LYTHAM
Men went down to a goal scored in the dying minutes, but
they showed enough spirit against the powerful Brooklands
Club to give them hope for the season ahead.
The match started at a frenetic pace and stayed that way for the full 70 minutes, though both sides played attractive hockey.
Lytham's in-form striker Craig Nuttall opened the scoring after 20 minutes, converting on the rebound from 10 yards, but Brooklands drew level just before half-time.
The second half followed the same pattern, with Daf Jones saving Lytham twice and his opposite number also busy.
However, with five minutes to go Lytham left a man unmarked at the far post and paid the penalty to lose 2-1. Even so, Lytham look a very strong outfit which bodes well for the future.
BATTLING Lytham seconds can take heart despite a 6-4 defeat by Urmston. The match could so easily have gone the other way if Lytham had capitalised on their penalty corners.
Doug Green scored twice but Lytham conceded four sloppy goals in as many minutes to trail 4-2 at half-time.
Evergreen veteran Raj Toor showed enormous skill, while brothers Gavin and Gareth Gettings were always battling away.
Green completed his hat-trick in the second half before Martin Currie flicked the ball home for Lytham's fourth. Urmston tired but did manage to score two more in the second half.
LYTHAM thirds won 2-1 at Bebington despite the absence of skipper Dave Bleasdale and sweeper Anton Wright.
However, they welcomed back Chris Ashworth and twice came close to scoring before Bebington took the lead from a penalty corner.
Lytham's pressure was rewarded with a spectacular equaliser from left-back Mike Satterthwaite on a rare sortie upfield.
Lytham started the second half in high spirits, with David Waby and Ashworth outstanding, and Dave Nuttall scored to clinch the team's first win of the season. There were some very good performances from the younger players.
HOLMES Chapel came back from behind to win a close-fought match against Lytham fourths 2-1 at Kirkham.
Lytham's strong start was rewarded with an early lead through Phillip Collier Baker, scoring from a well-worked penalty corner.
However, Holmes Chapel equalised after a goalmouth scramble in an end-to-end match.
Right-back Mark Lilley was very solid starting his first game of the season, but Lytham failed to convert their chances and paid the price. Stuart Waby worked hard in midfield.
LYTHAM Ladies seconds took advantage of a free date to rearrange a Lancashire Central League division one match against Lancaster University firsts at Ansdell Sports Arena.
It turned out to be a hard match for Lytham, who did extremely well to come out of it with a 3-2 win. Lisa Lopez put Lytham in front from closerange and their defence then stood firm until half-time.
After the restart, Jo Martyn Clark doubled the lead from a penalty corner but Lancaster replied. Back came Lytham with another powerful Clark strike but Lancaster again reduced the deficit.
It took some exceptional goalkeeping from Lisa Brown to prevent the visitors equalising.