THE Furness Premier League kicked off in glorious conditions on Saturday, and it was Barrow Celtic who were making hay as the sun shone as they dispatched Walney Island reserves 8-1 at Newby Terrace.

Rob Johnson and Alex Hall both scored hat-tricks, while Charlie Bunting and Connor Smith grabbed a goal each for Celtic.

Mike Carr marked his return to football by finding the net for Walney.

Britannia also got off to a high-scoring start, as they beat Millom reserves 5-2. Ross Walker and Dean Crossman both grabbed a brace, with Sean Darby making up the five. Joe Myers scored one of the two for Millom.

Croftlands Park beat Furness Cavaliers reserves 4-0, with goals coming from Ryan Ireland, Josh Bayliss, Isaac Prosser and Jamie Sandham. Chris Wraighte was on top form for the victors.

Swarthmoor beat last season’s champions Hawcoat Park reserves 2-1, but it was not all plain sailing as the visitors led the game 1-0 through Sam Jefferson.

Swarthmoor though, with four 16-year-olds in their starting line-up, ran out winners thanks to goals from Luke Armstrong and Ollie Hambley.

Last season’s runners-up, Haverigg United, picked up three points at Wilson Park after a 2-1 win over Dalton United reserves. Ben Thompson was on target for Dalton, but Paul Barker and an own-goal secured the win for the hosts.

Bootle were left without a game when Holker Old Boys reserves could not raise a side to play at Millholme.

In North West Counties Division One, Holker Old Boys lost 2-1 at home to Steeton. Nath Reid scored a blistering first-half equaliser, but Steeton found a winner with 20 minutes remaining.

West Lancs Premier League action at Park Vale saw Vickerstown lose 2-0 to Fulwood Amateurs.

In Division One, newly-promoted Millom got off to a flyer as they beat Wyre Villa 7-0.

Ben McDonald helped himself to four goals, with Jamie Pattinson (2) and Josh Keen making up the tally.

Hawcoat Park also picked up three points with a 3-1 victory over Kendal County thanks to goals from Joe Tindale, Elliot Moore and Mike Melia.

Crooklands Casuals suffered a 4-1 loss at home to Lostock St Gerards. Yahiya Zada, with an early penalty, put Crooklands ahead, but Lostock were impressive on the day.

GSK Ulverston Rangers lost 3-0 at home to CMB and Askam United went down 1-0 away to Stoneclough.

Furness Rovers picked up where they left off last season with a good 4-2 win at Galgate. Liam Shields and Ryan Fagan grabbed two goals apiece.

Furness Cavaliers battled back from 2-0 down at home to Longridge reserves to draw 2-2 thanks to goals from Joe Blackshaw and Tom Heap.

Walney Island left it late in a 1-1 draw at home to Charnock Richard reserves. Man-of-the-Match Sam Clayton netted a towering header in the dying minutes, meaning the points were shared

Dalton United lost 3-2 at home to Croston Sports. Jon While and Kane Fitch were on target for Dalton.

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

Tomorrow: Heart West Lancashire League Premier Division (7pm): Slyne with Hest v Vickerstown.

Heart West Lancashire League Division One (7pm): Askam United v Hawcoat Park, Crooklands Casuals v Millom, GSK Ulverston Rangers v Kendal County.

Riflemans Garage Furness Premier Division (6.30pm): Dalton United reserves v Britannia.

Wednesday: Riflemans Garage Furness Premier Division (6.30pm): Furness Cavaliers reserves v Hawcoat Park reserves, Holker Old Boys reserves v Swarthmoor SC, Kirkby United v Haverigg United, Millom reserves v Bootle, Vickerstown reserves v Barrow Celtic, Walney Island reserves v Croftlands Park.