EAGLEY climbed to 11th place in the West Lancashire League Premier Division thanks to a 4-1 victory at home to Vickerstown on Saturday.

In a must-win game for the Eagles, who started the day just two points above their fellow strugglers, Simon Whaley’s outfit piled the pressure on their Cumbrian opponents straight from the kick-off. And the boss was delighted with the way his side picked themselves up following a 1-0 defeat at home to promotion-chasing Euxton Villa the previous weekend.

“Right through the team we defended well and I could not have asked for any more from the lads,” he said. “We had a lot of passion out there which was great to see.”

Eagley opened the scoring on seven minutes. Whaley’s corner resulted in a scramble in the Vickerstown goal area and a deflected shot allowed the hosts to take the lead.

The Eagles battled well through the sleet and got their reward after the ball fell to the feet of Joe O’Keefe on 25 minutes.

It looked like the onrushing forward had narrowed the angle too much for a shot – but he fired the ball hard and low at Vickerstown keeper Jordan Belcher, who could not keep it out.

The hosts seemed to be coasting to victory until keeper Billy Worthington was sent off for handling outside his area while diving at the feet of Danny Graham.

With no keeper on the bench, a quick reshuffle saw central defender and man-of-the-match Jack Horan don the gloves. His first job was to pick the ball out of the net following David Round’s curling free-kick into the top corner.

This spurred the visitors on. And had it not been for some heroic goalkeeping from Horan, Vickerstown may have got something out of the game.

However, the 10-man Eagles defended well with Simon Neary, Danny Vincent and youngster Finlay Coward at left-back all putting in excellent performances as the hosts led 2-1 at the break.

O’Keefe scored his second goal of the game when he netted on the hour mark following a miskick by Belcher.

And when O’Keefe was bundled over by Belcher late on following a mazy run into the visitors’ area, Vickerstown’s keeper was also shown the red card. Whaley made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Manager Phil Roberts was left to rue CMB’s lack of match action as they lost ground on top spot in Division Two with a 3-2 defeat at league leaders Kendal County.

With six regular first-team players missing, CMB were made to pay for not taking their early chances when Kendal scored twice from set-pieces, Nathan Dixon and an unfortunate opponent netting. Following changes due to an injury to debutant Paul Bridge, CMB started the second half the stronger team and pulled back a goal through Matty Carr.

However, a long ball caught out the back four and Kendal forward Broody Wallave-Moffatt nipped to score their third goal of the game, this on 67 minutes.

CMB set up a tense finish when Danny Tyrer scored with five minutes remaining – but they were unable to find an equaliser.

Roberts said: “It was not the prettiest of games on an awful pitch and neither team really deserved to lose. We need a run of games to get the momentum going again because all this stopping and starting is doing us no good.”

Fifth-placed Bolton County were beaten 3-1 at Furness Rovers.

Alex Todd gave County the perfect start, opening the scoring on 25 minutes, but Joe Tindale equalised 10 minutes later.

Scott Goulding’s goal on 80 minutes turned the game in Rovers’ favour. And an own goal sealed County’s fate with five minutes remaining.

Losers’ boss Mark Ormrod said: “The 3-1 scoreline flattered Furness. The pitch was excellent and in really good condition but there was a gale blowing.

“They had a strategy that worked in the conditions – take a touch and get rid.

“We tried to play the ball through the middle and play fancy football in conditions that were not made for it.”

In Division One, Turton, Tempest United and Ladybridge were unable to capitalise on leaders’ Burscough Richmond’s 1-0 defeat at sixth-placed Poulton as their games were postponed.