VICKERSTOWN kicked off 2017 in style with a superb 3-1 away win at Thornton Cleveleys.

The Walney side got into their stride as early as the fifth minute as Dave Round Junior measured a great ball to Danny Keenan who made no mistake with a left foot finish into the bottom corner.

Vickerstown continued to press the home team and they reacted by kicking Rob Bruce from pillar to post, a number of players were shown yellow cards.

A top class save from the returning Stu Eccles right on half-time kept the score at 1-0. The second half started with a Vickerstown corner which was perfectly delivered by Round Junior and there was Jordan Dix to head home to make it 2-0.

Shortly after the goal the Thornton right back was given his marching orders and then with Vickerstown in control, goalscorer Dix turned provider as he laid on Keenan for his second of the game and 14th of the season.

The last ten minutes should have been easy for Vickerstown, but a late converted penalty for Thornton gave the game a feisty finale. Centre half Scott Hammond just got the nod for man of the match in a good 3-1 away win.

In the First Division Hawcoat Park were beaten 3-1 away at Hurst Green. Hawcoat opened the scoring after Zach Walker whipped in a free-kick that Greg Sharp was closest to when the ball went in the net. Both players celebrated so I’ll leave that one to the dubious goals committee!

Hurst Green equalised almost immediately and ran out winners after two goals in the second half after Hawcoat’s Ollie Jackson had missed a great chance to put them ahead. Dalton were beaten 6-1 away at Milnthorpe, Oliver Carswell scoring for the Railway Meadow outfit.

In Division Two Walney visited Leyland United and Kieron Sollaway came away with the match ball after his excellent hat-trick saw Steve McCullough’s charges clinch a valuable three points.

In the Furness Senior Cup a Matty Lawlor hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Vickerstown Res saw GSK Ulverston Rangers through to the next round.

Josh Cronin and Jack Gardner hit home the other two goals. Ian Rogers scored for Vickerstown who were 1-0 up at half-time.

In the same competition Askam beat Coniston 3-0.

In the Paul Wilson Trophy Bootle beat Croftlands 7-0, Steve Pritt (2) Joe Capstick (2) Andy Knowles (2) and Josh French made it a happy new year at Millholme.

In form Kirkby were beaten by 7-4 by Millom Res who are another team in good form. Paul Cleasby (2), Matty Bruce and Scott Dempsey scored for Kirkby. Josh Keen (2) Andrew Woodburn, Jamie Cairns, Mike Plews, Tom McDonald and Steve Grieve made sure Millom are in the next round.

Bridge United and Furness Cavaliers Res drew 2-2 but Cavs stay in the cup after a 4-1 win in the penalty shoot-out. Sam Davies and Josh Greenwood scored for Bridge after Steve Morgan and Kyle Delves had put Cavs 2-0 up.

Horne Cup action saw lightning strike for the third season running as Ormsgill knocked out Hawcoat A 1-0, Damian Minnican with the goal for Ormsgill.

Dalton United A were beaten 7-4 by Crooklands Casuals Res, Mike Hargreaves (3) Terry Anderson (2) and Ben Phizacklea (2) were all on target for Cassies.

Devon Mulholland (2) Joe Crarey and Marcus Hardman scored for a Dalton side who never gave up the fight.

In Division One Vickerstown A drew 2-2 with Barrow Wanderers.

Player-manager Phil Athersmith scored both goals for Vickerstown, his second coming in the last minute to level the scores.

Haverigg Res and Holker A also played out a 2-2 draw. Christian Squire and Jordan Nicholson got the goals for Holker.

John Chmiel and Liam Hartley replied for Haverigg.

In Division Two FC Barrow Island were defeated 5-0 by Millom A.

Mark O’Brien (2), Dom Brown, Ryan Edgelar and an own goal made up Millom’s tally.

Walney A beat Coniston Res 3-1. Jacob Holmes, Curt Parker and Jon Harding scored for Walney, for whom youngster Callum Ducie was outstanding in a game that was well officiated.

Holker made the trek to St Helens Town and John-Paul Stanway scored twice for the away side, however they were beaten 4-2.