SUPER Saturday came early to the North Lancs League as the two perennial title favourites shared the points at York Road at the weekend.

Much has been said that this year's Premier Division is more open than it has been for several years with perhaps as many as six teams in the mix.

But Storeys and Marsh have already proven that now that the time for talking has ended, they will be the teams to beat.

>> Click play for post-match reaction

Despite the early season feel beforehand, there was no lack of competitiveness as a few tasty early tackles came in with referee David O'Callaghan establishing a firm line from the off.

Marsh probably edged the early proceedings but were unable to open up the Storeys defence and their main threat came from Marc Goulding's set-pieces.

Storeys had no way to deal with them and twice Marsh nearly profited, first when Simon Marshall failed to connect and then when a direct shot flew over.

>> View Gallery for more photographs

The home side came into the game before half-time with Adam Airey and ex-Marsh man Jon Pedder having shots.

One of Storeys' five new faces, Liam Jeffrey had been on the fringe of things but twice after the break he showed his quality, first producing a stinging shot that was saved at the near post and, on 72 minutes, scoring the opening goal.

The ball dropped to Jeffrey, who controlled it with his right foot, spun and fired a left-footed volley past Dave Shorrocks.

It was a great goal but it had its tinge of controversy, the referee sticking by his decision to award the goal despite a linesman's offside flag.

That fired up Marsh and for about 10 minutes they lost their focus only to take what was a deserved point right at the death.

Substitute Jordan Sparks had gone close with a header but, in the 89th minute, his fellow substitute Ryan Hammick produced an excellent low drive that flew into the bottom corner.

For a 16-year-old playing in the heat of a derby match, it was a brilliant effort and showed that whatever pretensions others may have, Storeys and Marsh still look the teams to beat.

Both teams agreed that a point was a fair result over the 90 minutes.

Ian Corless, from Marsh, said: "I can't understand the referee not giving their goal offside when he has been giving offside all game but that was probably a fair result.

"When it gets that late, you think the game is gone but it was a cracking goal from a young 16-year-old lad.

"We have got a good mixture of old and young players and we are optimistic for the season. It will be tight though with a few other teams involved."

Storeys' player-manager Steve Stirzaker said: "I think it was fair but we are gutted to go a goal up with a goal like that, it deserved to be the winner.

"We have got a good young side. We have had a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old in the side and they have done well against some experienced lads from Marsh.

"That goal is why we have got Liam Jeffrey in the side, he is Lancaster City quality and if he can do that in a few games this season I will be happy.

"It was never offside, in a million years," he added.

STOREYS: Rosario, Donahue, Eccles, Byers, Park (capt), Turner, Atkinson, Pedder, Stirzaker (Leslie 84), Jeffrey (A Lund 81), Airey. Unused sub: Miller. Booked: Stirzaker, Jeffrey.

MARSH UNITED: Shorrocks, Parkinson, L Marshall, Green, Hetherington, Hunt, Goulding (capt), A Coulton, Moffat (Hammick 73), S Marshall, K Coulton (J Sparks 58). Unused sub: Reay. Booked: L Marshall, Green, K Coulton.

Referee: D O'Callaghan.

STAR MAN: Liam Jeffrey - his stunning goal is what will live in the memory.

ROUND-UP: NO TEAMS in the Lancaster Honda North Lancashire League Premier Division have a 100 per cent record after the latest series of matches.

TIC Dynamos dropped their first points on Monday in a 0-0 draw at home to Carnforth Rangers.

TIC had Steven Rushworth and Martin Lewis to thank for late goals to secure a 2-0 win over Caton United on Saturday.

Carnforth Rangers had a disappointing weekend overall after they failed to get into the game on Saturday when they hosted Ingleton.

Ingleton's hard work paid off when David Whitfield and Chris Bibby scored in their 2-0 win.

Storeys have made a good start and had an excellent 3-0 win at Morecambe Royals on Monday, Liam Jeffrey scoring twice.

Jeffrey had also been on target on Saturday in Storeys' 1-1 home draw with Marsh United, the striker scoring a stunning volley only for young sub Ryan Hammick to level from 25 yards.

Kirkby Lonsdale, after a 5-0 midweek drubbing against TIC Dynamos, bounced back to beat Galgate – who had a 9-0 midweek win over Caton United – with Nathan Jackson scoring a superb hat-trick for Kirkby.

Morecambe Hoops made the biggest impact on the opening weekend with a 12-1 win over Caton but that has been followed by two defeats.

The first was a 6-3 loss at home to Highgrove on Saturday, Hoops going ahead early on but their hopes fading when they had their keeper sent off.

And on Monday, Hoops were edged out 3-2 by Galgate.

Highgrove won again on Monday, 4-2 over Halton Rangers with Jamie Lothian scoring twice.

Morecambe Royals led 4-0 at the break against Swarthmoor with Mark Murphy scoring a hat-trick. Swarthmoor managed to make it 4-2 after the break.

Swarthmoor lost again on Monday, Cartmel winning 3-0.

In Division One, Bowerham bounced back from losing at Bentham to beat a good College AFC side 2-1, Kasseem Hollids scoring a very late winner.

But Bowerham missed out on Monday, losing 2-1 at Marsh United Reserves.
Bentham kept on winning with a 2-1 victory over a more workmanlike Millhead side.

And Bentham won again on Monday, beating neighbours Ingleton Reserves 3-1 with College AFC and Torrisholme sharing a 1-1 draw on Monday.

In a hurriedly re-arranged game, Torrisholme and Storeys Reserves met for the second time in less than a week.

In midweek, Storeys had no problem in winning 6-0 and in the second Storeys still prevailed 2-1 thanks to Paul Fraser and ex-Torrisholme man Paul Boyle.

Freehold FC have had a bad start and lost their third game in a row against Middleton, who won 2-1, Matthew Burkitt scoring a cracking goal from 25 yards.

Overton FC played really well to overcome Arnside, Stuart Lowther scoring the winner.

Overton followed that up with a 2-0 win over Westgate on Monday.

Westgate Wanderers had picked up their first point with a 2-2 draw with Galgate Reserves with Stuart McClean scoring two.

Furness Rovers lost their first game of the season, 5-2 at Morecambe Cricket Club while Slyne-with-Hest (LCC) A also slipped up, 2-1 at Kirkby Lonsdale Reserves.

Bolton-le-Sands won 4-2 at home to Caton United Reserves.

In Division Three, Halton Rangers Reserves have won their first two, 3-2 against Heysham and then 8-0 against Arnside Reserves with a Richard McDonnell hat-trick.

Burton Thistle lost 5-2 to a young Bentham Reserves side.

Monday saw Gregson and Squires draw 1-1 and Allithwaite win 4-1 at Arnside Reserves.

In Division Four, Villa Royale scored nine, including a Douglas Farquharson hat-trick, to beat Overton Reserves 9-1.

Morecambe Cricket Club Reserves put out a strong side and were too good for College AFc Reserves, winning 6-3, David Riley scoring twice.

The veterans of Morecambe Gold won again, beating Ingleton A. Middleton Reserves continued their good start, five different scorers in a 5-0 win over Heysham Reserves.