AFTER a short closed season, it was goals galore in the Houlihan's Birkenhead Sunday Football League.

The highest-scoring game was in Division Three with an 11-goal thriller between MSC Eastham (Keith O'Toole 2, Laurence Whelan and Steven Gerrard) and Rangers Breaks who had Chris Caress to thank with a four goal salvo.

He completed his hat-trick with a spectacular overhead kick, a Carl Clampitt double with Lee Burn also on target with a 7-4 victory.

Paulo's FC made their league debut and delivered a fine 5-3 success, with Paul Johnston notching a fine hat-trick supported by efforts from Leon Bower and Callum Darby.

Another team making their debut was Woodchurch Rovers, who beat fellow new team FC Tranmere (Michael Dunn) 5-1.

On the scoresheet for Woodchurch were Kieran Dawson, Luke Cullen, Craig James, Danny Chamney and Paddy Cunningham.

Premier Division action saw defending champions Dock AFC (Matty Carlin, Danny Dixon) go down by the odd goal in five to Great Float Sports & Social, thanks to strikes from Lawrence Harris with a brace and a single from Tommy Harris.

Heygarth FC (Kieran Hughes (3), Nicky Taylor, Lloyd Ithell, Steve Forbes, Richard Feightman) had a comfortable 8-1 win at Rock Ferry Social.

A brace each for Ben Holmes and Dave Webb, with a further strike from Adam Smith, saw Queens Park open up with a strong 5-1 result at Saughall FC.

FC Bidston (David Bowe, Jamie Mearns) accounted for last season's Division One Champions and treble winners Birch Tree 2-0. 

AFC Shaftes (M Young, J Smith (2) and M Watkins) who were relegated from The Premier Division took all three points at newly-promoted Ellesmere Port Athletic (Charlie Jones, 2) while sister club Shaftesbury Youth also registered the same 4-2 scoreline thanks to strikes from Sam Upton finding the net twice with Owen Hassle and Liam Davies also on the mark at Neston Nomads.

A solitary goal from Harry Whaite was enough for Bushell Athletic to take all three points at New Ferry Rangers.

Ben Glover found the net twice for Lancelyn Glenavon to defeat FC Vineyard 2-0.

A single strike from Scott Billington for Beechwood FC saw off the strong challenge from Stirrup Sports & Social Club with a 1-0 win.

Corsair FC (Jason Bull 2, Leon Clarke, Brad Greer, Ian Duckworth and Jeddah Bayley) got off to a bright start with a resounding 6-0 result over Oval FC.

South Rangers Athletic (Sam Adams, Mike Parsons, Ben Ryan) kicked off the new season posting a 3-1 result at the expense of Wirral FC while FC Vaults (Callum Hitchman 2, Jordan McAteer) traded goals with Cad Athletic (Tommy Atherton 2, Josh Hatton) in a fine 3-3 draw.