THE customary Bill Weight Memorial Trophy semi-finals preceded the start of the West Cheshire League season in midweek and finalists were resolved after South Liverpool and Hale respectively curtailed the hopes of Newton and Page Celtic.

Newton led 2-0 through Ross McDowell and Ryan Beigan before South levelled via Danny Ventre and Sarif Yusuf and then went through 9-8 on pens.

Last term's Division Two champions,Hale, had Jack Walker and Brad Mason on the mark in the 2-1 eclipse of Division Three champions, Page Celtic, who replied throughThomas Moore.

Reigning Division One champions South Liverpool were brought down to earth with a bump at the weekend, after efforts from Rhys Sharrock and Mike Davidson gave newly promoted Ellesmere Port Town a deserved 2-0 result.

It was opening day blues also for Ashville, who capitulated 6-0 to goals from Upton AA's Nathan Mapletoft (three) Dan Chatburn (two) and Joe Melia while Maghull's Wayne Smith was another three goal star who shone in his side's 6-2 decision over Neston Nomads.

Further goals from Marcus Stewart, Elliot Toner and Dave Thompson completed the hosts' contribution, with Jake Hulley and Stewart Jackson in reply for Nomads.

A Jacob Jones double was supplemented by further efforts from Craig Blackwell, Jordan Dilworth, Ben Helme and Robbie McDonald, as Redgate Rovers opened their account after they won 6-1 against Marshalls.

Joe Connolly netted the visitors' consolation. Despite a smart double from Jimmy Eves, Hale conceded 3-2 to replies from Newton's Rod McDowell (two) and Ryan Beigan, while Vauxhall Motors Res.had Sean Moscrop on target, but put through their own net as their clash with Mossley Hill Ath. finished 1-1.

Mossley's reserve side started their Division Two campaign on a losing note, when they went down 4-0 at Heswall, who celebrated the win with goals from Rob Williams (two) Adam Walker and Mike Bristow.

A solitary strike from Dean Flemming earned Ashville Res. maximum spoils against Maghull Res.

It was the same scoreline at Capenhurst Villa, who were undone by a goal from Litherland Remyca's Mark Barnes.

A Peter Kettle penalty failed to prevent Prescot Cable Res from going down 2-1 at home to West Kirby Res, who sealed the issue, courtesy of efforts from Darryl Hellon and Zach Phillips.

Newly promoted Page Celtic beat fellow promoted side, Wirral SB, 2-1, with goals from Steve Daley and Liam Hollett. The hosts' marksman was Jack McGrotty.

In Division Three, Mersey Royal led 2-0 through James Ludbrook and Charlie Norman but it was newcomers, Aintree Villa, who profited, after they emerged 3-2 victors, thanks to efforts from Matty Callaway (2) and Stephen Anderson.

Ninety minutes failed to produce a goal between Poulton Royal and Wirral Services, but there was opening day elation for Heswall Res, who won 2-1 at South Sefton Borough. Robbie Horgan and Aaron Woods were the scorers.

Harrison Roberts and Oscar Ratnaike made the scoresheet, as Neston Nomads Res. accounted for Marshalls Res. 2-1 and Chester Nomads Res, also won, when Mitch Mowatt,Kieran Graham and an own goal anchored them to a 3-1 result over Redgate Rovers Res.