BLACKBURN under-15s gave their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Lancashire Schools' League Cup a boost when they beat Preston 2-1 at Pleasington.

The local youngsters made a fine start to the game and opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Kieron Hopkinson scrambled the ball home from close range.

Preston hit back equalising mid way through the second half but Blackburn quickly restored their lead with a Simon Farrington goal.

The visitors pressed forward in search of the equaliser but goalkeeper Jamie Evans made two magnificent saves to help secure maximum points for Blackburn.

Blackburn are in cup action this weekend travelling to Mid-Cheshire for their North West Alder-Owen Cup first round clash.

Hyndburn under-15s hit the goal trail beating Blackpool in a league match.

Gary Bowker gave Hyndburn the lead after eight minutes but the Seasiders bounced back to equalise after 15 minutes.

Bowker added his second to give his side a 2-1 half-time lead and the Hyndburn youngsters went on a second half goal spree adding another four from Jamie Robertson (2), Anthony Cairney and Ian Keane.

Hyndburn have another league match travelling to meet Pendle at Barnoldswick FC.

Rossendale under-15s Lancashire League match at Burnley last week was postponed but they have quickly rearranned for it to be played this weekend.

Blackburn under-14s started their New Year programme in style with a 1-0 win against Preston in a Lancashire Schools' Wrennal League match.

Blackburn dominated the early stages with Scott Carlton and James Tilsley both forcing good saves from the Preston keeper before Michael Aspin broke the deadlock with a fine individual goal.

Blackburn were forced back by a lively Preston side after the break but goalkeeper Josh Simpson made two superb saves to help his side to a 1-0 win.

Rossendale under-14s suffered a cup knockout going down 4-2 to Salford in the first round of the North West Woodward Trophy at Broughton.

The local lads suffered an early set back after 10 minutes when Michael Kubakuba shot home from 10 yards and they went further behind to an Ian Loy goal before opening their account through Simon Holt goal before the break.

Kubakuba restored Salford's two goal advantage ten minutes into the second half but Rossendale grabbed their second through Oliver Birleson before Kubakuba completed his hat-trick to give Salford a 4-2 win.

At county level, goals from Sam Pope (St. Mary's College, Preston) and Ryan Salmon (Runshaw College, Leyland) couldn't prevent Lancashire under-19s from going down 3-2 to Merseyside in their Northern Counties group match at Liverpool Soccer Centre.

The under-19s fared better in their next match beating West Yorkshire 3-2 with goals coming from Lewis Jordan (Myerscough College, Preston), Salmon and Steven Drew (Preston College).

Lancashire complete their Northern Counties against Greater Manchester at Stanley Park, Blackpool on Saturday, January 26.