IN a good solid game, unfortunately marred at the finish by the over enthusiasm of both sets of supporters, the Combination U18 representative side qualified for their second final appearance of the season by beating the West Derby Junior League by 2-1. Played at a heavy Knowsley South ground, St Helens took a well deserved, wind assisted, two goal lead with fine goals from Tom Fleetwood and Jon Powell. Although facing a stiff breeze in the second period, which certainly held them in check, they held out and despite surrendering a 65 minute goal, had several chances themselves and with more luck could have won with a greater margin. They will now face the winners of the Liverpool Premier League versus South Lancs Counties semi final at the headquarters of the Liverpool County FA at Walten Hall Avenue next month.

In Combination games, Dentons Green won an exciting tussle, at home to East Villa Reserves by 3-1 with goals by Mike Pickavance, Peter Yates and David Leyland. Also in the Star Premiership York (Gary Highton) held out to beat Top Nogs 1-0. Paul Oakes goal won the game in Stars revival in beating Clock Face Miners 1-0 at home. In a tidy game at Haydock, Keith Barker and Lee Harris goals enabled Old Congs to hold Shoe 2-2. Mike Showers scored three (3) and alongside Anthony Edmondson and Ross Kennedy goals. Old Xaverians Reserves beat Farnworth 5-1 in Division One. Boilermakers striker Dave Burns scored twice to give his side a 2-0 win over Greenfields. David Fowles and Phil Roue goals gave Gerard Arms a 2-1 win at Junction. New Street, doing well in Division Two, outscored Top Nogs Reserves (Carl Dunn 2) to win 5-2 at home but Sidac Social Reserves (Carl Lewis (2)), Danny Gavin) were edged out 3-4 at home by Care Trust. Carborundum Eagles, now struggling, but still trying managed a Phil Lancaster goal, but went under 1-9 at home to Fleet Car. OCS too, went down, 5-0 away at Sony through John Doherty, Guy Rowlands and an Oke' hat-trick.

In Division Three, Andrew Perry grabbed four (4) goals and with another by Jonathan Morgan Thatto Heath outscored Lingholme 5-1 and Clock Face Miners Reserves (Alan Shaw (3), Mike Kelshall, Ross Jarvis) outscored Globe (Barry Conley, Dan Beddows) to win 5-2.

In cup games, a St Helens Law Hospital Cup quarter final tie was won by Pilkington A 4-3 away at Prescot Leisure.

A Group Two game in the Rainford Potteries Cup went to Oddfellows with a 4-3 home success over Assembly.

A Northern Cup Round Three tie at Ecclesfield was excitingly won 2-1 by Eccleston United against a strong AFC Bebbington outfit, Ashley Stone and Anthony Wilson scoring the important goals.

Next Saturday, the Combination tries to catch up on its fixtures with a full league programme.

Results Saturday March 10 Premier Division: Stars 1 Clock Face Miners 0, Dentons Green 3 East Villa Reserves 1, Old Congs 2 Shoe 2, York 1 Top Nogs 0 Division One: Old Xaverians Reserves 5 Farnworth 1, Boilermakers 2 Greenfields 0, Junction 1 Gerard Arms 2 Division Two: Sony 5 OCS 0, New Street 5 Top Nogs Reserves 2, Carborundum Eagles 1 Fleet Car 9, Sidac Social Reserves 3 Care Trust 4 Division Three: Thatto Heath 5 Lingholme 1, Clock Face Miners Reserves 5 Globe 2 St Helens Law Hospital Cup quarter final: Prescot Leisure 3 Pilkington A 4 Rainford Potteries Cup Group Two: Oddfellows 4 Assembly 3 Northern Cup Third Round: Eccleston United 2 AFC Bebbington 1 Semi Final LCFA U18 Inter League: St Helens Combination 2 West Derby League 1 Fixtures Saturday March 17 Premier Division: Top Nogs v Clock Face Miners, The Flagship v East Villa, Shoe v York, Prescot Leisure v Rainford North End, Old Congs v Knowsley South Division One: Sidac Social v Boilermakers, Pilkington A v Old Xaverians Reserves, Knowsley South Reserves v Eccleston United, Greenfields v Farnworth, Rainford North End Reserves v Gerard Arms Division Two: Official Club Speed v Sony, Fleetcar v New Street, Carborundum Eagles v Oddfellows, Care Trust v Sidac Social Reserves Division Three: Penlake Senior Reserves v Lingholme, Clock Face Miners Reserves v Thatto Heath, Assembly v Bold Rangers, The Griffin Inn v Globe