AFTER a seemingly endless spell of wet weather amateur clubs were able to get back to playing, but the strong, freezing wind and occasional snow flurries made good football difficult.

In the Heart FM West Lancashire League Premier Division Vickerstown made light of the testing conditions by taking a much-needed three points from a 2-0 win over Hesketh Bank.

Both sides found it tough and neither could get on top in the opening half hour, and Vickerstown’s task was made more difficult after 35 minutes when Kyle Beach committed a needless foul which resulted in a small scuffle, the result of which was a red card for Beach but only a yellow for the Hesketh Bank player.

Both sides struggled to master the conditions, but on the hour mark Vickerstown were awarded a penalty which was converted by skipper Danny Cummings. Dave Round’s side battled the elements to hang on to the vital points they needed to get away from the foot of the table. And the victory was confirmed in the 88th minute when Jackson Round scored following a corner.

Despite being below full-strength Vickerstown put in a great performance from one to eleven, but man of the match was captain fantastic Cummings. The win lifted Vickerstown above their visitors to 13th in the table.

At Hawcoat Park and all local matches there was a minute’s silence before the game for club servant Tommy McLaughlin who died recently, and the players did him proud with a 4-0 win over Stoneclough. Goalscorers were Elliott Moore, 2, Luke Mitchell and Zach Walker.

Elsewhere in Division One Crooklands Casuals and GSK Ulverston Rangers enjoyed 1-0 away wins. Tony Butler scored for Cassies at Lytham Town while Andrew Whiteford was on target for Rangers at Wyre Villa. Askam United didn’t get anything out of their trip to rock-bottom Mill Hill St. Peters, going down 3-1. Matthew Priestley scored Askam’s late consolation goal.

In Division Two the elements certainly played a part in the derby between Dalton United and Furness Cavaliers as Cavs continued their recent good form by coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

With the wind and slope in their favour Dalton led at half-time through Gareth Jones and Steve Harkin, but in the second half a brace from Kyle Delves levelled the scores before Ryan Rodgers scored the winner.

Millom kept up their title challenge and maintained their 100 per cent home league record with a 2-0 win over Padiham reserves thanks to goals from Jordan Williams and Carl Waters. Walney Island weren’t able to do Millom any favours as they lost 1-0 at home to league leaders Leyland United.

Furness Rovers enjoyed their trip to Thornton Cleveleys reserves, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Owen Woodburn and Joe Bradbury.

In the Hallmark Security League first division Holker Old Boys had a great start against Cheadle Town at Rakesmoor with Nathan Reid scoring in the first minute. The visitors equalised midway through the half but Gareth Smith restored Holker’s lead on the stroke of half-time. Guy Heffernan’s side were denied all three points as Cheadle scored a late equaliser and it finished 2-2. Holker travel to Little Wembley, home of Nelson, tonight, weather permitting.

In the Furness Premier League the top two sides in the Rifleman’s Garage Premier Division, Hawcoat Park reserves and Haverigg United, met at Wilson Park but the game was ruined by the weather and ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Hawcoat remain nine points clear but Haverigg do have two games in hand.

Third-placed Barrow Celtic won 4-1 at Britannia. Celtic’s scorers were Rob Johnson 2, Jack Pedley and Stuart Thompson with Danny Keenan scoring for the Brit. Kirkby United moved above Swarthmoor Social by beating them 5-1 at Park Road. Scorers were Dan Marshall, Mike Birkett, Mitchell Smith and Paul Cleasby 2. Graham Wilcox scored for the home side whose cause was not helped by a red card for Joe Price.

Croftlands Park beat Millom reserves 4-0 through goals from Lewis Jones, 2, Matt Dean and Chris Malone. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Millom’s Tally Thompson who suffered a bad ankle injury in the last minute of the game.

Bootle mastered the strong winds and blizzard conditions against Coniston at Millholme as goals from Aaron Bradley and Connor Nuttall earned a 2-0 win and stretched their unbeaten run to eight games.

One Terry Clinton Memorial Trophy tie was played and Dalton United progressed to the next round with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Furness Cavaliers reserves after it was 2-2 over the 90 minutes. Tom Park gave Dalton a first-minute lead but Matt Hargreaves levelled from the penalty spot after just three minutes.

In the second half Mark Jones put Dalton ahead again and within two minutes Cavs were level, this time through Joe Blackshaw.

There were a couple of high scoring games in Premier Tiles Division One. Hawcoat Park A won 9-3 at Barrow Celtic reserves with Tom Stanwix scoring seven goals!

Ryan Muncaster and Christian Scott were also on target while Colin Husband and Ash Daly, 2, found the net for Celtic.

Ormsgill North End were the day’s highest scorers though as they hammered Haverigg United reserves 10-0. The goals were scored by Mike Crampton, 4, Steve Crompton, 2, Tom Dodd, 2, Dean McClarey and Dane Harvey.

At Lesh Lane Luke Benson scored the only goal as Barrow Wanderers beat Swarthmoor Social reserves 1-0. In Division Two GSK Ulverston Rangers reserves beat Britannia reserves 3-0 thanks to a brace from Reece Rigg and one from Curtis McAloone. Holker Old Boys A came away from Kirkby United reserves with a 3-1 win.

Holker’s scorers were Christian Squire, Connor Erdis and Morgan Gwynne, while Christian Petersen replied for the home side.