BARROW Celtic maintained their unbeaten start to the Furness Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Croftlands Park at Newby Terrace.

Both sides missed penalties in a closely-fought game excellently controlled by Colin Atkinson with Charlie Buntin’s goal enough to earn Celtic all three points.

Croftlands started slowly last season so won’t be too worried but they will be finding that everyone raises their game against the champions.

After three games there are only two teams with 100 per cent records in the Premier Division. Kirkby United won 3-0 at Britannia and have yet to concede a goal. Scorers were Sam Pinnegor, Mike Birkett and Matty Bruce as the Brit dropped points for the first time this season.

Vickerstown reserves also made it three wins from three games as they beat Holker Old Boys reserves 3-2 with goals from Robbie McMurdo, Andrew Higginson and Dave Jepson. Holker’s scorers were Dave Cook and Steve Forbes.

Swarthmoor beat Dalton United reserves 6-1 with Graham Wilcox scoring a hat-trick. The other goals came from Reis Sharp, Ronan Simpson and Peter Spence on his debut for the club. Bradley Jones replied for Dalton.

Bootle and Hawcoat Park reserves also moved onto six points with wins over Walney Island reserves and Millom reserves respectively.

Bootle’s scorers in their 2-1 win were Kev Hartley and Matthew Clarke and Walney’s scorer was James Burns.

A Carl Mackay penalty and a goal from Tom Hammond gave Hawcoat a 2-0 win over Millom.

Haverigg United got their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Furness Cavaliers reserves. John Chmiel (2) and Luke Chmiel were the scorers.

In the West Lancashire League Division Two Millom maintained their 100 per cent start with a 3-0 win over Croston Sports through goals from Carl Waters, Jamie Pattinson and an own goal.

Inspired substitutions made the difference at Dalton United as they came back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Padiham reserves 3-2.

Gareth Jones came off the bench to score a penalty and fellow sub Ben Thompson scored twice to earn Dalton their second win of the season.

Walney Island are still unbeaten but were held to a 2-2 home draw against Tempest United reserves. They were twice ahead through Jack Hargreaves and James Bailey but had to settle for a point.

After losing their first two games, Furness Cavaliers showed great character to come from behind three times against Leyland United to earn a battling point.

Kyle Delves scored twice and 16-year-old keeper Max Bickerdike made it 3-3 in the 93rd minute as his free-kick from the halfway line eluded everyone and ended up in the back of the net. The visitors played some good football but were undone by their own indiscipline and were fortunate to only have one player sent off. The point moves Cavaliers ahead of Furness Rovers at the foot of the table after Rovers lost 3-0 at Ladybridge.

In Division One all four local sides are on four points after three games. Hawcoat Park got their first win of the season with a 5-2 victory at Stoneclough thanks to goals from Oli Jackson (2), Elliott Moore, Ryan Brown and Sam Jefferson.

GSK Ulverston Rangers drew 1-1 at Lytham Town but Askam United and Crooklands Casuals both lost.

Hugh McParland put Askam ahead at Duddon Road against Wyre Villa but the visitors came out on top, winning 3-1. Cassies lost by the same score at Hurst Green with Kieran Clark scoring their consolation goal in the 85th minute.

In the Premier Division Vickerstown are still looking for their first points after they went down 2-1 at Park Vale against Tempest United. Jackson Round put them ahead with a penalty but Steve Kewley also missed from the spot as the visitors scored twice in the second half to take the points. The local derbies continue this week with Millom hosting Walney Island tonight while tomorrow it’s GSK Ulverston Rangers v Crooklands Casuals, Hawcoat Park v Askam United and Dalton United v Furness Rovers, all 6.45pm kick-offs.

Guy Heffernan’s reign as Holker Old Boys manager began with a defeat as they lost 5-1 at Whitchurch Alport.

Alport, who finished fifth last season, scored in the first minute but Brad Hubbold equalised for Holker after five minutes but that was as good as it got. Holker are at home to Atherton LR on Wednesday night. (8pm kick-off).