The final round of West Lancashire and Furness Premier League fixtures before Christmas was severely dented by the weather, with heavy downpours during the week waterlogging most pitches.

In the North West Counties League, our sole representatives Holker Old Boys have a game scheduled for next Saturday and their home game against Steeton was one of the few that didn’t succumb to the rain.

Holker took the lead through a Robbie Wallace goal after 25 minutes and that’s how it stayed until the half-time whistle. But in the second half Steeton found the net three times, through Michael Armatage, Tobias Jeffrey and Luke Baldwin, without reply to run out 3-1 winners.

In the West Lancs Premier Division, Vickerstown made the short trip to Slyne with Hest but signed off their 2019 with a 4-0 defeat.

The only game in the Furness Premier League to survive was Bootle’s home fixture against Holker Old Boys reserves, which the hosts won 4-1 thanks to goals from Aaron Bradley, Graham Hartley, Matty Clarke and Reece Fretwell.

Steve Forbes replied in vain for the visitors who were treated to the fantastic hospitality shown by Bootle to visiting teams.

In Division One, Soccer Bar are one point off the summit of the table after picking up a 2-0 win against Swarthmoor Social reserves. Conner Bone scored both goals for Soccer Bar, who are second but have three games in hand on current leaders Hawcoat Park A.

Two games took place in Division Two and leaders Coniston continued their great form with a 2-0 win away at Haverigg United reserves, with Paul Walker and Andrew Warne on target for the table toppers.

Furness Rovers A beat Bootle reserves 2-1 thanks to goals from Tom Dodd and John Renton. Tom Millard scored a penalty for Bootle.