Six Cumbrian clubs competing in the NW Counties, West Lancashire and Wearside Leagues yesterday just managed a single point between them.
Cleator Moor Celtic drew 1-1 in a home game with Haslingden St Mary’s in the Premier Division of the West Lancashire League.
But on a dismal day, there were defeats for Holker Old Boys, Millom, Whitehaven, Milnthorpe Corinthians and Windscale.
After a scoreless first-half Zac Martin headed Celtic in front against the side in runners-up spopt, after 55 minutes.
But once again Celtic conceded an equaliser late in the game, this time on 85 minutes when Rico Gavan levelled.
Hear Gareth Agnew’s thoughts on the match below:
Whitehaven were beaten 5-1 at home by Burscough Richmond, who have just added to their squad with players released by Crewe and Macclesfield.
In contrast the home side had to sign an inexperienced goalkeeper and had one recognised defender in the starting line-up with two 17-year-olds among a partially filled bench.
It was 2-0 at half-time and 4-0 by the time Robbie Swinburn pulled one back for Whitehaven after 80 minutes. The visitors added their fifth a minute from the end.
Millom had been looking to bounce back after their 7-1 mauling last week but fell to a 4-0 home defeat against last year’s champions Tempest.
All the goals – Jordan Pendlebury (2) and Elliott Hailwood (2) – came in the first-half which effectively wrapped up the game for Tempest.
Millom shaped better in the second-half, but still without two or three regulars, they couldn’t break a strong Tempest defence.
Milnthorpe took the lead against last year’s runners-up CMB with a goal on eight minutes but an unfortunate own goal had the visitors level two minutes later.
It stayed that way until three minutes into the second half when CMB grabbed the lead, and they never looked back scoring three more goals.
In the NW Counties Division One North there was a last gasp defeat for Holker Old Boys.
Michael Howard came up with a 90th minute winner for Ashton Town, the only goal of a close contest.
In the Wearside League Windscale were beaten 2-0 at leaders Gateshead Leam Rangers.
