Lytham avengers sweep to resounding win
Lytham mens first team romped to an 8-0 win at bottom of the table Norton on Teeside. Lytham took the opportunity of blooding a couple of their up and coming youngsters against a side really struggling at the bottom of the league. Both Graham Shaw and Sam Ashworth came through their test well to help Lytham make it eight wins out of their last nine league games. In atrocious Deeside weather, Lytham dominated from the start going 2-0 in ten minutes thanks to a Dave Robbins penalty flick and a typical Craig Nuttall effort. Debutant Graham Shaw cuffed a solid display by adding a third before half time. Lytham ran away with the second half with superior attacking passing and control which led to five more goals. Chris Hadley netted twice, while Robbins completed a hat trick. Another sound performance from Tom Atkinson which led to him scoring the eighth and last goal. Lytham mens seconds lost 2-1 at home to Holmes Chapel. Playing in poor conditions at Ansdell, Lytham got off to a bright start with a goal by Bob Lowe from right midfield. But the visitors soon drew level. And despite some resolute defence by Graham Stuart with support from goalkeeper Danny Horne, Holmes Chapel managed to score the winning goal. Lytham thirds took the lead at Deeside Ramblers inside three minutes with a fine Martin Currie strike but still crashed 5-2. Deeside equalised just before half time. With Lytham's dominance receding, Deeside took the lead before a brilliant pass by Michael Satterthwaite gave Currie an open net which he converted. But a tired Lytham side conceded three more goals. David Burns and Joe Craig were Lytham's star players. Lytham men’s fourths made it four wins in a row with a 2-1 victory against Warrington at Bispham to haul themselves away from the relegation zone. Young Stuart Waby linked well with veteran Len Ashworth to produce a string of attacks and eventually Simon Gardiner scored with a superb turn and shot. In the second half it was much the same with Andy Pothecary and Chris Mallings stopping any Warrington attacks until a series of penalty corners led to a sloppy equaliser trickling over the line. Mike Gannon hit Lytham’s winner with a well struck shot and in an increasingly heated finale Lytham kept their composure to hold out. LYTHAM Ladies gained revenge for derby defeat at Preston earlier in the season with an excellent 4-0 home win. Lian Atkinson put Lytham in front when sweeping a loose ball home in the circle. In the second half Lytham became more clinical and capitalised on the chances created. Their third goal which began deep in their own half, was the pick of the bunch. A series of swift passes led to Heidi Whitehead slotting home from close range. The work rate of the Lytham midfield was impressive. Kelly Ferguson and Gill Harrison scored the other two Lytham goals. Lytham Ladies seconds also kept up the good work with a superb 3-1 win at Lancaster thirds. Despite torrential rain and biting wind making for atrocious conditions, Lytham adapted better and took an early lead when Kim Shaples scored after a good passing movement with Jenny Leng. Lancaster equalised soon after. But playing with the wind in the second half, Lytham showed great spirit, right from Lorna Leach at the back, through Jane Kelly and Natalie Ingham to Jenny Leng who scored their second goal. Another break and passing by Kim, Jenny and Louise Herring saw Louise strike ball home for the third which put the result beyond doubt. Claire Roberts at left back and Janet Shaw at right mid field both deserve special mention. Lytham Ladies thirds didn't have quite such a day to remember - beaten 14-1 at home by title favourites Southport. Again with only ten players Lytham were overrun by a very strong Southport team. Lisa Sykes was Lytham's player of the match. Keeper Jenny Duthie did everything she could to keep the score down.