WINDERMERE moved top of North League Division Two West after victory in their top-of-the-table clash with Brooklands thirds.

The sides went into the fixture level on points, each with two wins from their opening two games, but it was Mere who came out on top 2-1.

The Manchester side played their part in an entertaining and fiercely competitive game, as both teams pushed for victory.

The match ended spectacularly, with Mark Hutchinson making a diving save in front of his top-right corner to secure the points.

Will Dolman and Harry Jackson scored for Mere, and Isaac Ravenhill celebrated his first league game for the team with a great performance.

Mere gave every ounce of energy and effort to achieve their third win from three and are now looking to push on at Alderley Edge seconds in Cheshire on Saturday, in what promises to be another testing encounter.

Victory over Brooklands followed an 8-3 success on Wirral against West Derby, when drag-flick specialist Dolman scored four goals from penalty corners. Harry Jackson bagged two and youngsters Jake Sorrenson and Ollie Thomas one apiece.

Windermere Ladies came close to upsetting Lancashire Central Premier Division leaders Pendle seconds.

Frustrated by missing a game because of a flooded pitch last week, Mere matched Pendle’s physicality with pace and skill and were level 2-2 at half-time, with goals by Rosie Musetti and Hannah Clark.

However, two Pendle goals in five minutes gave them the advantage until Musetti scored her second and Mere hit a post in a narrow 4-3 defeat.

Goalkeeper Millie Hine and her defenders were on fine form in an encouraging all-round team performance, but the players’ player-of-the-match vote went to two-goal Musetti.

A debut goal from Will Ganniclifft came too late to revive Windermere men's seconds, as they lost 4-1 away to Leyland and Chorley seconds in North West League Division Five.

A three-goal salvo gave the home side a comfortable half-time lead, and try as they might, a much-changed Mere side could not close the gap, despite Ganniclifft’s reverse-stick strike and man-of-the-match Jamie Hill’s tireless efforts in midfield.