FURNESS Rovers took the derby honours with a 3-2 victory over Walney Island in an entertaining clash.

This West Lancs Division Two match had more or less everything, keeping the faithful spectators warm on a cold afternoon at Tummerhill.

The first half hour of the game was a midfield battle with very few passes reaching their targets and the two young teams struggling to get going with the match being played at a sedate pace.

That all changed on the half hour mark when one of the older generation Steve Crompton put his foot on the ball, found some space and played it perfectly to Joe Tindale, who strode unopposed into the box and hit a lethal left foot shot past Walney keeper George Scott.

The goal brought the game to life and Walney went straight on to the attack minutes later when Kieron Sollaway found himself one on one, but his shot was straight at Rovers keeper Pete Thompson who had already slipped to the ground.

Walney then went close when a free-kick was whipped in and avoided everyone but it bounced past flailing legs and the post to safety. Solloway then broke down the right and had Matt Lockley on his own in the box, but his pass was smartly cut-out by the onrushing Thompson.

With half-time fast approaching, Lockley hit the bar with a header and then smashed the rebound over from six yards out. Rovers kicked off the second half and played the ball back weakly which allowed Lockley to latch onto it, and he beat the last defender and buried his shot into the corner.

This goal seemed to shock Rovers into life and for the next 20 minutes they dominated. Josh Jones picked up a free ball on the edge of the box to jink his way through and finish it off for a well deserved goal.

Not long after that Tindale pounced on a poor clearance and after a neat one-two with Crompton he again unleashed an unstoppable shot to make it 3-1. Scott Goulding then hit the bar for Rovers after some good wing play.

With 15 minutes left on the clock Walney were handed a lifeline in the form of penalty after Crompton brought down Solloway but Thompson was the hero as he made a great diving save. However, from the resulting corner Will Boulton scored to make it 3-2 to Rovers and that’s how it finished. Both teams created chances but on the day it was Rovers’ clinical finishing that was the difference.

In the West Lancs Division One GSK Ulverston Rangers beat Dalton 2-0 thanks to goals from Gardner and Chris Bolton – the Ulverston team’s first league win of the season.

Askam bagged three points away at Hurst Green after a fine 3-2 win, goals coming from Kyle Jefferson, Jordan Rayner and Ross Walker.

In the Furness Premier League, leaders Hawcoat Park Reserves were beaten 3-0 by Vickerstown Reserves, skipper Mike Imison (2) and Andy Higginson (pen) with the goals.

Kirkby beat a depleted Britannia 11-1. Connor Saunders (4) Paul Cleasby (3) Matty Bruce (2) Tom Wildgoose and Mark Jackson all weighed in with goals for Kirkby. Cameron Clark scored Brit’s consolation.

Furness Rovers Reserves were defeated 9-2 at home to Haverigg. Steve McAllister and Ryan Fagan scored for Rovers but Anthony Foster (4) Luke Chmiel, Josh Shaw (2) Ricky Donoghue and Gavin Scudamore all netted for Haverigg.

GSK Ulverston Reserves hosted Swarthmoor Reserves and it was Swarthmoor who left happy after a 3-2 win. Tyler Spence and Stuart Smith scored for GSK. Jack Moore, Rikki Gallagher and Tom Leslie made up the Swarthmoor tally.

In the First Division Hawcoat Park are top of the table and had a 2-0 win away at Haverigg Reserves thanks to a Ryan Muncaster double. Dalton United Reserves were beaten 4-1 at home by Barrow Wanderers. Ben Wright scored for Dalton. Ryan Docherty, Ross Shields, Chris Cloudsdale and Sam Johnson replied.

In the Second Division, Bridge United lie in second place and beat Barrow Island 5-2 with goals from Josh Greenwood (4) and Ryan Barker. Coniston Reserves picked up their third win of the season with a 4-1 win away at Dalton A. Dan Rose scored for Dalton, Phil Edmondson (2) Andrew Wane and Craig Noble all got on the scoresheet for Coniston.

In the only cup fixture of the day Kirkby Reserves beat Britannia Reserves 3-0 to progress to the next round of the Furness Junior Cup. Kirkby’s goalscorers were Josh English (2) and Dan Marshall.

Holker lost 3-1 at Cheadle Town in the North West Counties Division One, Ben Rebello netting for Old Boys.