SEVEN goals, a clean sheet and safe passage to the next round of the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield would make many a manager happy.

Or so one may think. Not so Rob Pennington, who felt his CMB side were way short of the scoreline they should have put up in thrashing West Lancashire League Division Two side Furness Cavaliers.

Hosting the strugglers from the division below, CMB led by just Dan Crook’s penalty at the break.

And, although they banged in a further six goals in the second period manager Pennington felt somewhat short-changed ahead of what is a much more trying assignment this Saturday.

“I honestly feel we should have got 15 goals,” he said. “It was one of those days where we hit the woodwork three times before half time, I wasn’t satisfied with seven. We wasted a lot of chances and I don’t remember them having a shot.

“They’re really struggling in the second division and it wasn’t the best preparation for us for this weekend, when we play Milnthorpe Corinthians, who I think will be the team to beat in Division One.”

Liam Carr proved the difference in the second half on Saturday, as he scored twice, set up two more goals and won a free kick from which another goal came. All of which came after he had been the player fouled for Crook’s first-half penalty.

Callum Yeardsley (two), Ash Farlow and Colin Brooks also got on the scoresheet and, after relying on two – now departed – players for the vast majority of their goals last season, CMB are now sharing the responsibility around the team.

“Michael McGinlay and Matty Carr have left now and they got probably 90 per cent of our goals last year,” said Pennington. “I’m pleased with how we have started the season but especially that the goals are coming from all over the team – our right-back’s got three already.

“I think this is the strongest CMB team for a few years, I’m really pleased with how we’ve started the season and we’re still hoping to make some quality additions.

“We still have Ben Thornton (dislocated shoulder) and Scott McNair (cruciate ligament) to come back too, hopefully Ben will be playing again around January and Scott maybe in March. But everyone has been performing, we’ve got five or six strikers going for two places up front now and they’ve all raised their game by 10 to 20 per cent. They’re keen to come and train and want to improve themselves each week.”

Making their exit from the competition on Saturday was Premier Division side Turton, who lost 4-2 to Leigh Athletic. CMB’s Division One rivals Stoneclough were defeated 4-2 at home to Poulton. Tempest United progressed though, beating Lytham Town 2-1.

Simon Whaley’s hat-trick was enough for his Eagley team to beat Fulwood Ams reserves 3-1 in Division One but Ladybridge lost their Division Two game 5-3 to Leyland.

In the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup, holders Old Boltonians saw off Newman College 2-1, the goals coming from Sean Rushton and Rob Taylor. Blackrod Town also went through after beating Rishton United 3-2.

Horwich St Mary’s Victoria needed a penalty shoot-out to get past Accrington Amateurs after a 1-1 draw, but Little Lever were knocked out with a 2-1 defeat in their first-round tie at Hurlston Hall.

Bolton County suffered a 5-1 defeat at Manchester League Premier Division leaders Avro while Breightmet United were beaten 2-0 by hosts Tintwistle Athletic in the Murray Trophy.