ALL eyes were on Hawcoat Park on Saturday, as the Furness Premier League leaders built on their advantage at the top.

With the majority of pitches falling victim to the poor weather, Hawcoat reserves saw their game against Kirkby United given the go-ahead despite heavy showers on Saturday morning.

Park started the game 10 points clear at the top, and they knew they could sign off their 2017 league programme in a more-than-healthy way with a win.

For their part, Kirkby were looking to drag themselves back into some form of contention with what would have been a much-needed three points.

Both teams started brightly, Hawcoat trying to release speedster Matty Pickering and Kirkby looking to tricky winger Paul Cleasby.

The football in the middle of the park was played at a breakneck pace, with some full-blooded challenges, but there was no real quality in either side’s final third.

That all changed when Carl Pearson found space on the by-line for the hosts and made his way into the box, where he was adjudged to have been fouled.

Carl Mackay stepped up and blasted the ball into the roof of the net from the spot for a 1-0 lead.

Kirkby were still trying to force their way into the game, but on the half-hour mark Frankie Ellis jinked past a couple of would-be tacklers to release a pin-point left-foot shot into the bottom corner for 2-0.

Just when you thought Hawcoat would go on to dominate the game, Kirkby started to create chances of their own.

Firstly, Cleasby had a one-on-one chance well saved by home keeper Charlie Foster; then, Sam Pinnegor unleashed a terrific shot which skimmed the bar; and Cleasby also hit a stinging shot that flashed past the post.

A run of corners for the visitors gave them more chances, as both Jordan Rooney and Ollie Jackson had to head clear off the line.

Another corner to Kirkby in the dying seconds of the half was swung into the box by Matty Bruce, and Zach Mooney rose highest to head the ball home for a 2-1 half-time scoreline.

Kirkby were first out the traps in the second half and it was not long before Tom Wildgoose drifted in from the right flank past three defenders and dispatched an effort low and hard into the bottom of the net.

At 2-2, it seemed Kirkby would go on to take the game.

But a couple of tactical changes from Hawcoat player/manager Scott Ellis saw Ollie Jackson take up a more central role, and a lung-busting run from the midfielder saw him go from one box to the other, where he fed Pearson, who from a wide angle lofted the ball over the keeper for a 3-2 lead.

Pearson then went from scorer to provider.

After finding himself in acres of space, he picked out the overlapping Mike Melia, who took his time to find the net for a 4-2 lead.

The see-saw game was not over there, as Cleasby smashed a shot that rattled the bar and Pinnegor found space in the box but could only prod the ball straight at the keeper.

Hawcoat also had defender Ry Mackay to thank as he cleared a chance off the line.

The last real chance fell to Melia, who saw his shot come back off the inside of the post to safety.

Both sides produced an entertaining game in bitterly cold conditions, and Hawcoat are now 13 points clear and will take some stopping in the new year.

Elsewhere in the Furness Premier League, Haverigg United and Britannia shared six goals in a 3-3 draw at Wilson Park.

Andy Whiteford grabbed two goals for Britannia, with James Riley chipping in with the other. Bradley Maine, Anthony Foster and Tom Newbiggin were all on target for the home side.

Holker Old Boys reserves picked up a much needed three points with a 2-0 win at Coniston. Craig Warburton and David Cook were the Old Boys scorers.

In Division One, Millom A are in the title chase after a 3-0 win over Vickerstown A. Phil Edomdson (2) and Chris O’Brien bagged the goals.

In Division Two, the only game of the day between Kirkby United reserves and GSK Ulverston reserves finished 3-2 to Kirkby. Tom Harrison (2) and Josh English were on target for Kirkby, while Zac Milby scored both goals for GSK.

Only two local sides were in action in the West Lancs League.

Crooklands Casuals lost 4-1 at home to Kendal County, with Steve Caskie levelling the scores before a crazy six minutes in which they conceded three times.

Askam United picked up three points as they beat basement dwellers Mill Hill St Peters 7-3. Callum Rayner (2), Mike Thompson (2), Dec Baines, Dec Kell and Liam Jinks were all on target for the Duddon Road outfit.

Holker Old Boys picked up another great point at home against high-flying Prestwich Heys in North West Counties Division One. Holker trailed 1-0 to a 55th-minute penalty, but Brad Hubbold found the net just after the hour-mark for a share of the spoils.

At this stage of the season, amateur footballers normally sign off until the new year, but Saturday sees the majority of West Lancs sides with fixtures.

For teams in the Furness Premier League, there is the first round of the Terry Clinton Trophy to contend with.

There will be a full round-up in next week’s Mail.