Last updated at 11:59, Wednesday, 07 May 2008

FURNESS PREMIER LEAGUE

BAE Barrow Sports Club reserves are the new champions of the Furness Premier League.

It’s the first time BAE – or Vickers SC as they were previously known – have won the title since the league’s formation in 1980/81.

The Hawcoat Park second-string were presented with the Rifleman’s Garage Premier Division trophy following their final league game of the season at 2006/07 champions Vickerstown reserves last night, the result of which didn’t matter after nearest title challengers Millom reserves lost 3-1 at Barrow Island on Saturday.

That defeat for Millom automatically handed BAE the crown.

BAE beat Vickerstown 3-1. The home side took the lead through Ben Round, but Josh Caine equalised with 20 minutes to go. Darren Greig put them ahead, with Conor Erdis securing the victory.

Island’s surprise 3-1 win over Millom was achieved despite the home team playing most of the game with only 10 men after Jason Abbingdon was sent off. Island’s scorers were Chris Starkie, Phil Kyle and Tony Miller, with Neil Shaw replying for the league runners-up.

At the other end of the table there are still three teams scrambling to avoid finishing second from bottom and suffering possible relegation alongside GSK Ulverston Rangers reserves.

Barrow Celtic gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a 5-2 win over fellow relegation candidates Crooklands Casuals reserves.

Liam Holmes (2) Mike McGoldrick (2) and Mike McParland scored for Celtic, with Terry Anderson and Ben Harvey on target for Crooklands.

Last night Furness Athletic gave themselves a chance of avoiding the bottom two by beating Furness Rovers reserves 7-3 at Cavendish Park.

Scorers for Athletic were Tommy Managh (2), Mark Cummings (2), James McGoldrick, Mark Harvey and Brad Palfreyman.

They now have to wait on the outcome of the final matches involving Crooklands Casuals, who are away to Millom and Celtic, who host Bootle.

Holker Old Boys reserves ensured their top-flight survival after a 2-2 draw with Askam United reserves at Rakesmoor Lane on Saturday.

Holker scored through Dale Cleece and Glyn Dixon (direct from a corner), with Askam’s goals coming from Ryan Brown and Craig Muncaster.

Walney Island visited GSK Ulverston Rangers reserves and left with the three points from a 2-1 win. James Burns scored both of Walney’s goals, with Grant Athersmith on the mark for Rangers.

Bootle beat Vickerstown reserves 2-1 at Millholme thanks to an own goal and a rare goal from Tom Brockbank. Liam McNulty replied for the visitors.

Haverigg United came away from the Training Pitch with a 1-0 win over Furness Rovers reserves.

In Division One, Furness Cavaliers reserves beat Haverigg United reserves 2-0 to finish the season with an unbeaten league record of 20 wins and four draws.

Player/manager Mark McGladdery and Scott Linklater were the scorers.

Runners-up Kirkby United won 4-2 at Walney Island A thanks to a Dave Regan hat-trick and one from Scott Watkinson.

Dalton United A hauled themselves off the bottom of the table with a 2-0 win over Millom A, the goals coming from Fraser Shand and Gareth Burns.

Vickerstown A beat BAE Barrow SC A 2-1, with Paul Deelay and Lee Turner on target, Graham Clarke replying for BAE. Furness Seniors and Walney Island reserves drew 2-2, with John Dawes and Dave Maginn (pen) scoring for Seniors. Teenage debutant Danny Turner scored both goals for Walney.

Saturday’s results: Premier Division: Barrow Celtic 5 Crooklands Casuals res 2, Barrow Island 3 Millom res 1, Bootle 2 Vickerstown res 1, Furness Rovers 0 Haverigg United 1, GSK Ulverston Rangers 1 Walney Island 2, Holker 2 Askam 2.

Division One: Dalton United A 2 Millom A 2, Furness Cavaliers res 2 Haverigg United res 0, Furness Seniors 2 Walney Island 2, Vickerstown A 2 BAE Barrow SC A 1, Walney Island A 2 Kirkby United 4.

Last night’s results: Premier Division: Furness Athletic 7 Furness Rovers 3, Vickerstown 1 BAE Barrow 3.

l The two Furness Junior Cup semi-finals take place in midweek.

Millom reserves play Furness Seniors at Kirkby tonight, with Vickerstown reserves and Askam United reserves meeting at Glaxo tomorrow (both 6pm).

l The Horne Cup semi-finals will take place this Saturday.

Furness Rovers A entertain Millom A, while Cavs reserves host Furness Seniors.

The final will be played on Thursday, May 1 on the Training Pitch (6.15pm kick-off).

l Swarthmoor SC ended Carnforth Rangers’ hopes of winning the North Lancs Premier Division title by beating the Lancashire outfit 3-1 at Park Road on Saturday.

Shane Birkett gave the home side a 1-0 lead, but Rangers levelled before half-time.

Graham Wilcox put Swarthmoor back in front in the second half, Jamie Donald adding a third.

Grange secured their place in Division One for next season with a 2-1 victory at Slyne-Hest A. Will Anderson and Michael Purves scored for Grange.

Other North Lancs results from Saturday: Division One: Cartmel res 2 Morecambe Royals res 1. Division Two: Swarthmoor res 1 Bowerham 3.

Last night’s results: Division One: Morecambe Hoops 4 Grange 0. Division Two: Swarthmoor SC res 1 Highgrove res 2.

First published at 11:57, Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk