DESPITE a dozen absentees, Turton chalked up their fourth league win, thanks to heroes at both ends of the pitch.

While Kieran Sisson grabbed both goals in the Tigers' 2-1 win, goalkeeper Josh McGreavey was in terrific form, with a penalty save among many he pulled off in a stunning outing to see his side to victory.

The result means, with 10 points from 12 at home, Turton are fifth in the West Lancashire League Premier Division and manager Neil Hart is eyeing an improvement on last term's ninth-place finish.

"I've been relatively pleased with the start we've made, we've been solid really," he told The Bolton News. "We had talked in pre-season about getting off to a good start and, while it could have been better – we dropped two points at home to Whitehaven when we had plenty of chances and we let ourselves down at Southport Hesketh – I'm happy with how we've started, especially on Saturday when we had six lads away on holidays, a few more out injured, one on an army training course and one suspended.

"We rode our luck a bit at times, but Josh kept us in the game, he pulled off some great saves, including a penalty and two stops when their lad was one-on-one with him. He was only beaten by a freak goal that came when a long clearance evaded everybody and their forward nipped in to finish well. Kieran played well too, getting our goals, including one penalty for us, and in midfield Sam Knowles and Steve Fitton put their hands up and stamped their authority on the game.

"With that number of players missing it's testament to our strength in depth and an excellent performance for us to come away with three points and the reserves, with a bare XI, to get a point in their game too."

Hart's biggest obstacle last term was the sheer number of changes to the starting XI he was forced into making each week. And, having recruited well in the summer, the manager is adamant such wholesale changes will not be the norm as he aims to be among the front-runners in the division and making progression in the cups.

"I've said all along the keyword this season is consistency," he added. "Last year was a nightmare in terms of our personnel and the changes I had to make every week, five or six each time. I didn't pick the same side for two games in a row all season, but if we can get a consistent side then we should get consistency in our play.

"It will be difficult to overtake the big-spending teams in the division but there's no reason why we can't at least be up there close behind them. We have been mindful that we were an easy touch at times but we've tried to change our size and presence and we're winning our physical battles as well now.

"I'm happy with the lads we've brought in, Sam (Knowles) and Jordan Whittle have been excellent, Curtis Monson at left-back and Sam Rigby, who was in Fylde's academy and hit three goals when we played Horwich recently.

"We've also got an attacking midfielder in Joe O'Keefe, who looked really good in two or three pre-season games but hasn't been able to play a competitive game yet because of a knee injury. When he comes back, probably towards the end of September, it will be a big boost because he looks a quality player."

Tempest United also tasted success on Saturday, as Tom Booth hit three goals in their 4-3 win at home to Haslingden St Mary's, Chris Farnworth also scoring.

There were also four goals including a hat-trick for Eagley as they maintained their perfect home record with a 4-0 win against Askam United. Player-manager Simon Whaley got the treble, with Jon Stephenson also netting.

CMB went one better, beating visitors Wyre Villa 5-0 with Ash Farlow grabbing three goals, backed up by strikes from Liam Carr and Dan Crook.

Stoneclough were also enjoying their victory as Sam Brooks and Jason Perry scored to give them a 2-1 win at home to Lostock St Gerard's.

In Division Two Ladybridge's 100 per cent record continued, and they did their goal difference – which alone is keeping them above Millom – a power of good, beating Thornton Cleveleys Reserves 9-2.