Reds on rise
carried on their pursuit of a second goal.
McConville, inside 83 minutes, found Clark with acres of space at the back post, but his effort hit the side netting. Moments later, Jackson went close for a third time as Roche, again, thwarted his effort in front of goal.
Stanley finally got their second goal of the game inside 89 minutes, as Jack- son drove past the defenders inside the box. Almost running the ball out of play and with Roche fast approaching, the 23-yearold neatly laid the ball off to Clark who tapped in from close range, ensuring the visitors took home all three points.
Then, in the dying moments of extra-time, substitute Chapman tipped Elliot Osbourne’s cross from the right-flank into the path of Ellison, who headed home from the far post as a consolation.
“I thought the sending off probably lifted them. They got another ten per cent out of themselves and we went into our shells a little bit.
“Credit to Morecambe, they came at us for fifteen minutes and pinned us back, made chances themselves and on another day they might have had a penalty. But the chances that we missed, we should have been well out of sight.
“We were keeping the ball for fun and then we go and concede a goal and it was a nervy last few minutes and a situation we shouldn’t have been in.
“But when the dust set- tles, to come here in a local derby and win the game is a good achievement. It means that we’ve had a satisfactory start – ten points from five games and if we maintain that we’ll get promoted.”
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET
IT was one of those unfortunate weekends for the Lancashire League where the glorious early autumnal sunshine of Saturday saw just two fixtures scheduled – with the majority of games pencilled in for Sunday.
Sadly, the contrast in weather was stark, resulting in a day of rain-hit matches, many of which saw little if any play. Still, the sun shone on some teams, if only metaphorically.
Division A leaders Clitheroe were the weekend’s big winners, starting with a 26-run victory against Haslingden at Chatburn Road.
Having won the toss, the visitors chose to field and enjoyed early success with Jo Sipocz claiming the wicket of opener Charlie Dewhurst (4) at 1-8.
However, fellow opener Alistair Ross stuck around for a while and number three batsman Jack Dewhurst did the damage with the bat for Clitheroe, thumping nine fours in a knock of 79.
When Ross fell, lbw to Lewis McIntosh, for 27, Clitheroe were in a commanding position of 83-2.
Jack Dewhurst kept the score ticking along with professional Fawad Alam content to keep him on strike, the home side taking the score to 119 before Alam was caught by Sean Hunsley off the bowling of Oliver Lord.
Thereafter, only Harrison Phelan (12) reached double figures and when Jack Dewhurst finally fell to a Wayne Madsen delivery - Jack Sudworth taking the catch - Clitheroe were 158-9 and were all out for 166.
Sub pro Madsen finished with figures of 5-61 having ripped through the lower order and claiming the prized wicket if Jack Dewhurst.
Set an attainable target, Haslingden ticked along steadily.
Madsen hit five fours in his innings of 37, but wickets fell regularly and the visitors were dismissed for 140.
The only other game played on the day saw Lowerhouse enjoy a 16-run win over Burnley at the Brooks Foundation Ground.
There was more action on Sunday, though not at Ramsbottom, much to opponents’ Darwen’s disappointment. The postponment without any play possible – meant the second placed side lost further ground on leaders Clitheroe, who moved to within three points of the Division A title by beating Nelson.
Todmorden moved up to third when their game at East Lancs was washed out.
In Division B, there were celebrations among Enfield’s travelling contingent at Great Harwood as they clinched the title despite the fact there was no play.
David Ormerod’s farewell game for Accrington at Thorneyholme Road before his retirement didn’t last long. Opponents Rawtenstall were 24 without having been put in by the home side when the rain came.
Rishton and Bacup did mange to complete their game, visitors Bacup claiming a nine-wicket victory. Rishton struggled with the bat, only Bradley Boddie offering any kind of resistance as he put on 31 runs off 63 balls. But there was a complete lack of support for him, with Rishton’s next highest scorer Jack Hilton with just seven. They were all out for 62 after 25 overs with Matt Ramshead (3-10), Sean Benson (3-14) and Matt Aspinall (3-20) all claiming three wickets apiece.
Bacup made light work of the run chase, clinching the win in just 36 deliveries. Sub pro Usman Tariq struck seven fours on his way to an unbeaten 35 while felow opener Matt Thompson hit three fours and a six in his knock of 25 before falling to Thushendra de Zoysa with the score on 45.
The game at The Horsfield between Colne and Church was called off with the home side 95-8, Levi Wolfenden and Jack Gaskill both taking 3-27 for Church before the rains hit.