THE race for the Furness Premier League title is hotting up nicely.

Hawcoat Park reserves currently lead the pack, but they have run into some indifferent form recently, not helped by big injury problems in their first team, meaning a lot of players who started the year in the reserves have stepped up.

The teams in the chasing pack have all played three games fewer than the leaders. Barrow Celtic are just one point behind, reigning champions Kirkby are a further point back, and Holker Old Boys reserves are just five points off the lead.

So, with 10 games remaining for these sides, it could be one of the closest run-ins involving more than two teams that has been seen for a number of seasons.

In the Furness Senior Cup, three of the four semi-finalists are in place, with Millom, Askam and Barrow Celtic taking up spots.

The winners of the Swarthmoor and Dalton United reserves match will make up the final four.

With Askam and Millom both having solid seasons in their respective West Lancs League divisions, it would be a bit of an upset if the winners came from anywhere else, but the free-scoring Barrow Celtic might have something to say about that.

Swarthmoor have found the going tough in the West Lancs League this season and the cup has been a good distraction.

Dalton United reserves from Furness Premier League Division One, have done fantastically well to get to the quarter-finals after beating higher-division opponents in the shape of Kirkby and Hawcoat reserves.

Who knows, they might just keep their cup form up all the way to the final.

In the Paul Wilson Memorial Trophy, the top three sides from the Furness Premier League have all been knocked out, so the competition is wide open.

Last year’s winners Vickerstown reserves will be looking to win the cup for the sixth time, but with the field so widespread the winners could come from anywhere.

The Terry Clinton Trophy is at the last-eight stage and the tie between Kirkby and Hawcoat reserves stands out. Hawcoat will be wanting to progress to defend the trophy they won last season.

Celtic were beaten on penalties in the first round by Millom reserves, who have a tough tie against Haverigg to contend with.

Britannia, who have been hit by some poor form recently, will be looking to progress at the expense of Furness Cavaliers reserves, who themselves will be looking to the cup to put their indifferent league form behind them. Vickerstown Reserves play league new boys Croftlands in the remaining tie.

In Division One, Hawcoat A are top of the table, but Coniston are only three points behind and have five games in hand.

Wanderers and Dalton reserves sit three points further back and will be looking for Coniston to slip up if they are to have a chance of promotion.

The Horne and Junior Cups are still at the early stages, but with all the form teams still in the hat, they will be looking to get their names engraved on a trophy this season.

In Division Two it is a two-horse race between Millom A and new boys Bridge United. Millom sit top of the table on 33 points, while Bridge are a point behind and have played a game more.

With only a couple of fixtures remaining, it seems like a tough ask but they are scheduled to play each other this weekend.

Askam United are looking for a first-team manager for next season as Ben Shirley is stepping down from the post at the end of the the current campaign.

Any interested parties can contact the club on 07494 987670 or 07854 120999.

The Askam United committee have thanked Shirley for his hard work and commitment over the course of the last 18 months.