BARNOLDSWICK Town finally got to play their first North West Counties League Premier Division game of the season, and it was worth the wait, as they won 3-2 at home to Squires Gate.

Some sides had already played two games in the division, but with a couple of Town players testing positive for coronavirus a week before the planned opener on October 3, their games against Ashton Athletic and Burscough had to be postponed.

But they shone on their return to action.

All the goals were scored in a thrilling first half against Squires Gate, one which saw Barlick come from 2-0 down to stun their opponents, netting three times in an 11-minute spell.

Andrew Howarth opened the scoring for the visitors after 19 minutes, before Dean Ing doubled their lead soon after.

But as is so often the case, the prolific Zack Dale got his name on the scoresheet for Barnoldswick, making it 2-1 after 29 minutes.

Alex Ralph equalised moments later with a stunning strike, and then, five minutes before the break, Gareth Hill put the hosts in front for the first time.

Squires Gate almost equalised on a couple of occasions after the break, and Barlick were indebted to a fine save from Jack Little to deny Ing his second on 77 minutes.

Andy Hill's time-wasting saw him sin-binned in stoppage time for Barnoldswick, but it mattered little in the end, with the home side taking all three points and rocketing up to third in the table.

They are back in action tomorrow night at home to 1874 Northwich.