WINTER came early as five matches in the Warrington Soccer League programme were postponed due to waterlogged pitches on Saturday.

Top of the Premier Division saw Crosfields and Whiston Cross clash. Prior to this game both teams boasted 100 per cent records.

Whiston came out on top 3-1 and avenged their defeat by Crosfields in last season's GUARDIAN Cup final.

Moorfield won their derby match at Halton Borough 2-1 thanks to a Gary Fletcher strike and a Stephen MacFayden penalty.

Golborne Sports and St. Michaels shared the spoils in a 1-1 scoreline, this being Golborne's fifth consective draw.

Newcomers to the league Owens Corning are setting the first division alight having a 100 per cent record from their first five games.

Their latest victims were Vulcan whom they overcame 3-1.

Fearnhead's Johnny Brennan claimed his first hat-trick and with Paul Atherton and Matthew Topping also netting they ran out 5-1 winners over Runcorn Albion.

Super sub Mike Tilling was Grappenhall's hero as he scored the only goal of the game at Monk Sports.

In Division Two, Orford Youth Club had to come from 4-1 down to overcome Lockers 6-4.

Darren Walsh led the way with a quadruple and there was one apiece from Gary Walsh and Paul Quarmby.

Norlands gained their first league point of the season by beating "Dad's Army" Spartak 3-2. The visitors did not help themselves as Mike Bradley missed a penalty but did find the net through Andy Taylor and Mark Kennedy.

Lymm Dynamoes of Division Three have struck a rich vein. Their 5-2 win over Silver Birch puts them in top spot. Clock Face and Safeways cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. Dave Holden scored for the visitors and old timer Frank McDonald netted for Clock Face. Man of the match was another veteran, Andrew Lloyd, a home team defender.

Crontonians made it two wins in a row by easily outgunning St. Benedicts 6-1. A treble here for Lee Holmes, a brace from Carl Sherlock and one by Phil Jackson.

Penketh Utd went down 3-1 at Runcorn Villa despite hitting the woodwork four times and Phil Newton getting their consolation effort.

The Reserve Sections saw Irlam Catholic Club slam Winwick 7-1. Mark Taylor led the way with three. Mark McNulty two with one each coming from Simon Roper and Christian Edlinger with the home team's effort from Leigh Hill.

The main feature of this game saw the introduction of the first woman referee to officiate in this league, Caroline Matthews, who has recently moved back to the Warrington area from London.

For the second successive week Fearnhead's star striker Andy Sharkey slammed in a hat-trick. James Conn weighed in with a double and Lewis Byrne one as they came away with a 6-4 victory at Eagle Sports. Grappenhall's Fergus Wiseman's double gave his team a share of the spoils in their 2-2 draw with Blackbrook.

Despite efforts from Michael White, Paul Hunter and Derek Mullarkey, Moorfield crashed 4-3 against neighbours Halton Borough.

Steve Lane of Moore was the villain as he missed a spot kick. Barry Dobbs did find the net later in the game from another penalty but all to no avail as they crashed 3-1 at home to Daten fourth.

Champions Cup

WARRINGTON Soccer League's Whiston Cross are through to the final of the Champions Cup.

They will face Winstanley St. Aidens, champions of last year's Wigan League, in the inter-league final tomorrow, Saturday, at Vulcan Newton, Wargrave Road, Newton, kick-off 3pm.

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