FIFTY goals in a career might be seen an a fine total by some footballers. Scoring 100, even 200 is often a dream in the far distance.

Last weekend, Dalton United's Gareth Jones scored his 350th West Lancashire League goal, all for the same club. Fifty in a career? He once did that in a season.

The 36-year-old has been a stalwart at Railway Meadow for close to two decades, with a broken neck in 2009 not enough to stop his striking feats.

Goal-scoring records have been his forte in that time – he once scored 50 goals in a single season – and his 82nd-minute strike against Ladybridge in West Lancs Division One last week was just the latest in more than 400 for United.

They have come in the league and in numerous cup competitions – though he will miss the chance to add to his Lancashire Shield tally when United head to Stoneclough tomorrow.

A player who started out in the Furness Premier League with Askam United, and who had spells in semi-professional football with Barrow AFC, knows there may not be many years left on the goals trail, but hopes he can keep on firing them in for a little while yet.

“It's a good achievement to reach 350 league goals – but on Saturday it was more important to get the win,” said Jones of what was only a second victory of the season for third-bottom United.

“They're all good goals when they go in as a striker. One that sticks out was when I scored 50 goals in a season back when I was about 21.

“I can't see there being many more seasons, but I'll give it a go for as long as I can. I'm finding it hard at the minute – I'm getting frustrated that I am missing chances that a few years ago I would have been scoring.

“I'll keep going as long as my body is capable and until other young lads come up through the ranks and are capable of taking my spot.

Jones hopes the side can with without him at Stoneclough an build on last weekend's success, and said: “It has been a struggle for the team this year as well. We've been playing okay, but we've not had the luck, and sometimes when you're down there it does against you. We've had plenty of chances, but we're getting better, and it was a massive win on Saturday, which can hopefully get us going on the right track.”

“It should be winnable at Stoneclough. We should be going with confidence to try and win most of our games. Hopefully the lads can get a good result and get us through to the next round.”

While Jones misses out on Dalton's trip to divisional rivals Stoneclough tomorrow, there will be other South Cumbrian teams out on the field looking to advance in the Shield.

Askam United host Furness Cavaliers in a Division One against Division Two encounter on Duddon Road.

Both have had steady starts to the season, with Askam sixth and Cavaliers fifth in their respective tables after almost two months of action.

Vickerstown welcome Lytham Town to Park Vale, and GSK Ulverston Rangers are the other local outfit at home, entertaining Wythenshaw Amateurs.

Walney Island face a tough task as the West Lancs Division Two side go to Premier Division high fliers Blackpool Wren Rovers.

Fresh from their FA Vase success last weekend, Holker Old Boys return to North West Counties Division One action tomorrow, when they host Cheadle Town at Rakesmoor Lane.

The Stags beat Birtley Town 4-2 to reach the first round proper of the Vase, where they will host Stockton Town on October 22.