THE new season started in mixed fashion for local clubs in the West Lancashire League but unfortunately our only Premier Division side, Vickerstown, were left frustrated as they lost 3-2 at home to Fulwood Amateurs.

The visitors who finished third last season are again expected to be challenging at the top of the table but Dave Round’s side were equal to them for much of the game only to be denied by two late goals.

Fulwood took the lead after 25 minutes but Dave Round levelled from the penalty spot before Danny Cummings put Vickerstown ahead. Both sides had a player sent off, Round seeing red for Vickerstown and it was Fulwood who adapted better scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to grab all three points.

Town performed well particularly in the second half and can take encouragement from their performance.

Crooklands Casuals were relegated from the Premier Division last season but started life in Division One well, beating Lytham Town 2-0 at Longlands Park.

Evergreen Dave Mansergh and new signing Tom Pavett scored the goals.

Askam United had an excellent result at promoted Fulwood Amateurs reserves as goals from Connor Rowlings, Callum Rayner and Jordan Rayner earned a 3-0 win.

Hawcoat Park had to settle for a point from a 2-2 home draw with another relegated side, Lostock St Gerards, scorers were Ben Stoker and Zach Walker with a 30 yard free-kick.

GSK Ulverston Rangers were at home to Poulton and suffered a 3-0 defeat. Dalton United’s first game in Division Two since 1975-76 didn’t end well as they lost 2-0 at Lostock St Gerards reserves while Furness Cavaliers suffered a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Ladybridge.

Ryan Rodgers put Cavaliers ahead but the visitors equalised in first half injury time the scored three times in seven minutes early in the second half. Walney Island were left frustrated as visitors Charnock Richard reserves equalised in the last minute to snatch a 2-2 draw at Tummerhill with James Bailey bagging a brace for the home side.

Millom started well with goals from player-manager Danny Pattinson and his brother Jamie earning a 2-1 win at Thornton Cleveleys reserves.

The Furness Premier League season also started on Saturday with seven Riflemans Garage Premier Division fixtures going ahead and there were plenty of goals.

Kirkby United signalled their intent to win back the crown they won two seasons ago by putting seven past Hawcoat Park reserves without reply.

The goals came from Pinnegor 2, Birkett 2, Barton, Jackson and a 30 yard screamer against his former club from Mooney. Reigning Champions, Croftlands Park also started with a win and a clean sheet as goals from Ryan Ireland (2) and Sean Nicholson gave them a 3-0 win at Bootle, which is never an easy place to get a result.

Holker Old Boys reserves won by the same score against Walney Island reserves thanks to goals from Danny Sawyer, Craig Warburton and David Cook as did Swarthmoor against Furness Cavaliers reserves.

The returning Reis Sharp scored twice in the first half with sub Graham Wilcox adding the third in the closing minutes.

Two games ended in 5-3 away wins with Britannia and Vickerstown reserves winning at Dalton United reserves and Millom reserves respectively.

Brit’s scorers were Ross Walker 2, Ryan Barker, Liam Holmes and Luke Vandome with Mark Jones, Dan Hall (pen) and Ben Wright replying for Dalton.

At Hanna Field Millom contributed two own goals of Vickerstown’s five, the other scorers being Andrew Higginson, Mike Imison and Macauley Creighton.

Scorers at the right end for Millom were Declan Evans, Ryan Edgelar and Joe Myers. The game at Newby Terrace ended all square with Barrow Celtic and Haverigg United drawing 1-1.

Carl Pearson was on target for Celtic with Anthony Foster scoring for Haverigg in a game superbly officiated by Steve Butler.

* The FPL is still in need of match officials and anyone interested in taking up the whistle, particularly former players who want to put something back into the game, should contact Bob Davies of the Furness Referees Society on 01229 465370 or 07901646567.