LFA Amateur Cup

ONLY three teams out of nine local representatives survived to reach the last 16 of the LFA Amateur Cup.

Nearly all the local sides were pitted against Merseyside opposition and flying the flag loud and proud with one of the best results of the day was Old Bolts. who registered an impressive 5-2 victory at Zingari League side East Villa.

Two goals from Jules Ellis had Bolts 2-1 up early in the second half but under intense pressure, two 16 years old substitutes, Chris Merritt and Lee Hanson, helped ease the tension with the former scrambling in the third and scoring a beauty for the fourth. Dave Haslam got Bolts' fifth but it was keeper Andy Lees who won the man of the match nomination.

Leigh Athletic stormed through with a fine 5-2 home win over Wardle despite playing the second half with nine men after Brian Edwards and Nicky Prescott were sent off. Danny Wilson scored two, brother Rick one and Gordon Walker also netted twice.

Up there with Bolts in terms of achievement were Rivington, 4-0 victors at Merseyside Police, who with 11 triumphs hold the record for Amateur Cup wins. Richard Collier scored the opener on 35 minutes and Craig Walkden hit the second on 55 minutes with a 35 yarder after spotting the keeper off his line. Gary Holden made the third and fourth, Collier netting his second on 65 minutes and man of the match Chris Tong rounding it of on 80 minutes.

That was the last of the local good news as Bolton Lads Club went down 4-3 in extra time at Lancs and Cheshire League champions Heywood Town. They had battled back to 3-3 from 3-1 with Dave Warburton scoring twice and Dave Hanson netting a screamer from 35 yards.

Horwich RMI never produced the required service to the front two and bowed out beaten 2-0 at Aigburth Peoples Hall, while Kevin Holbrook got his 12th goal of the season and the man of the match vote in Radcliffe Amateurs' 3-1 defeat at Speke. Sladians went down 7-0 at Aintree Villa, Walkden 4-1 at home to Mossley Hill Athletic, Mark Morris getting the consolation goal, and Hindley lost 2-0 at Gregorians.

The draw for Round Four will be on Thursday morning with details available on the LFA ansaphone number 01772 624126 from noon onwards. Lancs Amateur

League

LAL Late goals sink Lever THREE goals in the last ten minutes saw Little Lever go down 3-0 to Division One table-toppers Walshw, centre back Steve Harland manager Gary Goulding's selection as star performer.

In the Premier Division Bury GSOB came back to beat Rossendale Amateurs 2-1. Bury trailed at the break but Pete Lee levelled five minutes into the second half with the turning point coming with keeper Rick Leech's 75th minute penalty save. Andy Myers then raced through for he winner in the last minute.

Ambassadors had a great day winning the local derby with Wyresdale 8-1, experience telling with no fewer than five of the starting line up aged over 35.

Damian Smith scored four, brother Nick two, Andy Morley and Dave Oakley one each. Paul Crook was the losers' scorer with his 14th of the season.

RESERVES SCENE

Bury Amateurs 2nds won 6-0 at home to Ashtonians (debutant Leon McGuire 4, Rob Beaver 2),

Bury GSOB 2nds beat Rossendale 3-1 (Ian Brown 2, Dave Holland), 3rds beat Oldham 6-1 but 4ths lost 4-2 to Manchester.

Horwich RMI -2nds lost 2-1 to Heywood St James (Matt Collins), 3rds lost 5-4 to Thornleigh (Paul Hodgson 3, Dave Armstrong).

Little Lever - 2nds drew 2-2 with Oldham, 3rds beat Chads 5-0.

Radcliffe Ams - 3rds beat Blacks 2-1 (Kenny Walker, Chris Bluer - man of the match)

Thornleigh 2nds lost 5-3 to Newman College (Stephen Phillips, Nick Grimwood, Martin Rourke), 3rds beat Wyresdale 3-1 (Mark Ashton 3), 4ths beat Horwich RMI 5-4 (Glyn Davenport 2, Lee Fallows 2, Clint Aspinall.

Wyresdale 3rds lost 3-1 to Thornleigh (Stan Crawford).