Cartmel were bewildered at the pace of the game and played badly for the whole of the first half when Highgrove should have been out of sight.

Cartmel equalised in the second half, equalised and emerged as the stronger and fitter in extra time rattling in three winning goals scored by Stuart Taylor, Alan Coulston and Richard Spendlove while Highgrove managed one from young Jordan Jackson.

In the semi-final Cartmel will meet the holders Storeys Reserves in a repeat of last seasons final.

In the Premier Division Galgate almost guaranteed themselves top flight football next season when they beat an out of form and out of sorts Kirkby Lonsdale by 3-1.

The club have had a torrid week after the death of one of its stalwarts Bob Turner. The funeral of Bob Turner will take place at St. Mary's Church tomorrow April 2 at 1.15pm. Bob had been a member of Kirkby Lonsdale for over 45 years.

Halton Rangers played Cartmel when original opponents Morecambe Hoops could not raise a team to play.

In the second half Mark Plevey scored from close in but Cartmel came back within five minutes with a goal from Joel Drinkall.

Highgrove expected a close game against Carnforth having played them just two weeks ago and only winning on penalties. This game was very much different as the Highgrove side turned on the style of champions to run out easy winners by 5-1, the goals being scored by captain Russell Mitchell, a brace from Luke Ogley, Dan Broadley and Scott King. Carnforth's consolation was scored by Liam Steele.

Morecambe Royals caused a bit of a stir when it beat one of the favourites for the title Marsh United by 2-1.

Storeys although they have moved back to the top of the league must now realise they must be third favourites to retain its title after a disappointing draw against an inconsistent TIC Dynamos.

They could have been challenging for the title if they had played with more consistency. Player/manager Steven Stirzaker scored for Storeys and Martin Lewis for the Dynamos.

Swarthmoor Social Club felt the full force of a rampant Ingleton side that went from strength to strength as the game went on. Ingleton completely dominated the game and could have by more than the 8-0 it did win by.

In Division One the match of the day was between title contenders, leaders Bowerham and second placed Bentham who are 10 points in front of the next promotion hopeful Slyne with Hest (LCC) in fourth place.
Bentham took the lead early in the second half when unmarked Sam Lister scored and held it by saving a penalty.

Boys Club made it three wins from its last three games when they beat off a spirited challenge from next to bottom Torrisholme.
Ingleton Reserves just about deserved its narrow 1-0 win over bottom side Grange.

Marsh United Reserves remain in third place after making hard work of beating an out of form Millhead side.

Morecambe Royals Reserves entertained College AFC in the local derby, played on a pitch that had dried out making it hard for both teams to control the ball.

It was in the last 10 minutes that College raised its game and for the first time held the upper hand. With just 10 minutes remaining College took the lead for the first time when Tim Breene beat the keeper with a snap shot to snatch the winner.

It appears that Slyne with Hest (LCC) have dropped out of the race for promotion when they dropped another two points in its 2-2 against Storeys Reserves.

In Division Two leaders Bolton le Sands are promoted to Division One after thrashing another promotion hopeful side Overton by 4-0.

Bolton le Sands went about its business in a workmanlike way and wore Overton down with some excellent football and good defending.

Although Overton was second best for most of the game but they made Bolton Le Sands earn its win. Alex Batson opened the scoring with young Nicholas Pidcock adding a second before veteran Mark Smith showed his class with two excellent strikes. The fight for the title could be decided when Bolton le Sands entertain Freehold. A win for Bolton le Sands will make them champions.

Freehold in second place travelled to play mid-table Kirkby Lonsdale Reserves without six key players. Despite being a weakened team they took the lead after just 3 minutes when Stuart Clarkson headed into the net from a Richard Chambers inch perfect cross to make it 1-0.

Freehold made it 2-0 after just 10 minutes when Ian Palwankar was brought down in the penalty area, evergreen veteran Phil Clements stepped up to score with ease, however the referee spotted an infringement and ordered the penalty to be retaken.

The second spot kick was taken again by the wily old fox Clements who smashed the ball into the same corner giving the keeper no chance and doubled his side's lead. Freehold thought they had made it 3-0 when Ian Palwankar first time shot flew into the bottom corner. The effort was disallowed for offside.

Kirkby at last got its game going and looked dangerous, especially at set pieces, from one of the set pieces they reduced the arrears in the 40th minute when Freehold failed to deal with a loose ball allowing David Banks to score.

The second half saw Kirkby start much the better side and in the 55th minute thought they had equalised but the effort was ruled out by the referee for a push on goalie Derek Davies.

This spurred on the Freehold side into life and after Chambers had hit the upright Clarkson scored his second in the 80th minute to make it 3-1.

Phil Bushell then made the game safe for promotion chasing Freehold when he added his side's fourth goal.

It looks as though Arnside will be playing second division football next season when they were held to a 2-2 draw by a lowly Westgate Wanderers side. Arnside was much the better team in the first half and deservedly went into a 2-0 halftime lead with goals by James Kirkham and Mike Smith. Westgate played its best football in the last five minutes of the first half and rattled the Arnside team.

Player/manager Andy Lockley thought he had scored with a terrific 20 yard pile driver in the 43rd minute but his shot hit the bar and went safe, Kevin Burns also went close in the last seconds.

The second half saw Westgate carry on where they left off at the end of the first half, in command. It did not take long before Kevin Burns reduced the arrears when he scored.

Westgate now stepped up a gear and went all out for the equaliser but had to wait until the 80th minute before Stuart Gordon finally put the ball in the net to equalise. Westgate went all out for the winner but it was too late as time ran out on them.

Furness Rovers another side who had been pushing for promotion for most of the season also dropped off the pace when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Morecambe Cricket Club in a poor game. The two highlights of the game was the good goals scored by Furness's leading scorer Joe Leslie and Andy Armistead for the Cricket Club.

Bottom side Galgate Reserves played quite well against Swarthmoor Reserves in its desperate fight to avoid relegation. This game was a must win game to give them a fighting chance to stay up and catch Swarthmoor who are third from bottom. Both sides defended well resulting in the game ending in a 1-1 draw, Steven Wood scored for Galgate and John Marrs for Swarthmoor.

Next to bottom side and one of three who could still go down is Caton United Reserves, they entertained Slyne with Hest (LCC) 'A' a team on the fringe of the relegation battle. A game that Caton secretly thought they could get something out of but they were soon a goal down.
Then at a free-kick Michael Baines had the easy task of heading into the net to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

The second half at last saw Caton attack with more purpose. They almost scored after 55 minutes after some good work down the left wing a shot by Darren Green was brilliantly saved by the Slyne keeper.

Caton did reduce the arrears in the 70th minute when Andy Kehoe headed in from two yards in a goalmouth melee. Slyne were unlucky not to have gone further in front shortly after when a shot from Baines went just over the bar.

Caton threw everyone forward again in an attempt to salvage a point. With just 10 minutes remaining Postlethwaite had a chance to equalise but the pass to him was just behind him and he could not get his foot to it. As it turned out, that was the last chance for either side giving Slyne a deserved 2-1 and safety from relegation.

In Division Three Arnside Reserves are having a big say on who gets promotion beating Halton Rangers Reserves 1-0.

Carnforth Rangers Reserves showed it is after promotion when they changed third place with Gregson after beating them by 6-2.

Leaders Allithwaite Rangers had a much easier win over Bolton le Sands Reserves than they thought at the start of play.

In Division Four leaders Morecambe Gold are still winning games despite the age of the side. They got a bit of a run around in the first half against a youthful Overton Reserves side but came out winners with three second-half goals.

Second placed Moghuls had another excellent win in a very good game against Villa Royale.

AFC Moorlands had a good win to move up to third place after beating a Morecambe Cricket Club Reserves side that ended with 9 players, two being sent off for fighting each other.

Millhead Reserves looked to be on its way to a convincing win over the young Highgrove Colts side when they opened up a 3-0 lead with goals by Steve Wood (2) and Chris Cottam.