THE first piece of silverware for the season was picked up by reigning Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One champions Maghull, who overcame last term's Division Three champions, Rainhill Town, in the Bill Weight Memorial Cup Final.

Maghull won 3-0 and then completed an excellent week's work, after efforts from Mike Cummins, Colin McDonald and Robbie Madine secured their passage into the second round of the Liverpool County FA's Challenge Cup, following a 3-1 triumph over Old Xaverians.

In Division One, a stunning strike form Matty Johnson wasn't enough, as Helsby capitulated 2-1 at home to replies from fifth placed Mossley Hill Ath.'s Yusuf Malik and Callum Holmes.

Newton returned to winning ways, when they won 3-1 against Chester Nomads, courtesy of goals from Ged King, Jamie Hannah and Jack McDowell, while Mike McGaa struck twice as Vauxhall Motors overcame Ashville 4-0.

Efforts from Kyle Smith and Shaun Weaver anchored Capenhurst Villa to a 2-1 eclipse of Southport Trinity.

Honours were shared after Upton AA finished 1-1 with West Kirby. Nathan Mapletoft and Josh Rice were the respective marksmen.

Four goal Craig Blackwell took the plaudits, as Redgate Rovers blitzed Bebington Ath. 5-1, in the Haworth & Gallagher first round, and it was celebration time for Vauxhall Motors Reserves when a Danny Norris double inspired them to a 3-0 result at Ashville Res.

Squeak Clarkson bagged both goals for Willaston, but still finished on the losing side, after Maghull Reserves hit back through Adam Peterson, Tom Brown and Marco Parvas to claim a 3-2 extra time victory.

Elsewhere, Mossley Hill Athletic Res won by the same scoreline against Richmond MAGS, thanks to goals from John O'Sullivan (2) and David Kelly.

Division Three leaders, South Liverpool Res, scored through Neil Roach but had to settle for a point, after Jackson Ellis replied for Bootle Res.

A hat trick from Ryan Johnson was supplemented by a Callum Laird double as FC St.Helens romped home 7-0 against Marshalls Res. while goals were also the order of the day, as second placed Kikby Town Railway posted a 6-0 result over Capenhurst Villa Res.

Aiden Culshaw, Terry Naylor, John Humphreys, Josh Peake, Tom Morgan and Jordan Carney found the net for the winners.

Richie Foulkes and Paul Ellison were the marksmen, as Neston Nomads accounted for Chester Nomads Res. 2-0. Third placed Ford Motors, were indebted to goals from Terry Keenan (2) and Connor Lewsis for their 3-2 win against Upton AA Res.

Ross Pringle and Danny Read netted as Heswall Res. beat Everton PLH 2-1 while Belfry top scored, after efforts from Mike Ordish (3), Jay Roberts (2), John Milner(2) and James Marsh set up an 8-1 decision over Mersey Royal.

Dave Mee (2), Jordan McGowan, Alex Walsh and Alex Griffiths were the marksmen, as unbeaten Youth Division leaders, South Liverpool Youth, emerged 5-2 victors against Newton Youth.

Kevin Day was a two-goal star for Ellesmere Port Town Youth who won 4-1 at Chester Nomads Youth while Custys' Sean Smith went one better with a hat trick in guiding his side to a 12-2 success at Hale Colts.

On the County scene, the all-West Cheshire clash between South Liverpool and Hale in the Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup first round, was settled 7-6 on penalties in Hale's favour following a 3-3 stalemate.

Marshall progressed after Lucas Parquet and an Ashley Hawthorne penalty clinched a 2-1 victory at Prescot Cable Res.