THE Combination's Premier Division Champions of last season, Penlake got off to a flying start last Saturday. Kevin McNabb and Frank Jeffers grabbing their goals.

York, at their new base Ecclesfield, just edged out the Haydock Old Congs outfit by 5-4 with strikes from Andy Innelli, Thompson (2), Gill and Addison. A much strengthened Sidac Social side were too good for re-elected co-club Ecclesfield United, goals from Andy Eaton (2), Carrick, Goldthorpe, Holt and Stevens giving them a 6-3 margin at Ecclesfield.

Billinge and Grosvenor Park battled out a 3-3 stalemate at Billinge whose goals came from Mark Roberts, Chris Wiggins and John Stanley.

In the Allfast sponsored Division One, a high scoring deadlock 4-4 divided the points between Bull & Dog and Wheatsheaf. Newcomers Carr's Hotel got off on a winning trail by beating Market Place 4-2 with goals from Lee Tompkins (2), Jay Philips and Karl Haase.

Another new outfit, British Lion, did not do so well, they went under 3-5 at home to a strong Junction side, although their goals were excellent efforts from Mike Parr (2) and Steve McKenzie. Dave Jacks (2), Graham Billinge and Stuart Whittingham were the Junction marksmen.

Underwood (3) and Dryhurst (2) shared the goals for Prescot Leisure Reserves in a 5-2 home win over Gerard Arms.

Globe, thanks to Marshall and Osbourne goals, just had the better of Pilkington A by 2-0, but Clock Face Miners Reserves were beaten 1-3 at home by newcomers West Park Eccy's Arms with goals for the Eccy's coming from Langshaw, Taggart and J Highton.

The Division Two, sponsored this term by Hatton Travel held a few surprises, none more than the 0-8 walloping of Billinge Colts, by Moss Bank.

This season, there will be extended mid-week games running into the second week in September, thus giving the new clubs a prolonged beginning to the season and a time to 'bed-in'.

As in previous season, the Combination has had a very talented Under 18 representative outfit and there should be no reason why it cannot continue to do so.

Will club secs, who think they have on board lads worthy of this selection, please contact Under 18 manager Stephen Magowan on 01744 612531 or chairman Eric Bond on 01942 723221.

Results, Saturday, August 23

Star Premier Division: York 5 Old Congs 4, Penlake Juniors 4 Clock Face Miners 0, Eccleston United 3 Sidac Social 6, Billinge 3 Grosvenor Park 3.

Allfast Division One: Bull and Dog 4 Wheatsheaf 4, Globe 2 Pilkington A 0, Carrs Hotel 4 Market Place 2, British Lion 3 Junction 5, Clock Face Miners Reserves 1 West Park Eccy Arms 3, Prescot Leisure Reserves 5 Gerard Arms 2.

Hatton Travel Division Two: Lingley 0 Smithy Manor 1, Glassmakers 4 Sony 6, Carborundum 2 Rainford North End Reserves 1, Roundhouse 9 New Street 1, Billinge Colts 0 Moss Bank 8, Market Place Reserves 6 Orange House 2, Top Nogs 3 Grove United 0.

Fixtures

Saturday, August 30

Star Premier Division: York v Penlake Juniors (M Cammack), Eccleston United v Rainford North End (N Hanmer), Sidac Social v Billinge (G Strange), Clock Face Miners v The Stars (B Dixon), Child v Grosvenor Park (G O'Brien), Old Congs v Windle Labour (P Russell).

Allfast Division One: Globe v Prescot Leisure Reserves (D Deluce), Carrs Hotel v Bull & Dog (P Forrest), Market Place v Gerard Arms (D Forber).

Hatton Travel Division Two: Carborundum Eagles v Lingley (D Pilkington), Roundhouse v Market Place Reserves (T Bell), New Street v Billinge Colts (R Millar), Sony v Moss Bank (J Duffy), Smithy Manor v Orange House (I Foxcroft).

Tuesday, September 2

Star Premier Division: York v The Hotel (W Carlton), The Stars v Sidac Social (S Jones), Billinge v Eccleston United (D Deluce), Penlake Juniors v Rainford North End (G Barker), Shoe v Old Congs (R McClintock).

Allfast Division One: Bull & Dog v Globe (I Foxcroft), Junction v Market Place (B Dixon), British Lion v West Park Eccy Arms (J Blackburn), Clock Face Miners Reserves v Carrs Hotel (T Bell), Prescot Leisure Reserves v Wheatsheaf (P Forrest).

Hatton Travel Division Two: Lingley v Glassmakers (K Birch), Moss Bank v Rainford North End Reserves (C Platt), Grove United v New Street (I Woodward), Billinge Colts v Roundhouse (P Russell), Market Place Reserves v Carborundum Eagles (D Forber), Top Nogs v Smithy Manor (D Rose).