LEIGH League officials have been rocked by the resignation of Division One outfit Astley Villa.

For a team to call it a day so far into the season is a shock to everyone but, according to league secretary Malc Blakeley, the main man at the club had little option.

"I feel really sorry for Tony Brough who ended up running everything on his own," says Blakeley.

"He had lost a lot of players and it was becoming more and more difficult to put aside out. He tried his best, we know that, but we received notice of their resignation on Friday."

The Astley outfit had played 14 games this season but had won just one and drawn three. Blakeley now has the onerous task of going through league statistics to expunge all entries relating to Villa which could have a significant impact on the Leading Goalscorers chart.

Meanwhile, Leigh Avenue sealed a place in the semi-finals of the Redwaters Cup as a Steve Ackers hat-trick, two from Craig Faulkner and one from Paul Banks sealed a 6-2 away victory at Division Two side Hag Fold WMC. Gary Farnworth and Aaron Green scored for the losers.

AFC Limelight also made the last four with Martin Hughes, John Walters, Matt Pollard, Paul Cooper and Rob Dransfield earning a 5-1 home win over Courts B, Matt Disley the consolation scorer for the losers.

For once this season league and cup favourites Higher Folds got the upper hand in a game and were made to struggle. Division Two outfit Howe Bridge Mills conceded early goals to the Division One leaders which were put away by Neil Clayton and Steve Harris but then shut up shop. Fold who have seemed to make a habit this term of going behind and bouncing were faced with the opposite scenario and they only just managed to hang on in that second period after David Hogan had reduced the arrears for Mills on 70 minutes. It was a gallant attempt indeed from the Atherton outfit but they went out beaten 2-1.

In Division One, Church Inn won 3-0 away at Courts A with goals from Gary Nugent, Dave Morrison and Mark Spencer. Gary James and Jason Caldwell both scored twice and Mark Mather once in Leigh Sportsmen's 5-2 away win at Moonraker who at one stage had led 2-1 with goals from Steve Anderton and Dennis Hilton.

The Division Two programme saw Fir Tree Rangers stumble in their attempts to catch Atherton C&N at the top of the table being held 2-2 at home by Sailors and Soldiers. Twice the Atherton side led through Andy Elvin and Damien Atherton with Rangers goals coming from Paul Rampling on 27 minutes and the second equaliser 10 minutes from time by John Bailey.

The leaders, C&N now have a five point lead at the top as goals from Ryan Shaw (2) and Mick Langin earned a 3-1 home win over Asda Golborne. Darren Evans got the consolation strike for the losers. An Andy Tipping hat-trick and a goal from Anthony Barnes saw Horns Inn to a 4-1 win at Mechanics Arms, Anthony Kedward the home team scorer.

Tomorrow sees the staging of the Davenport Cup quarter-finals with two Division One teams facing tough away assignments as lower graded opposition.

Second in the Division Two table Fir Tree Rangers will relish the opportunity to take on visitors Leigh Sportsmen as will Howe Bridge Mills at home to Britannia. Division Two leaders Atherton C&N have a difficult away trip to a side which seems to delight in upsetting the form book Sir Charles Napier whilst in the one all First Division clash Leigh Avenue will be looking to upset visitors Higher Folds.