IN the Garswood Trophies sponsored Hospital Cup there was, for the first time a preliminary round.York did not upset the form book and consequently won 6-2 at Ramford.

The First Round will now take place on Saturday, October 20.In the league games played, Billinge continued their attack upon the Premiership with a 9-1 away demolition job on Sidac Social who, besides having an early dismissal lost Les Pilling with a nasty hamstring injury. Eccleston United are still showing fine form, Gavin Scott, Paul Thomas and Dave Richardson goals giving them a 3-0 win over Old Congs. Gary Ball hit five for Gerard Arms with Mike Clancy 2, John Williams and Andy Ledger adding to them in a 9-1 slamming of College St Helens. A hat trick from Paul Pierst plus two from Jon Grady helped Shoe to outscore Sportsmans Athletic at home by 5-3, Stubbs, Norman and Ogden goals were the replies from Sporties.

Carr Mill had their best performance so far this season, Paul Drake hitting both goals, although just going under 2-4 to Rainford North End. Cock Face Miners Welfare were held 2-2 at home by Penlake, goals from Clock Face coming from Mark Darwin and Lee Hollinghurst.

Grosvenor Park are now going great guns since their slow start to the season, they continued with a clear-cut 3-0 away win at Hardshaw Argyle, Tony Edge (2) and Martin Edwards goals doing the damage. Also in Division One, Nogs Head, sitting gracefully on top of the table, dominated the game at Ruskin Drive with a 6-0 thumping of Pilkingtons third team, Aidie Barton 3, John Ody, Peter Jackson and Alex McDougall goals doing the trick. Another good result was the 6-0 beating of Prescot Leisure Reserves by Billinge Reserves.

Bull and Dog have definitely gone to the dogs of late, their latest reversal being the 13-1 trouncing at Travellers Rest. Andy Walsh claiming four with others coming via Paul Kelly 3, Lee Tennant and Paul Marshall two apiece and Andy Travis plus Steve Haliwell goals putting the top on. West Sutton Labour had a commendable 4-4 draw at Junction, Marsh, Jacks, Billinge and Tibbins scoring for the home side and the East Sutton goals via Langley, Johnson, Lee Davies and Chorley.

The Sunday Division was rather depleted as the Liverpool CFA Sunday Intermed. Cup First Round also took place.

In league games, AFC Locomotive (Mark Daly 2, Jeff Hickey 4 and John Donnelly) outgunned the Bobbies Lane outfit to go home with a 3-7 win, but Ex-Services United journey to Owens Corning proved fruitless, Owens Corning winning 9-3. Bleak Hill Rovers took the honours at Springfield coming away with a 4-0 win.

In the LCFA Cup-ties, Sportsbar held their heads high, following a 4-1 beating of Group Recreation Ass. York, unfortunately, went out at the hands of Daniel FC, Liam McGuire getting the lone goal in a 5-1 beating. Chalon Lodge also take the honours, a visit to Belfry FC ended after a 5-5 after extra time result, they took the penalty shoot out prize on a 4-3 success to go into Round Two.

RESULTS Saturday, September 22 Star Premier Division: Carr Mill 2 Rainford North End 4, Clock Face Miners 2 Penlake Juniors 2, Sidac Social 1 Billinge FC 9, Eccleston United 3 Old Congs (Haydock) 0, College of St Helens 1 Gerard Arms 9, Shoe FC 5 Sportsmans 3. Division One: Hardshaw Argyle 0 Grosvenor Park 3, Pilkington A 0 Nogs Head 6, Billinge Reserves 6 Prescot Leisure Reserves 0, Travellers Rest 13 Bull and Dog 1, Junction FC 4 West Sutton Labour 4.

Division Two: Market Place 8 Owls Nest 3, Rainford North End Reserves 5 Bowling Green 3, Wheatsheaf 2 Clock Face Miners Reserves 3. Hospital Cup Preliminary Round: Ramford Rangers 2 York FC 6.

Sunday, September 23 Sunday Division: Bobbies Lane 3 AFC Locomotive 7,Owens Corning 9 Ex Services United 3, Springfield 0 Bleak Hill Rovers 4. LCFA Sunday Interm Cup, Round One: Sportsbar 4 Group Recreation Ass 1, Belfry 5 Chalon Lodge 5 (aet) Chalon Lodge won on penalties, Daniel 5 York 1.

FIXTURES Saturday, September 29 Star Premier Division: Rainford North End v Shoe FC, College of St Helens v Carr Mill, Gerard Arms v Sidac Social, Billinge v Eccleston United, Rifle v Clock Face Miners, Penlake Juniors v Sportsmans.

Division One: East Sutton Labour v Pilkington A, Prescot Leisure Reserves v Hardshaw Argyle, Carborundum v Billinge Reserves, Earlestown v Junction, Nogs Head v Grosvenor Park.

Division Two: Bold Miners v Market Place, Owls Nest (Haydock) v Gerard Arms Reserves, Lingholm v Wheatsheaf, Windlehurst v Rainford North End Reserves, Clock Face Reserves v York.

Sunday, September 30 Sunday Division: AFC Locomotive v Ex Services United, Bleak Hill Rovers v Sportsbar, Bobbies Lane v York, Chalon Lodge v East Sutton Labour, Penlake v Springfield.