ST HELENS Combination outfit Sidac Social progressed into Round Three of the Northern Cup Competition when they came away from Accrington with a creditable 4-2 win over Whinney Hill FC.

Carl Pilling (2), Andy Eaton and Shaun McKeegan scored the vital goals.

It looks like its going to be a tight finish at the top of the St Helens Star Premier Division. Carr Mill, by virtue of a 3-1 away win (Stroud, Hynes and Costello) at Penlake Juniors, are sitting on the summit.

But Shoe FC and Child Reserves, with games in hand, are breathing down their necks.

Shoe had their chances dented though, a 1-3 defeat at Child Reserves, whose goals came from Jeffers, Burton and Gary Moore.

Pilkington Reserves, whose challenge has somewhat fizzled out as of late, dented Gerard Arms outside aspirations, with a first half Barrie Devlin goal that settled the game 1-0. Rainford North End, one time leaders but now in fourth spot, have to thank Stirrup, Brewer and Sinnott goals for a 3-1 success at Carborundum for whom Paul Bulman replied.

Haresfinch Social thumped fellow strugglers Prescot Leisure Reserves 7-0. Shaun Connaughton (2), Darren Gavin (2), Mark Hendry (2) and one from Tony Teeling being responsible.

East Sutton Labour, having resigned their Division Three reserve side, lost at home to Old Congs (Haydock).

In Division One, Chestnut Lodge (Eliot Morgan, John Alderton) were held 2-2 at home by Travellers Rest. Relegation haunted Clock Face Miners Welfare (Shaun Hill) went under 1-2 at home to leaders Nutgrove, Tony Jones and Phil Whittred doing the damage.

Keith Amato was the Billinge scorer but they were beaten 5-1 at Junction because of goals by Dave Fenney (3) and two from Dave Jacks. Paul Tilston hit the late winner for Bowling Green to add to the Dave Richards and Greg Jordan efforts to give his side a 3-2 win at Kendricks Cross for whom Chris Jones got both goals. In Division Two Billinge Reserves have to thank Gary Derbyshire for the goal that gave them a 1-0 win at Pilkington A. Dean Abbott grabbed all three goals for Broad Oak in a 3-2 home win over Bull and Dog, but, Gerard Arms second string, like their senior side, went down at home.

Division Three top side College St Helens were taken to the wire by Grosvenor Park before just running out 2-1 home victors. Jamie Stevens and Jack Woodcroft netted for the students in a tight game, the winner coming with virtually the last kick of the match. Railway Rangers are keeping in touch with College at the top and a 3-1 away beating of Bewsey Athletic keep them within reach, goals coming from Rob Moran, Phil Slater and Ged Swift.

In Sunday Division games, leaders Rose and Crown had a blank day, but York Reserves did not take advantage of this as they were humbled 2-4 at home by Bispham Celtic. York had a lone goal win at East Sutton Labour but Bleak Hill Rovers were pipped 4-5 at home by Owens Corning. Ex Services Rainhill and Penlake were deadlocked at 1-1 while at Sutton Heath, the Panthers edged out Brownedge 2-0. The final game was a 2-2 stalemate between Victoria Rainhill and Racing Rovers.

RESULTS

Northern Cup Competition Round Two: Whinney Hill (Accrington) 2 Sidac Social 4.

St Helens Star Premier Division: Haresfinch Social 7 Prescot Leisure Reserves 0, Carborundum 1 Rainford North End 3, East Sutton Labour 0 Old Congs (Haydock) 1, Child Reserves 3 Shoe FC 1, Gerard Arms 0 Pilkington Reserves 1, Penlake Juniors 1 Carr Mill 3.

Division One: Chestnut Lodge 2 Travellers Rest 2, Clock Face Miners 1 Nutgrove 2, Junction FC 5 Billinge 1.

Division Two: Kendricks Cross 2 Bowling Green 3, Pilkington A 0 Billinge Reserves 1, Broad Oak 3 Bull and Dog 2, Gerard Arms Reserves 0 Clock Face Miners Reserves 4, Top Nogs FC 4 Green Dragon 2.

Division Three: Carr Mill Reserves 4 Hardshaw Argyle 1, College of St Helens 2 Grosvenor Park 1, Leach Lane 4 Trees FC 2, Bewsey FC 1 Railway Rangers 3.

Sunday Division: Bleak Hill Rovers 4 Owens Corning 5, East Sutton Labour 0 York 1, Ex Services Rainhill 1 Penlake 1, Sutton Heath Panthers 2 Brown Edge 0, Victoria Rainhill 2 Racing Rovers 2, York Reserves 2 Bispham Celtic 4. FIXTURES

St Helens Star Premier Division: Rainford North End v Old Congs (Haydock), Prescot Leisure Reserves v Shoe FC, Haresfinch Social v Pilkington Reserves, Carborundum v Carr Mill, East Sutton Labour v Gerard Arms, Child Reserves v Penlake Juniors.

Division One: Eccleston United v Nutgrove, Travellers Rest v Sportsmans Athletic, Sidac Social v Chestnut Lodge, Clock Face Miners v Billinge.

Division Two: Billinge Reserves v Bull and Dog, Bowling Green v Clock Face Miners Reserves, Kendricks Cross v Earlestown (Wellington), Pilkington A v Green Dragon, Gerard Arms Reserves v Top Nogs FC.

Division Three: Hardshaw Argyle v Trees FC, Carr Mill Reserves v Rainford Red Star, College of St Helens v Railway Rangers, Cowley Hill Park v Rainford North End Reserves, Leach Lane v Bewsey FC.

Sunday Division: Bispham Celtic v East Sutton Labour, Brown Edge v York Reserves, Owens Corning v Ex Services Rainhill, Penlake v Rose and Crown, Racing Rovers v Sutton Heath Panthers, York v Bleak Hill Rovers.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.