REIGNING Riflemans Garage Furness Premier Division champions Barrow Celtic only had themselves to blame as they fell to their first defeat of the season.

The Hoops went down against Furness Cavaliers reserves at Newby Terrace on Saturday.

Celtic’s defence of the title had got off to a perfect start with two wins and two clean sheets, but that ended with a 2-0 defeat to a Cavaliers side who did not play their best but did enough to secure the points.

The hosts wasted several good chances as Cavaliers started hesitantly, with Ryan Barker and Josh Greenwood causing lots of problems in the opening 15 minutes.

In a rare Cavaliers’ counter attack, Mike Browne forced a great save from James Sloan, but that warning was not heeded and in the 18th minute Rob Sneesby put them ahead.

Celtic were still on top but their task was made even harder by the sending off of Danny Mackay for foul and abusive language towards referee Darren Gardner.

The Hoops were close to an equaliser when Barker saw his effort saved by Kieran Roberts and Steve Critchley was on hand to clear off the line so it remained 1-0 at half-time.

In the second half, Celtic’s 10 men worked hard to try and find a leveller, with Cavaliers content to defend and hit them on the break, but too often they fell into the offside trap.

The match was finally killed off with 10 minutes left when Aaron Holligan stabbed the ball home after his first effort had been well saved by Sloan.

On a tricky surface and in hot conditions, Rob Sneesby had an excellent game for Cavaliers and Celtic’s Craig Woodburn stood out for them.

GSK Ulverston Rangers reserves are the only side with a 100 per cent record after they won 2-0 at Bootle.

Reis Sharp opened the scoring and Tom Heywood scored the second from inside his own half.

Vickerstown reserves remain unbeaten as they won 3-0 at Britannia thanks to a brace from Scott McDonald and a Dave Adams penalty.

Haverigg United ended Hawcoat Park’s good start with a 2-1 win at Wilson Park to move on to four points from two games.

John Chmiel and David Foster scored for Haverigg, with Lewis Turner replying for Hawcoat.

Swarthmoor Social reserves gained their first Premier Division win by coming from behind against Furness Rovers reserves to triumph 2-1.

Kier Gibbons opened the scoring for Rovers, but Callum Kemsley and an own goal won it for Swarthmoor.

Barrow Wanderers also got their first victory as they beat Askam United reserves 3-0. Scorers were Harry Speirs, Ryan Docherty and Tommy Walmsley.

On Friday night, Kirkby United opened their account for the season as they beat Millom reserves 3-1. John Marrs (2) and Paul Cleasby scored the goals, with Niall Harris netting for Millom.

The Emirates FA Cup dream is over for another season for Holker Old Boys after they were beaten 2-0 by Dunston UTS in the Preliminary Round at Rakesmoor Lane.

In the Bay FM West Lancashire League, an accident on the M6 delayed the start of some games, with Vickerstown’s Premier Division game against Thornton Cleveleys not kicking off until 4.15pm.

That did not seem to affect the visitors, who took a second-minute lead, but Dean Crossman equalised and Sean Paterson scored a last-minute winner as Vickerstown came out on top 2-1.

Crooklands Casuals gained their first victory of the season in emphatic style as they won 5-1 at Eagley.

Dave Mansergh scored a hat-trick, with an own goal and a well-deserved goal for Steve Caskie making up the tally.

Cassies were able to field their strongest side so far and it showed with a confidence-building result.

The scoreline could have been even more, with Chris Wraighte hitting the crossbar in a dominant first-half display as Jasper Carey shone brightly in midfield.

Hawcoat Park had to come from behind to beat Turton 2-1 and, with the GSK Ulverston Rangers v Burscough Richmond game being postponed due to an electrical problem at Glaxo, Hawcoat moved top of Division One. Their scorers were Elliott Moore and Pat Allington.

Askam United led three times at home to Wyre Villa but had to settle for a point from a 3-3 draw. Ryan Brown scored another brace, with Kyle Jefferson also finding the net.

Dalton United lost 2-1 at home to Tempest United ,with Rossa Miller scoring a last-minute consolation.

In Division Two, Furness Rovers got their first win of the season with a 2-0 win over Swarthmoor Social through goals just before half-time from Jack Cooksey and Joe Tindale.

Furness Cavaliers also claimed their first success in another late kick-off as Leyland United were held up in traffic.

Kyle Delves scored twice as Cavaliers dominated the first half. After the break, the visitors were dangerous but could only pull one goal back and it ended 2-1.

Millom could not believe they lost their game at home to Kendal County 1-0. The hosts had numerous chances and Carl Waters missed a penalty as the visitors scored a penalty to win with what was their only effort on target.

Walney Island were beaten 4-1 by Milnthorpe Corinthians, with Dan Turner scoring a late consolation.