THE St Helens Combination's fixture back-log is now at a serious level following the near wash-out of the weekend's matches.

Only three league and a Rainford Potteries semi-final got off the ground on Saturday. The Potteries semi-final ended in a 3-0 penalty shootout success for Billinge Reserves, after an extra time 2-2 stalemate against Gerard Arms Reserves at Billinge.

In the league Lee McVey hit the goal for Prescot BICC Reserves in a 1-1 draw at home to Rainford North End. Also in the St Helens Star Premiership, Gerard Arms (John Lyon) were held 1-1 at home by Pilkington Reserves.

The only other league game played in the Divisions One, Two and Three was a 3-0 home win for Penlake, goals from, Stevie Huckle (2) and Chris Marsh, over an in-form Junction, who gave the title-chasing Penlake lads a hard time.

The Northern Cup game, in which Division one Chestnut Lodge faced a trip to Stafford to take on Florence Social FC was called off because of snow on the pitch.

The entire Sunday League, Premier and First Division, was also a wash-out. This Wednesday, the first of the Garswood Trophies Hospital Cup semi-finals is due to take place a Prescot Cables FC's Valerie Park ground, kick off 7.30pm when Premiership champions Child take on Hall Street Union, at present hunting the Division Two title.

The second semi-final is due to follow next Wednesday Match 17, at the same venue, Prescot Cables FC also at 7.30pm kick off with an all Premier Division clash between popular Rainford North End and the experienced Shoe FC.

The final is scheduled, as normal on Good Friday morning at St Helens Town FC, Hoghton Road, kick off 11.15am.

The Division Cups, the DH Griffiths and Tom Worrall Cup, will now be competed for in straight kick-out rounds now that time is running out for these competitions, there will NOT be replays, but extra time and penalties, if need be, will decide each tie.

The Open Age Inter League tie with Bolton Combination was called off last Tuesday as Atherton LR ground was unfit - a new date from Bolton is now awaited. RESULTS

St Helens Star Premier Division: Prescot BICC Reserves 1 Rainford North End 1, Gerard Arms 1 Pilkington Reserves 1.

Division Two: Penlake Juniors 3 Junction FC 0.

Rainford Potteries Cup: Billinge Reserves 2 Gerard Arms 2 (aet) Billinge won after penalties. FIXTURES

D H Griffiths Cup First Round: Chestnut Lodge v Shoe FC (S Shaw), Engine FC v Child Reserves (P Sephton), Rifle FC v Haresfinch Social (R Deakin), Child FC v Pilkington Reserves (D Deluce), Anchor FC v Rainford North End (H Ireland), Beeches Reserves v Carborundum (R Murray).

Tom Worrall Cup First Round: Sportsmans v Prescot BICC A, Glassblowers v Pilkington A (T O'Neil), Rainford North End Reserves v Grosvenor Park (D Forber), Nutgrove v Hall Street Union (T Swift), Broad Oak v Earlestown (M Graham), Red Star Rainford v Cowley Hill Park (M Cammack), Bull and Dog v Agrevo (E Johnson), Leach Lane v East Sutton Labour Reserves (L Smith).

In the event of a draw the above ties will be subject to 15 minutes each way extra time, followed by the FIFA penalty rule if required. A result must be obtained on the day.

St Helens Star Premier Division: Prescot BICC Reserves v Gerard Arms (G O'Brien).

Division One: College Street v Clock Face Miners (P Healey), Billinge FC v Junction (J Goodwin), Old Congs (Haydock) v Sidac Social.

Division Two: Clock Face Reserves v West Bank (A Burrows), Trees FC v Eccleston united (A Barnes).

March 17

Hospital Cup semi-final: Rainford North End v Shoe FC at Prescot FC.

Sunday Premier Division: Owens Corning Ravenhead v Oddfellows, Rose and Crown v Ex Services (Rainhill), Toll Bar v East Sutton Labour.

Division One: Athletico Nelson v Brownedge, Penlake v Bispham Celtic, Racing Rovers v Victoria (Rainhill).

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