A HEADER by Rainford North End's Dave Brewer proved decisive as they defeated Sportsman Atheltic 1-0 in their Hospital Cup third round tie.

And in the Star Premier Division, Billinge keeper Chris Jones was the hero of the 2-1 victory over Shoe in their top-of-the-table clash, twice saving from the penalty spot. Although he was eventually beaten by a third penalty, goals from Rob Stroud and Alan Cross saw Billinge home.

In Division One, goals by Seba Doughty and Lee Marsden sealed a 2-0 win for Earlestown over Carborundum, but Gerard Arms Reserves went down 0-4 at home to league leaders Clock Face Miners Welfare.

Grosvenor Park continued their excellent form in Division Two, beating Bowling Green 2-0 with goals from Edge and Hoskins.

There were two Northern Cup ties played with Hammer of Division One going out 1-2 against Zingari outfit Quarry Bank, and Rifle humbled 9-3 at Cambridge FC.

In Sunday Division games, York had a good, but hard-fought 4-2 win at Bleak Hill Rovers.

In a fourth round LCFA Sunday Intermediate Cup-tie, Rose and Crown went out 2-4 to Valour FC.

The Combination Under 18 Inter League squad will attempt to reach their fourth Lancashire FA Championship final on Friday when they travel to Robin Park, Wigan to face Wigan Amateur League.

New faces in the squad will be David Gormally (York), David McNabb (York) and Mark Gavin (Clock Face Miners Welfare) with Martin Bromilow and Danny Eaton returning. All notified players and officials are asked to meet at Birchley Street for a 6.30pm departure.

RESULTS

Star Premier Division: Gerard Arms 0 Penlake 0, Junction 1 College St Helens 7, Nutgrove 1 Eccleston United 3, Sidac Social 0 Old Congs 0, Billinge 2 Shoe 1, East Sutton 1 Carr Mill 3.

Division One: Gerard Arms Reserves 0 Clock Face 4, Earlestown 2 Carborundum 0, Travellers Rest 6 Broad Oak 1, Prescot Leisure Reserves 5 Cowley Hill Park 1, Hardshaw Argyle 8 Nogs Head 0.

Division Two: Grosvenor Park 1 Bowling Green 0, Cowley Hill Reserves 5 Owls Nest 7, Clock Face Reserves 0 Bull and Dog 8, Ramford Rangers 0 Rainford North End Reserves 3, Leach Lane 2 Bold Miners 3.

Northern Cup: Hammer 1 Quarry Bank OB 2, Cambridge 9 Rifle 3.

Garswood Trophies Hospital Cup 3rd round: Sportsmans Athletic 0 Rainford North End 1.

Sunday Division: Bleak Hill Rovers 2 York 4, Bobbies Lane 2 East Sutton Labour 9, Ex Services United 4 Owens Corning 3, Penlake 6 Bold Miners 0.

Liverpool CFA Sunday Interim Cup fourth round: Rose and Crown 2 Valour Youth 4.

FIXTURES

Friday, January 19

Lancashire FC Under 18 Inter League Championship semi-final: Wigan Amateur League v St Helens Combination.: at Robin Park, Wigan, kick-off 8pm.

Saturday, January 20

Hospital Cup fourth round, kick-off 1.30pm: Penlake Juniors v Shoe FC, Bold Miners v College of St Helens.

Hospital Cup third Round, kick-off 1.30pm: Pilkington A v Hammer FC.

Star Premier Division: Old Congs (Haydock) v Eccleston United, Carr Mill FC v Sidac Social, Gerard Arms v Junction FC, East Sutton Labour v Nutgrove FC, Rainford North End v Billinge.

Division One: Earlestown v Clock Face Miners, Billinge Reserves v Travellers Rest, Hardshaw Argyle v Prescot Leisure Reserves, Nogs Head v Broad Oak, Cowley Hill Park v Gerard Arms Reserves, Carborundum v Rifle FC.

Division Two: Grosvenor Park v Ramford Rangers, Owls Nest (Haydock) v Leach Lane, Bowling Green v Cowley Hill Park Reserves, Bull and Dog v Rainford North End Reserves.

Liverpool CFA Intermediate Cup fourth round: Hill Hey OB v Sportsmans Athletic.

Sunday Division: Bold Miners v Deaf Sports and Social, East Sutton Labour v Ex Services United, Owens Corning v York, Rose and Crown v Penlake, Sutton Heath Panthers v Bleak Hill Rovers.