THE heavy pitches and clubs requesting a free week for their Christmas parties made inroads to the Houlihan's Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League, with only five games taking place.

In The Tony Houlihan League Memorial Challenge Cup round Two tie, Great Float Sports & Social sank Rivacre (Jay Harvey) 4-1.

Last season's league Champions Queens Park FC lost their first league game of the season to Heygarth FC.

On the mark for Heygarth were Ki Hughes with a brace and a Robbie Williams effort.

Replying for Queens Park was a double from Lewis Willingham.

That could be the key game that changes who finishes in the top three.

Dock now look favourites to wrestle the title back.

Neston Nomads increased their lead at the top of Division One to nine points but have played three more league games than their nearest rivals, Luke Blondel and a late Jack Lloyd Penalty earned the points at Shaftesbury Youth running out 2-1 winners.

The match of the day in Division Three saw second placed Higher Bebington JFC versus league leaders Neston United.

Higher Bebington ran out 4-3 winners thanks to two strikes from Josh McKinney with further goals from Joel Whalley and Matty Toner.

Liam Jeacock, Dean Jones and Andy Lewis replied for Neston United.

Neston not only dropped their first point of the season but lost top spot to Higher Bebington JFC.

Glenavon Athletic (Tom Branscombe, Alex Perry, John McDermott, Adam Straughan) moved away from the bottom end of the table with a fine 4-1 success over Wellington FC (Dan Holden).

The Houlihan's Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League is now accepting new applications for Youth Teams to join for the 2020/2021 season, please check the League's website for contact details.