more cucumber help please

Sorry i am being really thick, on the cuc stuff.  Have read all your info, mine are one female only (ridge) and one which is male and f.male flowers.  they together in one growbag in the greenhouse with a yellow
courgette plant.  I pinches out the top of the M/F plant at about 40 inches H.  still having trouble with telling flowers apart so have been letting them
grow to see a small cuc, then pinching out the ohers.  the litle cucs about
1 inch long appear to be very prickly in appearance is that normal.  i am
feeding tom-rite 2xweekly and watering am and pm.  don't really get the
bit about cutting out the laterals so shall do as A. Sally says and leave them.  Should I pinch out Ridge plant as well.  The yellow courgettes are
hopeless.  Little babies then going mouldy at about 2 inches.   Please help me or it might all go on compost!  PS. have never done cucs before (thats my best excuse)  Mrs Bouquet