LADYBRIDGE made up for the fact that only two games featuring our local sides survived the weather on Saturday by hitting seven goals past Leyland United without reply.

With only one other match played in Division Two, featuring two teams in the bottom half, the league leaders took full advantage to open up an eight-point lead at the top.

Tempest United also made hay while the sun did not shine to move up to eighth in the Division One table with a 2-0 win at GSK Ulverston Rangers.

Managers of both our local teams to get matches on were clearly happy with their day's work.

Ladybridge boss Dave Walker described the performance of his side, who have won all nine of their home matches this season, as "exceptional".

"Leyland are a decent side and today we tore them to pieces with some of our football," he added.

"Individually and collectively we were superior."

Walker admitted he went into the game expecting the toughest test of the season so far against the third-placed outfit, but after taking the lead in the third minute Ladybridge never looked back.

Gary Whiteside set up the opener, driving at the Leyland defence from midfield before playing a square ball to Sam Parkinson, who slid the ball into the corner from the edge of the box.

Alex Smith made it 2-0 with only 10 minutes gone, finishing off a great run with a lob over the onrushing keeper.

Elliot Waugh was foiled by the visiting stopper after being sent clean through.

But Smith slotted home a third goal after 20 minutes to effectively put the result beyond doubt with less than a quarter of the game played.

A rampant Ladybridge missed opportunities to continue the rout as Harry Brazel smashed a shot over the bar and Sam Parkinson hit the woodwork from the spot after the striker himself earned a penalty following a dangerous run into the box.

Parkinson stepped back from penalty duties after again being hauled down in the area, and Jordan Coop showed him how it is done to convert the spot-kick for Ladybridge's overdue fourth goal.

Coop did hit the bar with a free-kick though, while Whiteside also hit the woodwork with the follow-up before Brazel put the ball away at the third time of asking to give the home side a 5-0 lead at half time.

The scoring slowed after the break, but Waugh showed great skill out on the left to beat his man then pass the ball into the bottom corner for a sixth goal.

And Matty Woods found the run of Scott Adamson with a pinpoint ball that he eventually slotted home at the second attempt.

"The Leyland keeper actually had a good game and kept the scoreline down in what was a superb performance from us," added Walker.

"It was a big result in more ways than one, to beating off one of our rivals."

Tempest left it late to record their victory, scoring the only two goals of their game in the final five minutes.

Manager Gary Westhead dedicated the win to second-half substitute Danny Ashcroft, who set up Liam Stewart for an 85th-minute opener before firing a second goal into the the roof of the net in stoppage time.

"I am really pleased for Danny," said Westhead.

"He has been injured since our last friendly (before the start of the season) and has only just got himself back fit.

"He was flying in pre season before injuring his knee/

"I brought Danny on with 20 minutes left and he added that extra bit of quality to our forward play. He could of had a hat trick in his first 10 minutes on the pitch."

Tempest made the better start in testing conditions.

Pete Lancaster had an acrobatic volley cleared off the line in the 15th minute after a great ball in from Simon Ashcroft, then Ryan Keegan shot over the bar five minutes later following great hold up play from Stewart.

The home side then came back into the match and Tempest did well to ride out the storm up to half time.

The visitors then bossed the second half, although keeper Matty Jackson was forced into a good save on the hour to keep it at 0-0.

Ashcroft then took centre stage, creating his first opening with 15 minutes to play, jinking through the heart of the Ulverston defence before testing the keeper.

After intercepting a poor ball out of defence by their full-back he then raced clear before shooting narrowly wide.

With five minutes to play, Ashcroft went down the left, cut inside the full-back and whipped a great ball across for Stewart to head home his 15th goal of the season.

Stewart was then denied by a world class save before Ashcroft sealed the points with a deft finish.

Westhead added: "It was a tough game as they had just got a new manager and were out to impress.

"They really came at us first half, but we defended well as a team and thoroughly deserved our win.

"The lads showed great attitude throughout the game and it made for a great journey home on the coach.

"We have got a run of five games at home now, so hopefully we can pick up big points and push further up the table."