TURTON manager Craig Jones was delighted with his team’s commitment and passion as they comfortably beat CMB 3-0 away from home in a local derby.

The West Lancashire League Premier Division clash was a scrappy affair due to the state of the pitch and both managers agreed the conditions prohibited the sides’ ability to play fluent football.

And Jones believes it was the determination and desire from his side that led to the derby success, as well scoring at crucial times during the game.

“I think we had more bite, a bit more passion than them,” he said.

“More importantly, I think we scored at crucial times.

“We had a couple of opportunities before we actually scored that we should have done better with.”

Both sides created early chances with CMB striker Ben Thornton missing a one-on-one, but it was Turton who broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.

Dylan Winstanley had a shot from a tight angle that somehow found its way into the back of the net.

The Tigers then doubled their lead through Sam Rigby in the 25th minute as he scored with a shot from the edge of the box to send Turton into the half-time break two goals ahead.

Despite a 2-0 lead at half time, Jones revealed he wasn’t entirely pleased with his side’s performance in the first half as they offered too much space in midfield.

“I had a chat with the lads at half time and told them they need to squeeze higher in that area and eliminate those spaces,” he said.

“The third goal was crucial in the game, if they get it, they are back in the game and if we score, then it’s probably done.”

The Tigers reacted to their manager’s team talk and put the game out of the reach of CMB when Winstanley grabbed his second goal with a great header. CMB could not break down the Turton defence and fell to a 3-0 defeat.

Winstanley’s recent performances have given his manager food for thought after being moved to left back when Jones arrived at the club.

“Before I came to the club, he played as a striker on the left side of a front three and I moved him to left back,” said Jones. “He’s been chomping at the bit to get further up the pitch. I played him in the front three against Hurst Green and he scored, and I put him in the front three again and he’s scored two.

“I like players that are versatile and that can play in different positions and he can certainly do that.”

CMB manager Rob Pennington believes his side didn’t stick to their game plan and that Turton were well worthy of the three points.

“I don’t think either side particularly played well, and I think Craig will agree with that. I think they played to their strengths and they were deserving victors,” he said.

“Personally, what we did well last week was winning the second ball and we didn’t do that against Turton.

“We were outworked in midfield so that will be addressed with personnel changes and in training to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Turton’s victory leaves them ninth in the table, ahead of hosting Burscough Richmond this Saturday. CMB are one place below The Tigers and make the short trip to Tempest United for another local derby.

Consistency key for Atherton LR

ATHERTON LR manager Mark Robinson has called on his players to show more consistency in the North West Counties League after they were beaten 4-1 at AFC Liverpool.

The loss leaves LR third-bottom in the First Division North table but Robinson, who took over from Dave Jones in October, feels an upturn in results is not far away.

“With a bit more consistency in what we do, we’ll start getting some results,” he said. “We’re not a million miles off, we’ve just got to keep the belief that we’re going in the right direction. We’re getting there, we know that. Yes, the results are going against us but to get the results in the medium and long-term we’ve got to keep doing the right things in the meantime and for vast parts of the game we did that.

“We matched AFC Liverpool in terms of performance, we played some good, composed football and at half time there was little between the teams.

“An individual mistake led to a second AFC Liverpool goal within two minutes of the restart but we fought hard to get back into the game and scored a great well-worked goal, only for us to concede again within a couple of minutes following another individual error.

“Overall our performances have been good, we are progressing and when we eradicate some of the small mistakes, results will improve.”

Meanwhile, LR’s neighbours Daisy Hill had a day to forget, with a nightmare trip north to Holker Old Boys compounded by them suffering an 8-0 thrashing by their hosts.

And, after they slipped two places to seventh in the table, manager Brian Hart admits it was not a day anyone connected with the Daisies will look back on with fondness.

“What a day to go to Holker,” he said. “Nightmare journey with the M6 closed and a nightmare performance. It’s best consigned to the past.

“Usually, it’s an odd couple that have an off day but today we had 11 below par. All credit to Holker, they showed no mercy and took our gifts gladly.

“At the end of the day, it’s three points lost so we’ll lick our wounds, regroup and move on to Steeton.”

Little Lever on the climb

Little Lever climbed two places in the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division following their 4-2 win at home to Burnley Belvedere.

Jack Coop struck twice for Little Lever, with Josh Hill and Jacob Huller also on target at Mytham Road.

Victory lifted Little Lever to ninth in the table ahead of their trip to Valley United – who sit behind them on goal difference – this weekend.

Premier Division table-toppers Old Boltonians saw their lead at the summit cut to one point after their game at Whitworth Valley was rained off, nearest challengers Failsworth Dynamos beating Old Blackburnians to move within a point of Old Bolts.

Thornleigh’s struggles continued with a 4-2 loss at Old Mancunians, and they are now 10 points adrift of second-bottom Rochdale St Clements.

Elsewhere, Bolton Wyresdale played out a 0-0 draw at Mostonians.

In Division One, there were defeats for Horwich RMI, who lost 3-1 at Old Blackburnians reserves, and Blackrod Town, beaten 3-2 by their guests, St Clements’ reserves.In the Manchester League Premier Division, Carl Airey’s brace was enough for Bolton County to beat Heywood St James 2-0 to climb a place to fourth.

Atherton Town won the battle at the top of Division One. Their 2-1 win at previous leaders Boothstown saw them move from third into top spot in the table, with Adam Griffiths and Calam Williamson the men on target.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club suffered a 3-2 loss at home to Govan Athletic, as goals by Elliot France and Daniel Whitaker were not enough to avoid defeat.

Bolton United are five points clear at the top of Division Two, following their 3-0 win at home to Wythenshawe reserves, with Abu Kamara scoring twice and Shakil Abdullah hitting the other goal.

At the other end of the table, bottom side Breightmet United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Hollinwood and second-bottom Astley and Tyldesley lost 3-2 at home to Rochdale Sacred Heart reserves, despite goals from Alexander Cheetham and Tom Roberts.