Last updated 15:33, Friday, 21 November 2008

TOUGH TACKLER: Defender John Staffieri had been turning in impressive performances for Dalton United of late

AMATEUR FOOTBALL

DALTON United are aiming to complete the double over Coppull United tomorrow.

A solitary Gareth Jones goal earned the Railway Meadow outfit a 1-0 win at Coppull in late August.

Now they hope to repeat that success when the Chorley-based side visit the ancient capital of Furness.

Dalton go into the clash in terrific form and are unbeaten in their last five West Lancashire League Premier Division games. They have taken 11 points from the last available 15.

Last weekend fourth-placed United showed great resilience to claw back a 3-0 half-time deficit and grab a share of the spoils at table-toppers Charnock Richard.

Jones started the fight-back from the penalty spot, before a Danny Leech header made it 3-2. In-form Jones then bagged the equaliser with six minutes to go.

Dalton joint-manager Jon Balm said: “I didn’t go over the top at half-time (against Charnock) because the lads had played very well.

“I told them to keep going and that the goals would come.

“Just like we did the week before when we came back to beat Eagley, we showed fantastic resilience and character.”

Balm and joint manager Tony Callister have no fresh injury concerns. The recent performances of centre-half Jon Staffieri have drawn high praise from Balm.

Elsewhere in the top echelon of the West Lancs League, Vickerstown got to second-placed Freckleton, who like Dalton are unbeaten in their last five.

Vickerstown, in their first season in the Premier Division, have drawn four of their last five league outings, including a 1-1 stalemate at home against Haslingden St Mary’s last Saturday, Dave Swarbrick equalising.

The former Barrow AFC man has now scored in each of Vickerstown’s last four games.

There is big local derby action in both Division One and Division Two.

At Devonshire Road, Millom and Crooklands Casuals lock horns, with the hosts enjoying their best run of form so far this season.

David Moore’s side have taken seven points from the last available nine after starting the campaign with just one point from a possible 18.

Last weekend Millom came from a goal down to bag a share of the points at Trimpell/Slyne, Steven Grieve with a second half penalty.

Casuals’ form is almost the opposite of Millom’s. Having started the season so strongly, the Longlands Park outfit have now lost their last two league games and, in between, gone out of the Lancashire Amateur Shield.

The Division Two derby sees Walney Island entertain Askam United.

l Swarthmoor SC go to Morecambe Hoops in the first round of the North Lancs League Premier Division Sam Price Memorial Cup tomorrow.

The Park Road outfit should have recorded their first win of the campaign last Saturday, but threw away a 3-0 lead to take only a point at home against Kirkby Lonsdale in the league.

Swarthmoor’s scorers before the wheels came off were Graham Wilcox (2) and Gavin Jolly.

Last weekend’s North Lancashire League results: Premier Division: Swarthmoor SC 3 Kirkby Lonsdale 3, Marsh United 3 Cartmel 1.

Westmorland County FA Junior Cup first round: Cartmel reserves 3 Coniston reserves 0.

Division Three: Grange Reserves 1 Bolton-Le-Sands Reserves 3.

l All Hawcoat Park’s football matches this weekend have been postponed out of respect for the Ellis family following the death of five-year-old Jake, the son of first-teamer Nick.

Both the West Lancashire League and Furness Premier League have agreed to the request from the club.

The club and the leagues wish to offer their deepest sympathy to the family at this sad time.