THE Vickerstown Reserves travel to Duddon Road tomorrow to face Askam United Reserves in the first round of the Furness Senior Cup.

The Park Vale outfit, who remain unbeaten this season, will be seeking revenge after they were defeated by United in the same stage of the competition last year.

After picking up 10 points from their opening four games, Vickerstown manager Steve Brennan has heaped praise on his young players, after his squad was hit by injury.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start,” Brennan said. “If you look at the amount of players we have had out injured, we have surpassed expectations.” Vickerstown will once again be without several first-team players for the game at Duddon Road but Brennan is still aiming for a strong cup run.

“I know it’s a cliche but we’re taking every round as it comes. We are expecting a tough game at the weekend but it would be nice for some of the younger lads to experience a semi-final or even a final.”

After winning the Paul Wilson and the Terry Clinton trophies in a cup double-winning season last year, Brennan is now hoping his side show that sort of consistency in the league.

“Last season we got ourselves into a really promising position by Christmas, but we fell away towards the back end of the season,” he said. With Vickerstown starting the season with a squad plagued with injuries, Brennan admits he has been pleasantly surprised by some of the players who have stepped in.

“People like Jackson Round and Scott McDonald have been outstanding so far,” he said.

“Considering it’s Scott’s first full season at open age, he has hit the ground running. We said to the younger members of the squad at the start of the season, ‘you play well and you keep your shirt’. We’re going to have a real selection headache when we have a full squad!”

There was a full programme of Furness Premier League Riflemans Garage Premier Division games on Wednesday night including some keenly contested local derbies.

Early leaders GSK Ulverston Rangers reserves visited Swarthmoor Social reserves and were held to a goalless draw, however the match was reduced to two halves of 35 minutes due to a serious ankle injury to Swarthmoor’s Jimmy Taylor. All connected to both clubs wish him a speedy recovery.

Vickerstown reserves remain unbeaten after winning 2-1 at Hawcoat Park reserves thanks to goals from Danny Douglas and an own goal.

They finished the game with 10 men after Steve Jones was sent off but held on to win. Hawcoat scored through Ryan Mackay and felt they should have got a point after their last- minute penalty appeal was turned down.

The third unbeaten side are Haverigg United who were 4-0 winners over Millom reserves, who are without a point so far from three games. Scorers were Andy Walker, 2, Luke Chmiel and John Chmeil.

Kirkby United were the night’s top scorers as they put five goals past Askam United reserves without reply. The goals came from Huw Barton, John Marrs, Paul Cleasby, Mark Jackson and Lee Tracey against an Askam side still looking for their first win.

At Lesh Lane a brace from Sean Darby secured a 2-0 win for Britannia against Barrow Wanderers.

Two sides that picked up their first wins of the season were Furness Rovers reserves and Holker Old Boys reserves. Rovers won 3-0 at Furness Cavaliers reserves with goals from Sam Cunningham, Keir Gibbons and Scott Goulding.

Holker beat Barrow Celtic 3-1 at Rakesmoor through goals from Troy Magee, Ben Rebello and sub Jordan Brough while Zak Parker replied for Celtic. The Premier Tiles Division One and the Division Two fixtures commence this weekend. Can all clubs remember that results and scorers should be sent by text to 07709695250 no later than 6pm. In the North Lancashire League Premier Division, on Tuesday, Cartmel came from behind three times to win 4-3 at Arnside thanks to a last- minute winner from Jamie Chick. The goal was his second of the game with the other goals coming from Carl Airey and an Arnside own goal.

Carmel host Marsh United tomorrow and then play the reverse fixture with Arnside on Monday.