A TASTE of revenge was sweet for Rob Pennington, after his CMB side beat Stoneclough 2-1 at Brook Street.

CMB had been beaten in the previous meeting, a game manager Pennington feels they should have taken a point from but, with Dan Crook’s penalty and a winner from Paul Hallows – who was fouled for the earlier spot-kick – they chalked up a victory that puts them fifth in the West Lancashire League Division One table, behind Eagley on goal difference.

“I must admit, it was nice to avenge that defeat from earlier in the season,” Pennington said. “Neither side played particularly well and it wasn’t the best game to watch but it was important for us after we lost a game where we felt a draw would have been fair.

“We were wasteful and should have had a few more so the last 20 minutes when they were on top was a bit nervy. Fortunately our captain Will Archer played very well and we have Danny Lever in goal. He’s an ex-EvoStik player and he’s something else. He made a great save from a free kick in the 89th minute, one of those shots where you think it’s in as soon as it’s hit.

“When you have someone like that in goal you never feel like you’re in trouble. I believe our back five is the best in the league.”

The Chew Moor side have been hampered with a number of injuries this season, and went into Saturday without their leading scorers, Liam Carr and Matty Chapman.

But now he is getting players back, the CMB boss is backing his side to put some results together, starting with Saturday’s Lancashire FA Shield tie at home to Ladybridge.

“We’re looking strong and if we get the likes of Liam, Matty and [former Bury centre-back] Danny Swailes back we’ll be doing okay,” he said.

“Tom Healey is a young kid but a very good player who’s looked good in his short time in the team and Jack Turner has come up from the seconds and done well, scoring on his debut last week.

“Jamie Hilton will be back soon, and Ben Thornton, who dislocated his shoulder, is only a few weeks off.

“We’re slowly getting the band back together, we’ve got good momentum, the team spirit’s strong and there’s a good vibe about the place.”

Elsewhere, Eagley lost 1-0 at Lytham Town while Ladybridge were 3-2 victors at home to Lostock St Gerards Reserves.

In the Premier Division there were 4-3 home defeats for Turton and Tempest United.

The Tigers were defeated by Hesketh Bank, despite goals by Kieron Sisson, Sam Knowles and Ally Dickson, while Tempest’s goals in their loss to Fulwood Amateurs were scored by Nathan Monson (two) and Chris Farnworth.