Lytham St Annes 4 Neston 1

LYTHAM St Annes picked up a much needed three points to give them breathing space from the drop zone with this win.

The side included the return of Simon Middlemass back from injury and he added the balance the team has been missing for a number of weeks.

Within ten minutes Lytham were 1-0 up from a quick break.

Dave Robbins stole the ball from a Neston attack and delivered an inch perfect pass to Chris Simcock who bravely chipped the ball over the keeper for Tom Atkinson to slot the ball home.

Lytham's third was nicely finished from Simcock at close range after more pressure around the Neston goal.

A penalty stroke was awarded and Robbins sent the keeper the wrong way, placing the ball high into the right hand corner.

Neston got a late consolation after a well worked break. Lytham will hope Middlemass has no reaction to his injury from the game and that the in-form Tom Atkinson are available to provide the balance their side needs if they are going to take another three points against Durham University on Saturday.

Lytham 3rd XI drew 1-1 with Alderley Edge 1 while LSA 4th XI went down to a 3-2 at Bebbington.

Lytham 5th XI were also beaten 3-2 by Liverpool Sefton 3rd XI.

Lytham 2nd XI 2 St Helens 6

Once again this troubled LSA side, who seem to please only to deceive, let themselves down by conceding too many sloppy goals to give them a chance. Defensive uncertainty following a penalty corner saw them go 1-0 down but they equalised soon after through some good play from Chris Hadley, Charlie Batho and Gareth Gettings, Hadley striking the ball home.

Although conceding another goal before the break LSA had periods of domination with several chances to score. It was not to be though, and St Helens ran in three more goals before Graham Shaw scored from close range.