Carnforth Rangers recorded the day's highest score when they put 12 past a bemused Worth Avenue without reply.

Alex Benson opened the scoring followed by hat-tricks by Alex Gorton, Gavin Darby and Adam Icliffe with Byron Nixon scoring twice in the rout.

Storeys swept past Preston side Sumners in a one-sided game, winning 8-0.

Although Storeys were much the better side they had problems in breaking down the visitors defence until a long-range effort from Liam Jeffrey went in.

The second half saw Storeys run riot with Jeffrey completing his hat-trick, Gareth Turner scoring two including one from the spot and Mark Chisholme, Steve Miller and Steve Stirzaker all finding the net.

Marsh United had to pull out all the stops before overcoming a determined Highcross side.

Marsh went behind before the break but levelled with a goal by Lee Sparks only for Highcross to go back in front.

Marsh rallied again and Jordan Sparks scored before they forced a late penalty which goalkeeper, the long-serving Dave Shorrocks volunteered to take and he scored to win it.

Morecambe Royals had a tricky-looking trip to play South Manchester and the Royals struggled to get into the game early on.

But two goals just before half-time by Darren Briggs and Carl Manning put the Royals in charge and the second half saw Royals dominate with goals from WIll Rowell (2), Nick Edmonds and Darren Grant.

Westgate Wanderers entertained Preston side Moston Brook in a thrilling game, going down 4-3.

Westgate went into a 2-0 lead with goals by Stuart McClean and early in the second half, Stuart Gordon scored a good goal to make it 3-0.

But Westgate relaxed and the Preston side took full advantage and scored four goals in 15 minutes to steal the victory.

Boys Club travelled to AFC Padiham and led 1-0 for 50 minutes through Adam Rawlins but a mistake gave Padiham their first goal and after that it was one way traffic for the home side as they scored three more.

Caton United had to concede home advantage due to cricket and had to travel to Bolton to play Astley Bridge where they lost 5-3.

Caton could have come away with a win if they had taken the chances but could only score through Steve Oliver with a brace and an own goal.

Millhead travelled to Burnley to play Goodshaw United and put up a good performance but went down to a single goal.

Another side travelling to the Burnley area was Morecambe Hoops who wished they had not as on the way a car broke down leaving the Hoops to start with only 10 players at Read United.

Although the Hoops battled well, they could not compete finally going down 5-2.

Galgate travelled to Rock Rovers and came away with a 4-1 loss, Nathan Bindless scoring.

Freehold travelled to Rochdale to play St Albans and despite taking the lead inside the opening three minutes when Gary Davies scored from the spot, they lost 4-1 to a good side.

Villa Royale played their best football since joining the league against Bolton Wyresdale of the Manchester Premier Division.

Bolton took the lead in the opening two minutes but Villa equalised with a great Jamie Luraschi goal before half-time.

As the Villa Royale side were still celebrating, they allowed the Bolton side to take the advantage into the break with a second.


The second half saw Villa Royale throw everything at the Bolton side but Bolton broke to score a third.

Two ties fell to the weather and will be played this weekend; Highgrove travelling to Old Hulmeians and Bolton-le-Sands hosting Burscough Bridge.

In the Premier Division, Kirkby Lonsdale beat Cartmel for the first time in many years when they won 3-2.

Kirkby deserved their success with goals by player-manager Brian Pennington, Nathan Jackson and Matthew Longden.

Cartmel were always in with a chance with old stager Terry Cowperthwaite and Dean Richards finiding the net.

The only other game in the division was also close when Swarthmoor Social Club entertained unbeaten TIC Dynamos.

Martin Lewis scored twice for TIC with Steve Wiggins also on target twice but the result was in doubt as Swarthmoor rallied to score twice themselves.

In Division One, Bentham made it five wins from five games with a 4-1 win over Torrisholme while there was a comprehensive win for Highgrove Reserves, 9-3 at Grange, with Scott King, Luke Ogley and Ian Monks all getting hat-tricks.

The match of the day saw Bowerham produced an impressive performance to beat Storeys Reserves 4-3, coming back from 3-1 down after Paul Boyle had scored a hat-trick for Storeys. Joe Bouskill (2) and ex-Storeys man James Wright (2) found the net.

Morecambe Royals Reserves edged out Cartmel Reserves 3-2 while Slyne-with-Hest (LCC) and College AFC shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

In Division Two, Furness Rovers held Arnside to a 1-1 draw while Kirkby Lonsdale Reserves beat Slyne with Hest (LCC) 'A' for the second time.

In Division Three, the derby between Burton Thistle and B ended in a 3-3 draw while Halton Rangers Reserves won again, 2-0 over Boys Club Reserves. Squires won 4-2 at Allithwaite and Gregson drew 1-1 at home to Bentham Reserves.

In Division Four, Highgrove Colts got their season under way, winning 3-0 at Morecambe Cricket Club Reserves.

An injury-hit Moghuls side struggled to beat Heysham Reserves 1-0 while Millhead Reserves beat Overton Reserves 4-2.