ANOTHER severe shortage of referees caused the loss of fixtures but necessary cup games did take place.

In the Dutchman Cup semi-finals Barnston PV put Vineyard on the rack when running out 4-0 winners thanks to Jason Stephens netting a fine double and both Tom Warburton and Ricardo Royes fired in singles to secure their final place with a good team effort.

Also, through to the final are Eastham Rangers Colts who rode past North Wirral Saints with a 5-1 result in which Ben Lennon, Dillon Thomas, Sean Hayes, Connor Allan and Harry Davies hit the decisive goals in a fine performance.

The First division Cup first round fixtures saw Queens Liscard take the lead before the break, but a regal second half performance by JASGA PV saw goals from Stewart Speed (2), Kieran McCabe-2, Darren Pritchard and Mike New claim a 6-1 victory.

Upton FC fought back from 0-2 down to draw level with Nelson FC as Liam Williams netted a brace of goals, but a late winner earned safe passage for Nelson into the next round as Ben Dunn (2) and Callum Morrison netted.

The only game in the First division resulted in Poulton Vics extending their lead at the top following a hard fought 4-3 success over St Andrews United, who had Josh Hitchmough (2) and Tom Jeffery as their marksmen. Bagging the goals for Vics were Jack Ledsham with a brace and Craig Kay and Tom Quest with singles.

Halfway House increased their lead at the top of the Second division when beating close rivals Trident 1-0 with a late goal from Joe Skinner in a evenly fought contest.

Eastham Rangers had Kieran Hodgson and Tay Jones on target as they beat Runcorn Select away 2-1, with Ryan Burnell scoring the lone response in a tight encounter.

The resignations of New Ferry Rangers and Wallasey Wanderers from the Dundee Youth division has caused the table to be altered and following Groves FC's defeat of Eastham Rangers Jets by 8-0 they now head the division.

Hat-tricks by Connor Howley and Liam Sparks plus a double from Connor Doyle increased their goals for column.

Grove Youth division action saw a hard fought and even fixture between Upton Youth and Groves Rovers that was decided by a late Ethan Lane goal that took the points for Upton in a 1-0 victory.

Goals from Loui Fox and John Corkhill earned AC Hoylake a share of the spoils in their 2-2 draw with Young Lions who roared back with goals from Ben Williams and Liam Owen.