LAST season's Premiership champions College St Helens have hit rock bottom this term so far.

A 0-8 battering by Billinge on Saturday was the latest disaster for them. Robbie Stroud headed the scoring, hitting six of the best with Andy Rowe and Mike Pilkington chipping in with the other two.

Shoe won a hectic game at Clock Face Miners Welfare 3-2, with Ian Martin and Brian King grabbing the Clock Face goals.

Nick Tabern and Anthony Burgess got on the sheet for Sportsmans Athletic in a 2-0 away win at Carr Mill. Gerard Arms have to thank ex-Carr Mill player Gary Ball for a single goal home win over Rainford North End. In a fixture switched to Haydock, Keith Barker's goal for Old Congs was not enough to prevent Rifle from winning 2-1.

Eccleston United's fine form seems to be continuing with a 4-1 away thumping of Sidac Social, Gavin Scott continuing his goal spree by hitting a hat-trick, Gary Hughes competing the tally.

In Division One Graham Billinge's hat-trick, followed up by goals from Dave Fenney, Andy Tubbins and Dave Jacks was responsible for Junction's 6-1 win over Nogs Head. Billinge Reserves were held 1-1 at home by unbeaten Grosvenor Park.

Although Ian Bates was son target for East Sutton Labour, they were edged out 2-1 at Parr Stocks by Earlestown (Wellington). Bull and Dog (Ian Tonge (2), and Yiggit Ismail) could not quite hold Carborundum at Bobbies Lane, going under 4-3. Chris Bickerstaffe hit a fine goal for Pilkington A but they lost 1-2 at home to Hardshaw Argyle.

Division Two high flyers, Market Place continued their fine form with a 6-0 win at Ramford Rangers. Owls Nest won by the same scoreline at Windlehurst, but Lingholme could not hold Bold Miners who took the points with a 6-1 away win. Gerard Arms Reserves (Bardbury (2), Murphy, Loughton, Crehan and Akehurst) demolished Bowling Green 7-2 and York, going well after their opening day loss, ran out 4-0 winners away at Rainford North End Reserves.

In Sunday Division matches, Paul Houghton 2, Neil Houghton, C Jones scored for East Sutton Labour in a 4-1 home win over Owens Corning.

Chalon Lodge won 2-0 at York, while Penlake demolished AFC Locomotive by 8-0. In a tight game at Bobbies Lane, the home team (Anth Burgess) went under with goals from Mike Forsyth (2) and Martin Bromiley 1-3 to Bleak Hill Rovers. Sportsbar just edged out Ex Services United 3-2 at home.

Next Saturday, two Combination sides face Liverpool opponent in Round One of the LCFA Intermediate Cup. Billinge travel to face Turpins FC and Prescot Leisure Reserves also travel, they visit Home Office FC, all other clubs having byes.

The Combination are holding a Sportsmans Dinner on Friday, October 12, the venue again will be Greenalls Social Club, Alder Hey Road. Top speaker will be the popular Gordon Banks - World Cup winning goalkeeper. Tickets will be £25 per head and President Bert Rawsthorne is the man to contact on 01744 732052 and Treasurer Derek Cleveland 0151 426 1164 will also take orders for tickets and table bookings.

All clubs, still not having proved their insurance cover, have only got until the next league meeting on Monday, September 17 to do so. A heavy fine and fixture suspension is imminent if failing to do so.

Division Two 'new' outfit Sutton Heath have now decided that they cannot continue their committance, and have tendered their resignation.

RESULTS

Star Premier Division: Rifle FC 2 Eccleston United 3, Rainford North End 3 Sportsmans FC 3, Old Congs (Haydock) 6 Carr Mill 1, Billinge 1 Penlake Juniors 1, Gerard Arms 1 Shoe FC 0.

Division One: Bull and Dog 0 Nogs Head 2, Junction 4 Travellers Rest 3, Prescot Leisure Reserves 1 Grosvenor Park 3, Earlestown 2 Billinge Reserves 3, Carborundum 3 Pilkington (A) 0.

Division Two: Bold Miners 1 Bowling Green 5, Owls Nest 3 Wheatsheaf 3, Windlehurst 0 Market Place 9, Gerard Arms Reserves 1 Ramford Rangers 0, Lingholme FC 2 Rainford North End Reserves 2.

Star Premier Division: Sidac Social 1 Eccleston United 4, Old Congs (Haydock) 1 Rifle FC 2, Gerard Arms 1 Rainford North End 0, Carr Mill 0 Sportsmans 2, Clock Face Miners 2 Shoe FC 3, College of St Helens 0 Billinge FC 8.

Division One: Junction FC 6 Nogs Head 1, Billinge Reserves 1 Grosvenor Park 1, East Sutton Labour 1 Earlestown 2, Carborundum 4 Bull and Dog 3, Pilkington (A) 1 Hardshaw Argyle 2.

Division Two: Lingholme 1 Bold Miners 6, Windlehurst 0 Owls Nest (Haydock) 6, Ramford Rangers 0 market Place 6, Gerard Arms Reserves 7 Bowling Green 2, Rainford North End Reserves 0 York Reserves 4.

Sunday Division: Bobbies Lane 1 Bleak Hill Rovers 3, East Sutton Labour 4 Owens Corning 1, Penlake 8 AFC Locomotive 0, Sportsbar 3 Ex Services United 2, York 0 Chalon Lodge 2.

FIXTURES

Saturday, September 15

Star Premier Division: Sportsmans FC v Eccleston United, Rifle FC v Carr Mill, Rainford North End v Sidac Social, Penlake Juniors v Shoe FC, Old Congs (Haydock) v College of St Helens.

Division One: Bull and Dog FC v Pilkington (A), East Sutton Labour v Billinge Reserves, Earlestown v Carborundum, Nogs Head v Hardshaw Argyle.

Division Two: Bold Miners v Rainford North End Reserves, Owls Nest (Haydock) v Lingholme, Clock Face Reserves v Ramford Rangers, Windlehurst FC v Wheatsheaf FC, Bowling Green v York Reserves.

Liverpool CFA Intermediate Cup, Round One: Turpins FC v Billinge, Home Office v Prescot Leisure Reserves.

Sunday, September 16.

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