HARD work by the groundsmen ensured that Crooklands Casuals were able to host Vickerstown in a re-arranged West Lancashire League Premier Division game – and the home team players took full advantage as they picked up three valuable points.

Cassies had the better of the first half and could have gone ahead with Steve Caskie and Dave Goude both going close, but it remained goal-less at half-time.

Injury-ravaged Vickerstown found their task made harder early in the second half when Steve Kewley was sent off, but they had the better of the play and looked dangerous going forward.

Crooklands stood up well to the islanders’ spirited response, with Paul Wrathall and Liam Curwen excellent at the heart of the defence. The match was settled in the 72nd minute by a scappy own goal when Ben Harvey’s cross was unfortunately turned into his own net by former Crooklands player Danny Graham.

The match was played in a fair spirit on a heavy pitch which made for a tight contest but made good football difficult.

The win moves Crooklands up to eleventh in the table while Vickerstown stay third from bottom and will be hoping to get some of their injured players back as soon as possible.

In Division One Askam United put in a determined defensive display to secure a goal-less draw with league leaders Burscough Richmond at Duddon Road.

Despite picking up a point they slipped a place in the table as Poulton moved above them following a 2-1 victory over Dalton United.

Dalton played well and took the lead through Gareth Jones but couldn’t hold on and remain rooted to the foot of the table.

GSK Ulverston Rangers drew 1-1 at Hurst Green, having to settle for a point after James Pinnegor had given them a 13th minute lead. Hawcoat Park’s game with Ladybridge fell victim to the weather.

The games between Millom and Furness Cavaliers and Swarthmoor Social against Croston Sports were postponed in Division Two but the game at Tummerhill between Walney Island Bolton County survived. Walney were unable to get the win however as they were beaten 3-2. Keiron Solloway gave Walney the lead but the visitors went 3-1 up before Mike Carr pulled a goal back. Holker Old Boys’ re-arranged Reusch NWCL First Division Cup tie went ahead at Rakesmoor and early goals from Guy Heffernan and Phil Coombe were enough to see Scott Redhead’s side progress to the next round.

The 2-0 win over Ashton Town was good one against another side who are challenging for the play-off places in the division and it takes the unbeaten run to six matches. The heavy rain earlier in the week caused several games to be postponed inluding Kirkby United’s Lancashire Amateur Cup fourth round tie at Walmer Bridge.

The four FPL venues that were unplayable were Furness Rovers, Furness Cavaliers, Dalton United and Barrow Wanderers, but 10 games did survive. The Riflemans Garage Premier Division title race is very tight indeed with top spot changing hands almost every week.

Vickerstown reserves returned to the summit on goal difference with a 3-0 victory over Askam United reserves. Scorers were Mike Adams, 2, and Jackson Round. Previous leaders GSK Ulverston Rangers reserves were beaten 2-0 at Glaxo by Hawcoat Park reserves, who are fifth but just two points off the top. Their scorers were Ryan Magtoto and Zach Walker. Holker Old Boys reserves could have gone top but were beaten 1-0 at Haverigg United by a John Chmiel goal. Haverigg can go top if they win their games in hand and Kirkby United are also a few games behind due to cup commitments. Any of the top seven will still feel they can win the title. Reigning Champions Barrow Celtic won again, beating last year’s runners-up, Britannia, 3-1 at Newby Terrace.

Scorers were Josh Greenwood, Jack Dulgnan and a Zak Parker penalty, while Ross Walker was again on target for the Brit. Croftlands Park’s lead at the top of Premier Tiles Division One is now 11 points after they beat Haverigg United 3-0 with goals from Matt Dean, 2, and Chris Malone. That takes their winning run to 10 games, since an opening weekend defeat against Dalton United reserves. Holker Old Boys A moved up to second place with a 5-2 victory over Barrow Celtic reserves. Scorers were Jordan Nicholson, 2, James Curtis, 2, and Ben Garner. Sixteen-year-old Ben Phizacklea had a fine debut for Celtic, scoring one and setting up the other goal for Jordan White. The big game in Division Two saw Millom A inflict a first league defeat on Ormsgill North End which means Millom go level on points with them at the top of the table. Millom’s goals came from leading scorer Mark O’Brien plus two own goals!

Despite the 3-1 defeat Ormsgill, who scored through Mike Crampton, stay ahead on goal difference.

Bootle won 2-0 against an improving Coniston reserves who felt they deserved something from the game. Kevin Hartley scored and missed a penalty with Dec Evans also finding the net for Bootle.

Walney Island A picked up their second win of the season with a 4-1 victory over Barrow Island. Scorers for Walney were Zak Quayle, Jon Harding, Chris Burns and Mike Duncan with Gary Rowlands scoring a free-kick in reply.

Premier Division Millom reserves proved too strong for Division One side GSK Ulverston Rangers A in the Furness Junior Cup, winning 2-0 with goals from Chris Wood and Jamie Cairns.