LANCASHIRE SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE: April Update
AFC Preston are three points clear of Fulwood & Broughton in the PREMIER DIVISION with three games to come between the two sides in May. The first is on the 3rd as Fulwood & Broughton host the league leaders and the second will be the Syndicate Trust Challenge Cup final held at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium on 6th May. Irongate won the Lancashire FA Sunday Trophy at the County Ground in Leyland during April, defeating Bowling Green FC 3-0 with goals from Zack Wilkes, Joey Richardson and Gaz Basterfield. Irongate’s Joseph Richardson leads the Premier Division goalscoring charts with 21 to his name.
Three teams remain in contention for the DIVISION ONE Championship with Fylde Coast Football, Astley & Buckshaw Utd and AFC Preston (Reds) separated by five points. Fylde Coast are on 45 but have just one game remaining, while Astley & Buckshaw are one point behind but with four games in hand. AFC Preston (Reds) have two to play, they’ll need to win both and hope that the two sides above them drop points. Astley & Buckshaw Utd’s attention has been somewhat on their cup exploits, defeating AFC Horwich to win the Syndicate Trust Presidents Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw with goals during the game from Joshua Sarda and Adam Cormican. Goalkeeper Martin Dietz made the crucial spot-kick save. There’s plenty of competition to be top scoring in Division One. Joel Chester (Astley & Buckshaw Utd) and Richard Coley (SRDC Purples) have notched 20, Luke Russell has 19 for Fylde Coast Football, while both Jack Mountain (Gregson Lane Wanderers) and Joshua Sarda (Astley & Buckshaw Utd) have scored 17.
Having set the pace throughout the season, Chorley Wanderers (Blues) secured the DIVISION TWO title with a record of 17 wins, three draws and one loss from their 21 played. They still have Theatre Boys to play as they cap off their season at Worden Park on 10th May. Greenlands are second, four points shy of the title winners with one game to go, but they could be overtaken by Penwortham St Teresa’s (Yellows), who have two fixtures to fulfil and are three points behind Greenlands. Parkfield Ants will end the season in fourth, they possess the top scorer in Charlie Howarth, who has contributed 32 goals in his 16 games played. Greenlands’ Weslie Bajraliu has scored 28 and William Thom has 25 for Midgery Court.
The DIVISION THREE title will be decided on Thursday 7th May at Hutton Church of England Grammar School as Penwortham St Teresa’s (Whites) need to defeat Atletico Clifton to claim Championship honours. A draw for Penwortham St Teresa’s would earn them second behind Moor Park Utd, while a loss leaves them in third behind Buckshaw (Reds). Worden Rangers are currently fourth, they participated in a Syndicate Trust Presidents Cup Semi-Final at UCLan Sports Arena and possess the top Division Three goalscorer in Danny Rowe.
AFC Horwich wrapped up the DIVISION FOUR Championship with a win against title rivals Freckleton (U23) thanks to two goals from Adam Cormican. Second place is still up for grabs between Buckshaw and Freckleton with Whittle secure in fourth. AFC Horwich earned tremendous credit for their performance in the Presidents Cup Final, drawing 1-1 with Astley & Buckshaw Utd and only suffering defeat on penalties. Four players have scored 20 or more goals in Division Four. Drew Brindle has 20 for Whittle, Taylor Royle has scored 22 representing Freckleton (U23), AFC Horwich’s Adam Cormican has notched 22 and Jamie Forshaw leads the way for Buckshaw with 24.
Longridge Town wrapped up the YOUTH DIVISION BLUE Championship, sitting on 31 points with a game to play as their nearest challengers are Trimpell & Bare Rangers on 21 despite a game in hand.
Chorley (U18) earned the YOUTH DIVISION RED title thanks to their head-to-head record against Burnley Utd. The Magpies’ record this season from their 14 games is ten wins, two draws and two losses with a goal difference of 68. Two teams could still overcome Burnley Utd for second, Lostock St Gerards (Whites) and Fulwood Amateur (Blues). Two teams from Youth Division Red were Syndicate Trust Youth Trophy finalists, Brinscall Village U18 (Yellows) defeated Blackburn Eagles 5-2.
Three teams are vying for the YOUTH DIVISION WHITE crown. Chipping are first on 40 points with Myerscough Athletic (U18) level on points with a game in hand. Lostock St Gerards (U18) are third, four points back, but they still have six games to play. Lostock St Gerards (U18) won the Syndicate Trust Youth Cup against Lostock St Gerards (Whites), marking the first time two teams from one club competed in a youth final.
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