Last updated at 14:44, Wednesday, 02 December 2009

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AFTER three weeks without much football for our West Lancashire League sides, most of them were back in action on Saturday.

Unfortunately in the Premier Division both sides lost, Dalton United going down 2-0 at Fulwood Amateurs and Vickerstown losing 2-1 at home to Turton, with Dave Round Junior their marksman.

In Division One, Hawcoat Park haven’t been as badly affected as some and they were unlucky not to come away from Slyne-with-Hest with no more than a point from a 2-2 draw.

Despite going 1-0 down against the run of play they came back well and Sean Paterson equalised early in the second half. Trevor Houston put them ahead but an injury time goal levelled the scores.

Andy Hill and Darren Greig were outstanding for Grant Cumberbatch’s side.

After finding themselves two down after 20 minutes, Crooklands never really recovered and went down 2-0 at home to high-flying Thornton Cleveleys.

Cassies applied some pressure in the second half without really threatening the Thornton goal and they remain in mid-table.

Millom’s game at Wyre Villa was off.

In Division Two, the Furness Rovers revival continues to gain momentum after a 4-1 win over GSK Ulverston Rangers. Pat Staunton scored twice, with Steve Caskie and Mike Krampton also on target while Ross Gabriel scored Rangers’ consolation.

At Duddon Road, Askam United were well beaten by a superb second half performance from visitors Lytham Town. Kris McLean put Askam ahead and, despite creating at least half-a-dozen chances, it was 1-1 at half-time. The Villagers were punished after the break as it ended 5-1 to a good Lytham side. The games involving Furness Cavaliers and Walney Island were both postponed.

Although the weather relented slightly this week, there were still nine postponements in the Furness Premier League. In the Rifleman's Garage Premier Division leaders Vickerstown now have an eight-point lead at the top after a 6-0 win over Holker Old Boys reserves. Scorers were Steve Jones (2), Jon Moore (2), Dave Adams and Aaron Read.

Hawcoat Park were given a first-minute lead at home to Haverigg United through an own goal, but the visitors recovered to win 3-1. The other four Premier Division games fell victim to the weather.

In the Horne Cup, which has a new format this season, one game was played in each of the four groups.

Division Two leaders Barrow Wanderers reserves travelled to play Division One side Millom A and made light work of the difference in divisions, coming out 4-1 winners. Stuart Pattinson scored for the home side, with Scott Beckman and Dean Crossman each scoring twice for Wanderers.

Even more surprising was Barrow Island’s 5-3 defeat to Swarthmoor Social reserves. Island’s scorers were Ian Gomersall (2) and Chris Jones.

The trend continued as Jamie Cowan scored both in Holker Old Boys A’s 2-0 win over Hawcoat Park A. In an all-Division One clash, Askam United reserves beat Dalton United A 5-2 at Biggar Bank with goals from Chris Ridyard (2), Craig Muncaster, Daniel Sharp and debutant Ben Mahon. Ben Smith and Martin Dugdale were Dalton’s scorers.

Holker exited the only cup competition they were left in following a disastrous six-minute spell at the start of the second half which ultimately cost them the game.

Having played out a somewhat dour goalless first half with the tie looking destined for a penalty shootout, they conceded twice in quick succession, an Ian Orme goal and a penalty converted by John Kennedy after new recruit keeper Stuart Eccles, in for the injured Ben Morsby, fouled Orme inside the area.

Old Boys went further behind chasing the game when Matthew Williams struck a free-kick with accuracy into the top corner of Eccles’ net, and the only consolation was an excellent 40-yard chipped lob from substitute Stephen Forbes, with Liverpool keeper Sam Wilkinson stranded.

First published at 12:57, Monday, 30 November 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk