The first round of the Fred Conway County Cup dominated the weekend programme with several Inter League clashes.
One that was a throwback to past rivalries was the tie between Wetheriggs and Keswick.
Keen rivals over many years in the Westmorland League, they had not met competitively since Keswick switched to the Cumberland County League in 2023.
Wetheriggs had the first opportunity to go ahead from the penalty spot but Keswick’s young keeper Charlie Thomson denied Max Owens with a fine save.
However soon after on 13 minutes the home side did take the lead when Alfie Brunskill showed great control before firing low past Thomson.
Home keeper Harvey Reay made a couple of good stops before Keswick conceded a second on 35 minutes to Josh Padgett.
That actually completed the scoring and the second-half produced few chances at either end.
Three clubs who all play at a higher level than County League made progress.
Whitehaven, Cleator Moor Celtic and Windscale had to travel but got through.
It was a particularly good effort from Whitehaven as they won 3-1 at Calthwaite with two red cards in the first half an hour.
Owen Woodburn and Callum Oswald were both sent off for allegedly swearing.
Even so the visitors still were able to lead 2-0 at the break with goals from Carl Denver and Taylor Hambling.
Cody Benson scored the third Whitehaven goal and although their hosts pulled one back the west Cumbrians were comfortable winners.
Celtic had it much tougher at Wigton Harriers and had to go to penalties to get through.
The game finished 1-1 with Celtic having to come from behind with an equaliser from Adam Smith after Richard O’Keefe had put Wigton ahead.
All four spot-kicks for Celtic went home from Smith, Ellis Trotter, Marcus Atkinson and Jack Burns with Wigton missing twice.
The fifth Celtic penalty was not needed as they won 4-3.
Windscale were also away in the first round and got through with a 6-1 win at Braithwaite.
They had the tie won by half-time after opening up a 5-0 lead.
But honours were even in the second-half when Windscale certainly dropped their standards.
Matty Pierce (2), Jayden Fulton (2), Harry Hodgson and Aiden Kegg were the scorers for the Atoms.
The top two sides in the Cumbria County League both won 7-0.
Maryport Athletic hosted Northbank and goals from Ethan Weir (2), Cameron Moir (2), Cameron Harker, Ciaron Booty and Aaron Hoad-Williams saw them through comfortably.
Unisun’s seven goals at Eden Valley came from Josh Morley (2), Ellis Dickinson, Shane Dorward, James-Lee Reynolds, Tom McDonald and an opponent.
In an all-west Cumbrian tie Whitehaven Miners were 6-2 winners at Bransty.
They won with goals from Owen Woods, Ben Graham, Hadley Davies, Alex Parr, Jamie Thursby and Brad Keenan.
Bransty’s replies came from Harvey Law and Chris Armstrong.
The other tie to go to penalties was after Aspatria had drawn 2-2 with Workington Juniors.
It took some time to sort out from the spot, too, before Workington won 8-7.
Dan Pearson had scored both the Aspatria goals with Aaron Porthouse and Chad Grisdale responding for Workington.
Kirkiswald were too strong for Silloth and went home with a 7-1 win.
Ryan Bell (2), Liam Robinson, Jake Holden, Lamin Cham, Niall Renwick and Jake Preston scored the goals with Jackson Slack netting for Silloth.
Fellside beat Dearham 4-1 when their debutant Stuart Steel won their man of the match.
Jack Baker (2), Phil Storey and Billy Little scored the goals with Oliver Scott replying for Dearham.
In the other tie Mirehouse were beaten 3-2 at home by Greystoke.
Frank Hansford (2) and John Banks scored for Greystoke while Kyle Bayliff and Nathan Dryden netted for Mirehouse.
The tie between Cockermouth and Langwathby will be played this Saturday.
