THE U7s Chairman's Cup Quarter Finals were affected by the weather, with only two matches being played. And both were decided by penalty shoot-outs - with amazing results.

Bolton County Pumas and Westhoughton Rangers fought out a cracker of a game that was only decided after a total of 25 penalties had been taken - and only three of them hit the back of the net.

Earlier the game had ended in a 2-2 draw. County were 2-1 ahead with only minutes remaining, when Lowe scored his second of the match to force extra time. Kellet and Bowman had given the Pumas the narrow lead.

That left the match to be decided on penalties but no one could have believed the tension-filled shoot-out.

Out of the 25 penalties that were taken only three were successful and it was left to Thomas Nicolaides to finally hit the target to send the Pumas into the semi-finals..

Penalties also decided the tie between Ladybridge Athletic and Hindley Juniors with the game scoreless after extra time. Ladybridge triumphed 2-1 on penalties with Haydock and Allanson both scoring from their spot kicks.

In the U7s Player's Cup Preliminary Round, the match between Horwich St Mary's Bombers and Oxford Grove was keenly contested and it was the Bombers who blasted their way to a quarter final against Ladybridge Bulldogs with a 3-1 result, Goals from Sam Howell (2) and Moss winning the day.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club progressed to the semi-final stages with a comfortable 4-0 score against Bury Rangers B. Luke Costello, Luke Byrom, Kane Gowans and Sam Holland all took their scoring boots with them to ensure a Lads Club victory.

In the U8s Section A, Ladybridge Bulldogs managed to stage their match with Bury Rangers A and turned in a super performance to run out 5-1 winners.

Adam Anwar, Alex Meaney, Paris Nuttall, Ross Papworth and Dean Spencer all scored one goal a piece. This victory takes the Bulldogs up to second place in the table.

In the U8s Section B, only one game was played in 'treacle' conditions! Ryan Fielding scored a hat-trick and Simon Biggar added two more to give Farnworth Tigers a comfortable 5-1 home win over North Walkden. Sam Boardman scored Walkden's goal.

In the U8s Section C, Walshaw Park Warriors and Bury Rangers B shared an eight goal thriller, with Walshaw running out 5-3 winners. Andy Bury (3) and Arron Smith (2) secured the points.

Yet again the weather conditions caused for many games to be postponed, and only four from 16 cup matches were actually played.

All the unplayed cup matches will be played instead of league games next week.

In the Chairman's Cup, two closely fought games saw Bury Rangers A secure a victory against Ladybridge Bulldogs, and Ladybridge Athletic win through against tough competition from North Walkden A.

Bury Rangers A and Ladybridge Athletic go through to the quarter final stage scheduled to be played January 13.

In the Player's Cup competition Woodbank B and Leigh RMI proceed to the quarter final stage, after convincing wins over Oxford Grove and Ladybridge Lions respectively.

Only two games were played in the Second Round of the U10s Cup competitions. In the Chairman's Cup, Hindley Juniors won through to the next round with a 6-3 victory over Bromley Cross Athletic. A tense match between Walshaw Park Warriors and Bolton County Hotspur saw it 2-2 after extra time. Walshaw won on penalties.