Whitehaven earned the bragging rights after a 3-1 home win over Cleator Moor Celtic in the West Lancashire League.
It proved to be a classic, derby encounter showcasing the qualities of the two West Cumbrian rivals.
Within the first ten minutes Whitehaven had really started to take the game to Celtic, who had started the slower of the two.
The home side went into the game off a remarkable 5-3 come-back victory over Turton and it galvanised them into taking the lead on 18 minutes.
It came from an outrageous cross come shot from Callum Oswald who bent the ball into the far corner from the right hand side.
Haven went close again following some clever play through the centre of midfield which to a couple of good saves by the Celtic keeper Scott Paden-Gale.
The Cleator Moor side then started to get a foothold in the game and they equalised through Jay Weatherill, their top scorer from two years ago who has been concentrating on rugby league since then.
He headed home from six yards to send the sides into the break level and evenly poised.
The second-half started with Whitehaven quick out of the traps again and they continued to pose a threat in the final third, particularly through Owen Woodburn and Carl Denver.
Chances were being created at both ends but none were taken, as good goalkeeping and solid defending held sway.
It was late in the game when Whitehaven earned the points. A nicely weighted free-kick into the Celtic area from Cody Benson was collected by Josh Green who was brought down.
The penalty was duly awarded and Woodburn, who had scored a penalty to cap his hat-trick on Saturday, notched his fourth goal in three days from the spot.
Against the general run of play Celtic had a chance to square things. Tommy Whitehead got through on a one-on-one but his effort clipped the post.
Then from deep an outstanding run from defender Oswald saw him drive through the centre of the pitch and link up with Kian Goulding to pick up a rebound and slot home the decisive third goal.
Afterwards the Whitehaven head coach Carl Short said: “The team has been building this kind of performance and the boys have really trusted in the process we have gone through.
“The start of the season has been really positive even though we feel we should have more points on the board, but the togetherness of the team was there to see from everybody in the derby game.
“Some of the stuff we played was outstanding and the possession and passing into the final third for me was a real highlight.
“We won almost every individual battle on the pitch and looked for the 3-1 win. We do need, however, to be more clinical when on top, especially in the first 15 minutes when we really blew Celtic away with our start.
“But it’s a long season and Celtic manager Brian Dawson, as always, was a class act after the game.
“We are now focused on Saturday’s game against Coppul United which will definitely offer another type of challenge as they are a big physical side so we fully expect a battle.”
Whitehaven are up to 10th in the League, two places and two points better off than Celtic.
