Match of the week: Lytham Juniors U14 v Blackpool Rangers

In a match played at Common Edge on another weekend ravaged by the rain, the higher-division team scored four goals in the first half and five more in the second, restricting Lytham to very few chances.

It was certainly an impressive display by a Rangers side who had not played since November 22 and have managed only six league games all season.

As usual, the wind was a factor at Common Edge, and Rangers capitalised on having the elements in their favour in the first half with some wind-assisted strikes.

Free-scoring striker Latham actually had a quiet first half but was unstoppable in the second, while the other scorers for Rangers were Shaun Collins, Bronson Boyd, Jake Short and Luca Hardman.

Having blown the cobwebs away, Rangers hope to start playing more regularly again.

Manager Gary Pangburn said: “We hadn’t played in so long it was like starting the season all over again.”

After restricting Rangers to four in the first half, Lytham manager Glenn Gould thought his side still had a chance with the wind in their favour after the restart, though it wasn’t to be. He said: “At the end of the day the better team won through and we only managed one or two chances. But I’ve had a conference with my chairman and I’m still in a job.”