LADYBRIDGE'S superb start to the season continued as they caused something of an upset to make progress in the Lancashire FA Shield, hitting local rivals Eagley for six.

The side currently leading the West Lancashire League Division Two were in irresistable form at Tempest Road against the Eagles, who were relegated from the Premier Division last season.

Manager Dean Walmsley was delighted to welcome back his captain, Kieran Edwards, as well as Darren Smethurst and Niall Callaghan after injury. And the last of that trio announced his return emphatically, hitting three goals, with Michael Rice scoring two and Benson Johnson the other for the rampant hosts, who go into today's third-round draw.

Ladybridge came down from Division One last term but have made a remarkable start in their bid to return at the first time of asking.

And Walmsley was in no doubt they deserved their victory as they turned their attention to the shield.

"We battered them," he said. "They'd had two losses in a row coming into the game but we knew they were a good team, we just didn't let them play.

"We said to them before the game we needed them to step up, and they did that, it was one of the best performances we have had, particularly in the first half. We were at our best and Eagley had a bit of an off-day.

"We pressed them high and really stepped it up against a team in a higher division, we deserved to go through to the third round."

His side are a point clear at the head of the Division Two table but with Millom a point behind with three games in hand and third-placed Leyland United having four games in hand, Walmsley knows they must build on – and, if possible, improve upon – their good work so far.

"It's back to the league this week, we've got a difficult game against Charnock Richard's reserves," he said.

"They're not bad at all, it'll be a tough game, their first team play at North West Counties level.

"So I'm looking for the same attitude and performance level from the lads. They've set the standard now and I expect exactly the same again this week."

Perhaps the game of the day in the Shield's second round of fixtures was another surprise result as two local West Lancashire League teams met at CMB, the hosts edging out their visitors from the Premier Division, Tempest United 4-3.

It was a result that delighted CMB boss Rob Pennington, who was quick to pay respect to the visitors' quality.

"It was a really good game and we were pleased to beat the team I would say is the best amateur football club in Bolton," he said. "They're a yardstick for us, we believe we are a good enough team to be in the Premier Division so to win that game was a boost for us, we were unplayable in the first half."

It was a match dedicated to Paul Jones, who had strong links with both clubs and who passed away recently. The teams had a minute's applause and a collection was made in his memory to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

After Danny Swailes pulled a thigh opening the scoring with a diving header, Liam Carr doubled CMB's lead but Sam Parkinson pulled one back for Tempest.

Carr's second, after excellent link-up play with Matty Chapman, restored the two-goal cushion before the break. Tempest refused to give way and Chris Farnworth scored to once again bring them to within a goal.

Still fighting for fitness after injury, Carr sealed victory for CMB 15 minutes from time with a sublime effort, clearing the stranded Tempest keeper from inside his own half and, although Parkinson scored his second and Tempest's third, it was not enough to halt the hosts' progress.

"It was my best result as CMB manager, and a game 'Jonah' would have enjoyed, even though he'd probably have preferred a Tempest win," added Pennington. "Liam's goal to win it was special. I looked at it and I thought it was a really bad pass at first, he was at least 10 yards inside his own half but he cleared the keeper and it went in, it was brilliant. We'd kept asking him for another five minutes, then another five minutes, so we took him off after that goal.

"They (Tempest) are a very good team and it was by no means one-way traffic but all the team, including the subs, was terrific, their desire was out of this world and they did exactly as we asked of them, they trusted us and bought into what we are trying to achieve.

"A result like that can only give us great belief."

In the Premier Division, Turton sit sixth after Dylan Winstanley's brace gave them a 2-1 victory at home to Southport Hesketh.