KNOCK-out action took centre stage in the Barrow & District League this week as the Ulverston Hospital Cup entered the quarter-final stage.

In the under-12s, Millom progressed against a Furness Cavaliers side which has lost just one game this season, taking a 6-2 victory back up the coast, while Crooklands Casuals Oranges cruised into the semi-finals with a 14-0 win over Holker Old Boys. The two teams now meet in the semi-finals, while Swarthmoor entertain Hawcoat Park.

In the under-14s cup, under 13s sides Crooklands Crusaders and Hawcoat Park Dynamos looked to overturn older opposition. Dynamos succeeded with am 5-2 win against Holker, while Crooklands eventually lost 8-5 to Furness Rovers in a game where the lead changed hands several times. Dynamos and Rovers will now contest the semi-final, with the winner meeting Vickerstown in the final.

In the under-16s, Hawcoat Park’s quest to add cup glory to their league title continued as they swept past Swarthmoor 9-0 and they now meet Crooklands Casuals, who beat Furness Rovers 4-1. Holker Old Boys are guaranteed to be represented in the final, as their under-15s Greens beat the under-15s Stags to set up a semi-final with the under-16s.

The under-13s were already at the semi-final stage and title-winners Swarthmoor beat Barrow Island Hawks. They face Holker Old Boys Eagles in the final at Holker Street.

League action saw the under-12s title race continue to take more twists and turns as Swarthmoor lost 2-0 at in-form Crooklands Casuals, who have now won their last three games and will be hoping to climb further up the table. Ulverston Rangers are the latest team to take over the top spot, after winning 10-3 at home to Hawcoat Park, while Walney had a 7-0 home victory against Barrow Celtic.

In the under-14s league, Vickerstown Blues returned from Millom with a 4-3 victory, while their clubmates Vickerstown moved into the semi-final of the league cup, accounting for Crooklands Casuals 11-1. Unfortunately, Barrow Celtic under-14s have folded and it is hoped that their remaining players will continue playing and boost the numbers of other clubs.