Stick in the mud ruins Royales day MOMENT of the day happened at Farnworth Royales with a last minute incident that wouldn't look out of place on an episode of "Sporting Bloomers".

With Farnworth 1-0 down and the ref about to blow for full time, their centre forward raced clear of Howcroft's defence, beat the keeper and hit a shot towards the goal.

It would have been a tremendous finish but for a flippin' big puddle on the line which the ball landed in. It stopped dead and the defence were able to clear as the home supporters groaned in disbelief.

Howcroft hung on for a 1-0 win to keep them going well in Division One.

In the Concorde Conservatory Roofs sponsored Premier League, newly promoted Shakespeare turned in the performance of the week thrashing rivals Allboro 8-1.

A superb hat-trick from Damian McCauhrie inspired Shakespeare to a victory which takes them top of the Premier Division.

The thumping win came on the back of last week's tremendous victory over last season's champions Castle and it proves that Shakespeare are in with a real chance of mounting a serious championship challenge.

Farrell 2, Toner 2, Maher and Burns scored the other goals for Shakespeare.

They take over at the top from Radcliffe Amatuers who slipped up at home to Lodge Bank, beaten 3-2 with Settle scoring an excellent hat-trick for the visitors.

Elsewhere, heavy rain ruined what was potentially on course to be one of the most exciting matches of the season.

With a scoreline of Bowling Green 3 Gibraltar Rock 4 at the half way point, the ref decided he had no option but to call the game off because the pitch was waterlogged. The match will now be replayed.

One of the goalscoring performances of the week came in the 1st Division from RS Walkden's Porter who netted four times in his team's 9-2 win at Bibby's.

All teams are reminded to get their results to the league secretary on time or else they will be fined.

Matches kicking off at 11am have to be in by 2pm, and 2pm kick off's by 5pm.