FURNESS Premier League clubs and officials are keeping fingers crossed that the weather Gods will be kind to them this weekend.

The FPL programme was all but wiped out last weekend - with only Tummerhill surviving the deluge and playing host to an eight-goal thriller as Walney Island Reserves and Britannia drew 4-4.

And the last thing teams need is another blank weekend in November, especially as the worst of the winter weather is still to come, which could lead to many games being called off and the prospect of another end-of-season fixture pile-up.

Incessant downpours in the early part of this week might mean more postponements tomorrow to save some pitches from being churned up, but with the Furness peninsular having enjoyed a few dry days on the run, there will hopefully be plenty of matches played.

Furness Senior Cup action sees FPL Premier Division front-runners Hawcoat Park reserves go to Division One Dalton United reserves as favourites to progress, while Walney Island first team should be too strong at home for visiting Haverigg United, and Barrow Celtic seconds head to unknown territory at Cartmel A.

The big match in the Furness Premier Division sees second-placed Barrow Celtic entertain fourth-placed Holker Old Boys seconds.

With Hawcoat in cup action, Celtic could end the day on top of the pile if they triumph. However, if they don't win, the door will be left open for reigning champions Kirkby United to take over at the summit, should they take the three points against Furness Rovers reserves at the Community Centre.

West Lancs League sides will also be eager to get back out on to the field of play after seeing last week's entire fixture list was called off a day in advance by a WLFL committee who were justifiably concerned about a bad weekend forecast following days of heavy rain and snow.

Our two Premier Division clubs are both on the road tomorrow, as Crooklands Casuals head to Blackpool Wren Rovers and Vickerstown are at Hesketh Bank.

Askam United's Duddon Road ground has been pretty good at passing pitch inspections down the years, and hopefully that will be the case again as they take on CMB in a tasty Division One encounter.

The Villagers' promotion-chasing neighbours Hawcoat Park - who are without a game - will hope United can do them a big favour by turning over one of their main rivals at the top of the division.

GSK Ulverston Rangers head to Haslingden St Mary's as big underdogs as their promising but largely inexperienced squad chase their first league win of the season. Dalton United are also on their travels as they face fellow strugglers Mill Hill St Peters.

In contrast all four local Division Two teams enjoy home comforts.

High-flying Millom will be confident of disposing of cellar dwellers Coppull United reserves; mid-table sides Furness Cavaliers and Blackpool Wren Rovers lock horns at Rampside Road; Furness Rovers host Burscough, and Swarthmoor will hope to upset the form book against Crospton Sports.

Holker Old Boys did manage to get a game in last weekend, but that's due to the fact they were playing on Widnes's all-weather pitch.

The Stags came so close to giving recently-appointed boss Brian Dawson his first win in charge as they led twice - first through John-Paul Stanway and then Sam Joel - despite being down to ten men after the dismissal of Gareth Smith. But they succumbed to a second Widnes leveller as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Dawson will have taken enough positives from that display to hope his side get back to winning ways at home to Litherland tomorrow, although a top-six side, the visitors are likely to be difficult opponents.

Dawson saw his team lose their first game of his reign 4-1 at home to Chadderton a fortnight ago, and the former Barrow AFC and Millom striker will demand an improvement on that display in front of the Rakesmoor Lane faithful.