Non-league round-up (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Non-league round-up

8:06am Monday 23rd July 2012 in Sport

Colne produced another promising performance as they beat last season’s North West Counties League Champions Ramsbottom United 3-2 at the XLCR Stadium thanks to a hat-trick from substitute Micky Saunders.

In a lively opening, it was the visitors who took the lead after 25 minutes when Jon Robinson caught Reds keeper Chris Thompson by surprise with a shot on the turn that dipped under the crossbar.

Saunders, on a replacement for Paddy O’Brien on the half hour mark, drew Colne level a minute after the restart when he popped up in the Ramsbottom goalmouth to turn Ashley Carter’s shot into the net for the Reds equaliser.

Colne took the initiative and after Mark Coyne forced a good save from the keeper Saunders was put through by a superb diagonal ball and beat the keeper with a cool finish to give the Reds a 2-1 lead on 53 minutes.

And after a period of pressure on the visitors’ goal on 65 minutes, Saunders was tripped in the area and he stepped up to fire home the spot kick to give the Reds a 3-1 lead and complete his impressive hat-trick.

Ramsbottom came back strongly and Martin Cosgrove saw his shot deflected wide off Bobby Harris’ feet before the keeper turned Mike Ayres’ header over.

But the next cross into the box was handled by a Reds defender, giving the Rams a penalty. Mark Drew converted the spot kick to pull the score back to 3-2 after 76 minutes but Colne hung on.

Chorley drew 0-0 at AFC Blackpool, while Clitheroe drew 2-2 with Runcorn Linnets in their second pre-season game.

Danny Bell gave the Blues the lead which was doubled by Alex Johnson. Runcorn pulled on back midway through the second half and drew level late on.