux was sent off and United immediately went another goal behind.

Against all odds they fought back with a top class performance with Mattie Swales pulling a goal back and Daniel Christie hitting the second, his first for the club.

Swales then finished off a magnificent comeback with a superb 30-yard chip over the keeper in the dying seconds.

Manager Steve Vychinski commented: "We totally destroyed them in that closing spell. I'd had to ask Tony Brookes and Mark Foster to play out of position for the game but they were absolutely superb!"

ATHERTON Town beat a strong Wythenshawe Amateurs side 1-0 with the deciding goal coming with just 15 minutes remaining when Steve Crilly was upended and Steve Cooney scored from the penalty spot.

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