THE Warrington Saturday Soccer League kicked off the season last weekend with a mini programme.

Last season's Premier Division champions, Sidac Social, started the new campaign with a 2-0 win over Eagle Sports, thanks to a Graham Mitchell double. Elsewhere in this division, Daten enjoyed a 2-0 success at Halebank, while Vulcan and Whiston Cross shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

In Division One, Sasib overcame Monk Sports 3-1 and goals came from Mark Williams, Ian Senior and Malcolm Saunders, with Brian Ruane replying for the visitors. An Adam Dakin netbuster gave Moore Utd a 1-0 win over Irlam Catholic Club.

Grappenhall Sports' Phil Collins scored but to no avail, as they crashed 3-1 at Runcorn Albion.

Last season's relegated clubs, Moorfield and Blackbrook both won. Moorfield thrashed Winwick 7-2, while Blackbrook beat Fearnhead 2-1, their winning efforts coming courtesy of Andy Wadilove and David Picton, while Paul Livesey netted for the losers on his debut.

In Division Two Safeway overcame Beeches 3-2, although they nearly came unstuck at the end. Safeway raced into a 3-0 lead, thanks to a 30-yard piledriver from Paul Williamson and one apiece from Paul Barnett and Phil Wilson. However, Beeches came back strongly, netting twice in the last five minutes, but Safeway managed to hold out to secure the points.

There was a winning start for Crontonians in Division Three against Croft. David Cannon and Ray Mason got the all important goals in their 2-1 success.

The 'derby' in the Reserve Section One match between Whiston Cross and Sidac Social ended 2-2, with Neil Houghton and Dennis Hussey getting the visitors' goals.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.