THORNLEIGH may be going great guns at present, but they will not thank you for sitting up and taking notice.

They are still in mid-table in the Premier Division but, after their fourth straight win, in Saturday’s derby at Little Lever, Thornleigh are one of the division’s in-for teams.

Manager Aaron McCarthy is understandably pleased with their recent successes but admits they are missing an out-and-out goal-getter who would push the team further. Midfielder-turned striker Gareth Colquitt is filling in admirably, however, and he hit his first brace for the club as they ran out 2-1 winners at Little Lever.

“We lost a few players in the summer, mainly to clubs in this area” he said. “The nature of our club means we have to have season subscriptions as well as paying to play, so I do understand why lads would make the move.

“It doesn’t make it any easier for us but we’re going well, we’ve got four wins in a row and Saturday’s was a very decent one against Little Lever. I knew they were coming into it with a few lads missing so we felt it was a good opportunity to get the three points.

“We changed the shape a bit, we went from 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3 with a lot of pace in the front three so we looked to get in behind them that way, and we did, time after time. Gaz is enjoying it since we moved him up front. He got two good goals and we were 2-0 up at half time – it should probably have been three or four.

“We knew Little Lever would come at us hard in the second half and, credit to them, they pulled one back to make it what I’d say was a ‘nervously interesting’ second half. We held on and I think we deserved the win.”

After leaving the village with the points Thornleigh sit eighth ahead of hosting Mostonians this Saturday.

And McCarthy knows if they make a statement of intent against the reigning champions it may make other teams sit up and take notice.

“We’ve been staying under the radar a bit, I think, but that was our fourth win in a row,” he added. “So, while we’re quietly going about our business, if we win on Saturday people might start to have a look at us and think ‘they’re decent’.

“We have taken a few big scalps already this season, which isn’t easy. There aren’t any easy games in the division – last year there were some where you could nick 1-0 wins without being at your best. That doesn’t happen now. If you’re not at your best, you get beat.

“I just want to keep this run going, keep the momentum going, and see where it takes us.”

Elsewhere, Blackrod Town were also victorious on Saturday, returning home from Mostonians after a 4-3 away win.

Old Boltonians were less fortunate on their travels, going down 4-2 at league leaders Whitworth Valley.

Bolton Wyresdale still lead the way in Division One, after a 3-1 win at Valley United.

n In the Manchester League Breightmet United’s trying campaign continued with a 10-1 defeat at home to Manchester Gregorians Reserves.

Premier Division side Bolton County were knocked out of the Lancashire FA Shield with a 3-0 defeat at West Lancs League leaders Thornton Cleveleys.

There was also a knockout blow for Atherton Collieries, who lost their FA Trophy replay at home to Marske United on Monday night.

Following Saturday’s 3-3 draw Colls lost to Craig Gott’s penalty in a 1-0 defeat.