WITH the area’s football pitches still reeling from the heavy rain of Hurricane Ophelia, and with the prospect of facing the full effects of Storm Brian, most teams took the decision to postpone their fixtures early on Saturday morning.

Some games did take place and had to be abandoned as the storms, wind and rain peaked just after 3pm.

One game that did see out the full 90 minutes was Askam United’s West Lancs Division One home fixture against Lostock St Gerards.

Askam started the day behind Lostock in the table, but a convincing 4-1 win saw them leapfrog their opponents into ninth place.

The Villagers started the game playing the better football, and it was not long before Mikey Thompson put them ahead.

Callum Rayner and Declan Kell put the home side 3-0 up before the players sought refuge in the changing rooms from the elements and a well-deserved cup of tea at half-time.

Lostock had the better of the early exchanges in the second half and had a penalty awarded in the 55th minute, which was duly converted.

This could have been the catalyst for a second-half comeback, but Askam saw the game out and even added another goal late on through Thompson.

Hawcoat Park lost 4-1 at title hopefuls Milnthorpe Corinthians. Their bid was not helped with the dismissal of Mike Wilkes for two bookable offences.

Mike Melia scored a free-kick from all of 40 yards, and Hawcoat still managed to carve out some excellent chances even with a numerical disadvantage.

In Division Two, Dalton United visited Leyland and were 4-1 up at one point. Leyland fought back to lead the game 5-4 and then had two men sent off before the referee called a halt to proceedings due to the weather amid ugly scenes from the home side.

All credit to Dalton for conducting themselves impeccably.

Furness Rovers’ game at home to Lostock St Gerards reserves, and GSK Ulverston’s fixture at Wyre Villa both got started but were also abandoned.

The area’s sole representatives in the Lancashire Shield, Millom, bowed out to a team from two leagues above them as they lost 5-2 at Garstang.

Carl Waters and Theo Wilson put Millom 2-0 up. Garstang were level five minutes after half-time, and three goals in the last 15 minutes gave the scoreline a one-sided look.

In the Furness Premier League Britannia lost 5-2 at home to Swarthmoor. Brit’s goals came from Charlie Shaw and an own-goal.

Swarthmoor’s Graham Wilcox helped himself to four goals, with Pete Spence grabbing the other.

Walney Island reserves and Haverigg United had their game abandoned with Haverigg leading 2-1 in some of the worst conditions I’ve ever seen.

Full credit to both teams for producing some excellent football. Luke Chmiel and Brad Mayne scored two excellently worked goals for Haverigg (against the wind), while Seth Storey tapped in from close range for Walney.

In Division One, Haverigg United reserves drew 2-2 with Furness Rovers reserves. Ben Whiteside and the evergreen Wink Birkett were the Haverigg scorers. Will Heywood and Will Hendley replied for Rovers. Both teams deserved a point each for battling the conditions.

Points were also shared at Millom, as their A team drew 3-3 with Barrow Celtic reserves. Rob Johnson took the match ball home after his hat-trick for Celtic, but it was not enough for the win as Steve Grieve (2) and Ryan Edgelar levelled the scores for Millom.

Vickerstown A and Crooklands Casuals res were drawing 0-0 on Biggar Bank before the game was abandoned.

Four games made it to the 90-minute mark in Division Two.

Barrow Celtic A beat Millom St James 7-0, with Jason Jackson, Danny Mackay, Scott Kane, Scott Burgess, Lee Cargan (2) and veteran campaigner Ash Daly sharing out the goal-scoring duties.

Bootle reserves drew 2-2 with GSK Ulverston reserves. Kevin Hartley and a 40-yard cross-shot from Macaulay Bowman were Bootle’s efforts, while Harry Fine and Billy Mansell scored their first goals in senior football to see the teams leave with a point each.

Croftlands Park reserves beat Britannia reserves 5-2. Ryan Ireland, Tom Woodend, Will Davidson, Hayden Dixon and Ben Donnan all scored for Croftlands. Jordan Wallace and Gareth Morgan were on target for Britannia.

Kirkby United reserves beat Walney A 6-1. Lee Tracey scored a hat-trick, and Mark Jackson, Mike Birkett and Reece Petersen shared the remaining three goals. Josh Huitson netted for Walney.