THE big match in the Premier Division was the clash between last season's top two, Crosfields and Whiston Cross.

Whiston won 5-1, thus inflicting on Crosfields their first league defeat of the season.

Tony Holden was the star of the show with a hat-trick which was added to by a Stephen Keogh penalty and an effort by Andrew Hayes.

Leaders Sidac Social just scraped through 2-1 at the expense of neighbours Blackbrook, the losers consolation effort coming from Shaun Dodson.

An excellent 3-1 win for Riverplate at Halebank. Brendan Hennessey, Ian Whitfield and a scorcher from outside the box by Dave Houghton settled the issue.

Last week's joint leaders Halton Borough slipped into fourth position after being held at home to a goalless draw with Eagle Sports.

Moore Utd are now 11 points clear in Division One. Their latest scalps were Monk Sports. They had to do it the hard way turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win. Brothers Scott and Kris Taylor and a Philip Cunningham penalty were the creditors.

Second placed Grappenhall Sports crashed at Sasib 4-1. Paul Oakes led the way for Sasib with a treble but blotted his copy book by missing a penalty. Shaun Corrigan was also on target with Grappenhall's reply coming courtesy of Kevin Chambers.

Irlam Catholic Club had a terrific 8-1 win at Runcorn Albion. Anthony McMahon netted a brace while there were others from Anthony Hodgeson, Dave Pyke, Peter Mills, Michael Miller, David Boardman and Lee Curtis.

Silver Birch maintained their 100 per cent record in Division Three with their latest victims being Crontonians whom they overcame 2-1.

Three second half goals gave Safeway a 3-1 win at Dallam Alliance, their goal rammers being Paul Fearnley, Jason Roberts and Micky Pitts.

Halton Borough Reserves got back to a winning groove with a 3-2 success at Sidac Reserves. Mark Southern, Michael Higginson and a 30 yard free kick pile driver from Paul Withers secured them maximum points.

Not so good for the third and fourth strings. The thirds went down 2-1 at home to Rainhill Town Reserves. Lee Cullerton being their lone marksman, while a Stuart Dignall brace was not enough for the fourth team as they were beaten 5-2 by a rampant Moore Reserves outfit. Their strikeforce were Paul Wheeldon, two, Carl Miller, Darren Higgins and Darren Whatmough.

A brilliant goalkeeping display by 16-year-old Nathan Duxbury earned his side Sasib Reserves a point at Ford Reserves in a 1-1 draw.

Jimmy Shakeshaft hit the bulls eye for Sasib.

Neil Highcock's strike for Blackbrook Reserves was the only bright spot as his team were outgunned 4-1 at home against Golborne Sports Reserves.

Peter McKenna was Irlam Catholic Club's lone striker in their 3-1 demise at Moorfield third.

Safeway's Dave Gallop's treble helped his team to a 5-0 win over Burtonwood. The other hatchetmen were Steven Burton and Paul Williamson.

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