ATHERTON Town's and the under 15s inter-league prolific goalscorer Tom Valentine bagged a hat trick to fuel his side's progress into the second round of the LFA Youth Cup.

Playing a year above himself, Tom is seldom found performing on an empty tank. So, it's fuel for thought as to what he would achieve in his own age group?

Other goalscorers for Town were Steven Dando and Neil Upton. On the league front Lads' Club ease into top spot with a seven goal blitz over lack-lustre Bromley Cross with goals from Whaley 3, Grimshaw 2, Smith and Ashworth one each.

With not many games in the Under 18s AFC and Anchor share the points while in the B section Ramsbottom Utd won 3-0 over previously unbeaten Atherton LR which sees them as the new league leaders in this division.

In what should have been the match of the day, in the Under 15s Division, Lads Club's 4-2 win over league leaders Jnr Latics moves them up the table after two recent defeats. Down at Hart Common, Westhoughton Rangers and Astley Bridge served up a 17-goal feast with the home side coming out on top with goals from newly signed Clarke 5, Francis 3, Gregory 2 and Bowles one.

That whetted the appetite of a large, enthusiastic crowd where everyone is welcomed to a splendid football location. In the under 14s there were easy wins for Ladybridge, Bolton Eagles, Hindsford and a narrow win for a strong Oxford Grove outfit.

In the Under 13s division, there were hat tricks for Hardman, Bruce, Keeling, Whittaker and Mort for four of the top teams and a double hat trick for Dale Stevens of Breightmet Utd and an easy win for Hindley Jnrs to keep them unbeaten and up in the leading pack.

CMB Westhoughton have opened a gap in the Under 12s with another good win over Lads Club thanks to a Jordan Cover hat-trick. In the Cub's Section, there are a few teams jostling for top spot after a week where there have been three different league leaders in this section.