Leyland remain firmly in the title race despite surprise loss

That’s the view of coach David Makinson who watched his team lose at Balshaw Park by three wickets.

It was only Leyland’s third league defeat of the season and left them in second spot in the table, 34 points behind leaders Fleetwood.

Indeed only 15 points separate Leyland and Longridge who are down in seventh spot.

Such is Fleetwood’s dominance at the moment, it would appear Karl Cross’s men are in a battle to finish in runners-up spot but Makinson does not see it that way.

"Of course we still feel we have a chance,” he said. “There’s still 150 points to play for and Fleetwood are 34 points clear but we have got to play them again.

"But it’s not just us, if you look at us in second and the team in seventh, there’s not much between us all.

"If we lose two games, we could easily drop down to seventh in the table if other results go against us. It’s a good league this year and we have done well this year compared to last year, there’s no comparison in terms of our performances.”

A wet wicket contributed to the visitors’ sub-par total of 127 all out against Euxton and the home side’s professional Aneeq Hassan (52 not out) then carried his bat to seal victory.

"It was a big blow to lose last weekend,” Makinson added. “The wicket was very wet but it was the same for both teams.

"We didn’t really apply ourselves well enough when we were batting – we should have got another 25 or 30.

"We did okay bowling, they got too quick a start for our liking, they were 30 for none after about six overs but then we had them 90-5 and dropped their pro – a really easy catch – and so it should have been 90-6.

"Their pro played well. He started off erratically, playing some really big, expansive shots but when they lost a lot of wickets and realised it was down to him, he batted well and sensibly

"Apart from that one chance he gave when he was on about 30, that was a bit of a rash shot.

"But once we had dropped that, he calmed down again and batted really well to take them to victory.”

Makinson knows his Leyland side will have to be at their best to get anything from their trip to Stanley Park this weekend.

​The men from Fox Lane face a Blackpool side who have hit a rich vein of form, winning their past three encounters in league and cup.

They have been victorious five times out of their previous six completed league matches – the only blot on the copybook was defeat to league leaders Fleetwood last month.

They currently lie in fifth spot in the table – just nine points behind second-placed Leyland.

"They are always a tough side to play against, always competitive,” said Makinson.

"They are in decent form at the moment and have moved up the table.

"But if we get a good wicket and the weather stays fine then we should have a good chance.

"I think there is a really poor forecast in terms of the weather this weekend so we’ll just have to see.

"We will hope to get a game in.”

​Fixtures: Northern League – Blackpool v Leyland, Fleetwood v Fulwood & Broughton, Garstang v Chorley, Longridge v Netherfield, Mawdesley v Settle, St Annes v Euxton.

Palace Shield – Carnforth v Vernon Carus, Eccleston v Lancaster, Great Eccleston v Barrow, Penwortham v Rufford, Preston v Thornton Cleveleys, Torrisholme v Penrith.