TWO Combination starlets, Mark Evans (Pilkingtons) and Stephen Abbott (Penlake Juniors), gave a good account of themselves for the Liverpool CFA Youth side on Saturday despite the team going out of the County Youth Championships at the first hurdle 3-1 to Sheffield and Hallamshire at Barnsley.

In the first round of the Garswood Trophies Hospital Cup Andy Eaton (3), Mark Eaton (2), Carl Pilling (2) and Ian McKeegan scored in an 8-1 away win for Sidac Social at Billinge. Peter Yates (2) and Neil Kenyon (2) goals were responsible for a 4-3 home win by Cowley Hill Park over Division One outfit Travellers Res who missed a last-minute penalty.

Grosvenor Park (Edge, 2, Caine and Edwards) edged out the Meek stalwarts 4-3 while Broad Oak's Paul Hopwood helped himself to five goals and Paul Abbott netted the other in a 6-2 elimination of West Bank. Newcomers Railway Rangers had too much energy for Top Nogs winning 4-1.

In an extra-time thriller at Rainhill, Bewsey Athletic just sneaked through 2-1 and in a 13-goal spree at Clock Face, the Miners just edged out much-improved Division Three outfit Trees FC by 7-6.

Rainford Potteries first round first leg games also took place with Pilkington A team gaining a 4-0 advantage over East Sutton Reserves, Ian Murray hitting a hat-trick. Clock Face Reserves defeated Gerard Arms Reserves 4-3 while Billinge Reserves and Rainford NE Reserves battled out a 1-1 draw.

In the Premier Division Pilkington Reserves went under 0-1 at home to Haresfinch Social, while Carborundum slumped 1-6 at Carr Mill, goals from Martin Hynes (2), Shaun Tickle, Paul Mangan, Andy North and Shane Callaghan doing the damage. Shoe FC hammered a weak Prescot Leisure Reserves side 7-0 at Parr Stocks, but Haydock Old Congs were pipped 2-3 by Penlake Juniors. Marsh (3), Clancy (2) and Lawton were on target for Gerard Arms in a 6-2 beating of East Sutton Labour.

In an energetic tussle at Bobbies Lane, Penlake Juniors and Child Reserves thrashed out a 2-2 deadlock.

The lone Division One fixture ended with a 4-2 home success for Nutgrove over Eccleston United.

In the Sunday Division, Rose and Crown boast a 100 per cent record after four games and have an aggregate of 23-4 following their 6-0 demolition job on new outfit Bleak Hill Rovers for whom it was a first reversal of the season. Penlake had the edge in a hard game against East Sutton Labour, a 4-1 win giving them the points. Pate, Webber and Moss got on the scoresheet for York in a 3-2 home win over Sutton Heath Panthers. Victoria (Rainhill)'s journey to Upholland to face Bispham Celtic was partially successful, but they were held 3-3 by the youthful and keen Celtic side. Brownedge were taken off their guard at Bobbies Lane and went down 1-2 at home to Racing Rovers.

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