CROSFIELDS showed they have lost none of their magic by kicking off the new Warrington Soccer League season in style.

Last season's Premier Division runners-up Crosfields won 4-2 at Halebank.

New signing Ian Pickett from Winwick Utd marked his debut with two first half goals and this was followed up with second half strikes from Paul Atherton and Carl Eastup.

The two promoted sides Winwick Utd and Blackbrook found themselves in opposition with each other and honours ended even as they battled out a 1-1 draw.

Winwick went ahead on the stroke of half-time when the ageless Brian Mannion rattled in a penalty. Blackbrook's Neil Highcock equalised with just five minutes remaining.

In the only other Premier match played Golborne Sports and Sidac Social drew 2-2.

In Division One, Monk Sports and Runcorn Albion cancelled each other out in a 1-1 scoreline. James Rush and Carl Stephens were their respective team's marksmen.

Newly promoted Irlam Catholic Club started their season in style by overcoming Halfway 3-2 thanks to a late winner from Daniel Butters.

Earlier in the game Paul Bell had put them ahead. Geoff Singleton then squandered a penalty kick which would have made the scoreline 2-0, then Halfway edged in front with efforts from Tony Curtis and David Lunt only for Dave Carlisle to equalise but Irlam had the last laugh with Butters' winning effort.

Cheshire Grange, who were relegated last season, gained an impressive 1-0 win at Vulcan while another 1-0 scoreline saw East Leigh gain maximum points at Grappenhall Sports.

Only two matches were played in the reserve sections. Padgate St. Oswalds were crumpled 3-0 at home to Daten Reserves.

Safeways and Lymm Rangers ended all square at 1-1. Safeways took the lead in the 80th minute through Paul Barnett only for Lymm to equalise two minutes from time with a Francis Egan penalty.

Any club wanting details of their matches published should contact the League Hotline on 01925 814420 between the end of their game and 8pm.

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