KIRKBY United have been crowned champions of the Riflemans Garage Furness Premier Division.

The Villagers took the crown after Vickerstown reserves lost 4-2 at Holker Old Boys reserves on Monday night, a result which meant they could not be caught at the top of the table.

Monday’s game was watched by most of the Kirkby team, but it was not a straight-forward victory for Holker.

Vickerstown led 2-1 through Dave Adams and Mike Adams, but a missed penalty proved to be the turning point as Holker came back to win with a John Paul Stanway hat-trick and a goal from Kev Watkin.

Kirkby completed their league season at Redwaters on Wednesday with a 3-1 win against Britannia.

Scorers for the champions were Paul Cleasby, Matty Bruce and Huw Barton, while Ross Walker replied for the Brit.

After the game, league sponsor Alan Wilson, of Riflemans Garage, presented the trophy and medals to a euphoric Kirkby side, who have come close in recent seasons and thoroughly deserved the title this time round.

Mike Birkett’s side will be hoping to complete a double on Monday at Rakesmoor Lane when they face Vickerstown reserves in the B&D Motors-sponsored Paul Wilson Memorial Trophy.

The showpiece of the Furness Premier League season kicks off at 2pm and promises to be an entertaining game between two attack-minded sides. Vickerstown moved ahead of Hawcoat Park reserves in the quest to finish as runners-up with a 7-2 win over Furness Cavaliers reserves as Hawcoat were losing 2-1 to Furness Rovers reserves.

Vickerstown’s goals came from Mike Adams, Mike Imison, Rob Bruce, Danny Graham, Lee Miller and Jackson Round, plus an own goal.

It was Cavs’ third own goal in two games, though this correspondent would like to clear up any confusion and assert that he did not score any of them!

Cavs’ scorers at the right end were Scott Linklater and Adam Goligy.

Hawcoat hit the woodwork four times in their defeat to Rovers and dominated the game, but could only find the net through Brandon Collins, as goals from Joe Tindale and Ben Comish earned Rovers the points.

Tomorrow, in the final league games of the longest season ever, Hawcoat are at Millom and Vickerstown go to GSK Ulverston Rangers reserves.

Millom still have a great chance of pulling off an amazing recovery that will see their reserves team move out of the relegation places.

Having looked doomed in March, they need a point from tomorrow’s game to be safe and the spectre of relegation now hangs over Bootle.

Millom’s latest win was a 3-1 victory over Haverigg United, with a brace from Danny Pattinson and one from club record-scorer Carl Waters.

In recent weeks, both have made vital contributions. Waters has scored 12 goals in eight matches and Pattinson has scored four goals in the three games he has played.

After 14 games, Millom had won one, drawn one and lost 12, so seven victpries from 13 games since the start of April is a massive improvement.

Haverigg’s goal in the derby defeat came from the Premier Division’s top-scorer, John Chmiel, who has netted 47 goals in 34 games this season.

In the other game played on Wednesday, Holker Old Boys reserves moved above Haverigg into fourth place with a 5-3 win at Barrow Celtic through goals from Stanway (2), Harry Mellen, Watkin and Josh Woodend.

l Crooklands Casuals first-team manager Jon Bell stepped down from his role after their final game of the season at Burnley United.

Bell has been involved at Cassies as a player, coach and manager and helped ensure their survival in the West Lancs Premier Division this season.

A Crooklands statement said: “The club would like to thank Jon for the commitment and hard work he has shown over many years, but hope to appoint a new first-team manager for the 2016/2017 season soon.

“We are a thriving club with two senior (West Lancashire League Premier Division and Furness Premier League Division One) and nine junior teams.”

Writing on Twitter, Bell said: “Stepped down as manager of @crooklandsfc after the game today.

“Really tough season but proud we’ve stayed in the Prem.”

Anyone wishing to be a part of the club can contact either secretary Barbara Mansergh on 07966 660428 or by email to bmansergh@aol.com, or chairman Bob Davies on 07901 646567 or via email to robnew@btinternet.com