Monday’s 1-0 win against FC United of Manchester made it three victories and a draw for the Robins so far, putting them on top of the table with five goals scored and none conceded.

Credit where it’s due as Blyth defended like Trojans, while Droylsden’s lack of a cutting edge up front cost them dearly.

In front of a bumper crowd, the home side took the points thanks to a fine strike from Lee Steele.

The Evo-Stik League side were held to a gaolless draw by their Vodkat League opponents at the Tameside Stadium last weekend.

A blustery wind, allied to a firm pitch, made control difficult, but United started confidently following their midweek victory at Colwyn Bay.

Alderley captain Jason Whittaker had no hesitation in inviting Hyde to bat first on a green wicket.

Last weekend saw Newtonhurst book their place in the final with victory over Heyside’s thirds in a rain-reduced meeting.

Having defeated Leigh Genesis on the opening day, hopes were high Curzon could make it a double.

The Robins were made to fight all the way for the three points by a resilient Burscough side, who could not find any way past the Ashton defence despite enjoying long periods of possession, especially in the second half.

Bamber Bridge opened the game in high gear and took the game to their hosts with Collinge forced to save an early effort by Towey.

Nuneaton offered little threat up front for most of the 90 minutes, yet a moment’s lost concentration, and Droylsden found themselves a goal behind.

There was no hint of the drama to come when, after taking a second minute lead through Jody Banim’s early entry for ‘goal of the season’ and totally dominating the first half, Phil Marsh doubled the advantage two minutes after the break with his third goal in as many games.

This time it was Alfreton who continued with their own strong start to the season with their second 5-1 away victory of the week and a repeat scoreline of the game at Ewen Fields last year.

With both teams eager to make a good start to the season after weeks of pre-season the game started edgily with tempers occasionally flaring.

Batting first, Saints lost the early wicket of Scott Allen, but that was the Denton bowlers’ only success for two hours as Imran Mirza and Oran Simms added 214 for the second wicket.

The home side batted first and were all out for 129 before Damian Weatherhead’s 73 helped the visitors to a six-wicket success.

Matthew Kilheeney, 24, spends his working life taking x-rays of sporting injuries only to risk them himself when he takes to the pitch for a game of Aussie Rules.

Nantwich skipper Andy Newton elected to bat first but must have quickly rued that decision as Rob Woolley dismissed Rob Howell and Chris Simpson for ducks.

The Robins host Burscough at Hurst Cross following an off-season which saw their existence come into doubt.

However it was one of the team he inherited, Shane Killock, who had a spell at Hyde, who looked a class above anybody else on the pitch.

United have failed to beat Celtic in 14 attempts with this win being the Bower Boys’ 13th over their hapless opponents.

The Badgers took an early lead when a shot was blocked but fell kindly to Lindon Meikle, who couldn’t miss from close range.

However, two substitutions at the break changed fortunes for Hyde, and in a spirited second half showing, they probably deserved a point by the end.

On winning the toss Bowdon captain Carl Hey elected to bat first on the most notoriously difficult wicket in the league.

Having won the toss and asked their visitors to bat first on a bowler-friendly wicket, Tinsel reduced their opponents to 97-6 before they were eventually all out for 160.

With the pitch looking the greenest it had been all season, it was an important toss to win but unfortunately Droylsden skipper Mike Schofield lost it and his side were invited to bat first.

They batted first against Foresters on Saturday and, helped by an unbroken last wicket stand of 24, totalled 152-9.

In division one, Gamesley were beaten at Knutsford by the league’s top scorers that day.

The Bloods’ chief, whose antipathy to all things Bower Fold-related is well known, has mocked Celtic’s move to go full-time this season.

The close season saw the Tigers drop the ‘United’ part of their name and their red and white kit for a blue and white strip bearing the ‘City in the Community’ logo.

Much has been made of Celtic’s decision to go full-time on what is effectively a part-time budget.

The Bloods’ hopes of returning to the Blue Square Bet Premier were ended by Fleetwood Town following a penalty shootout.

Two first half goals from Danny Egan, followed by a quick-fire second half hat-trick from Aaron Burns did the damage.

Glodwick skipper Nigel Stock won it and immediately inserted the vistors on a wet, green pitch that had the bowlers rubbing their hands.

On winning the toss, Oulton captain Nathan Dumelow inserted Hyde on a damp surface which looked bowler-friendly.

The visitors batted first and rattled up a total of 236-5, Matt Robinson top-scoring with 70, while skipper Rick Harris and Andy Littler both made half-centuries.

The Commonwealth light-middlewight champion will vacate his belt and is focusing on another meeting with Hatton, the European welterweight title holder.

Then, try to contemplate what it would be like to be told you would have a different position to the one you originally envisaged.

Visiting skipper James Duffy won the toss and elected to bat first on a firm but greasy wicket under leaden skies.

The hosts struggled to 140-8 before the showers came with Hadfield 12 runs short of victory and eight wickets down in reply.

Skipper Mike Schofield won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first on a wet, green surface.

Luke Swards helped Woodhouses to a 155-run defeat of their visitors by hitting a century and taking two wickets.

Ashton enjoyed the better of the first half, ex-Mossley striker Danny Egan having the first effort on goal when his shot was tipped over by Peter Collinge.

The former pupil at St Mary’s Dukinfield, West Hill and Ashton Sixth Form College, came away with a bronze medal from the final at Moncton, Canada.

The 18-year-old set out for her new life on Monday with Davenport University, Michigan, her destination.

The stars of the show were Fairfield’s ‘Crazy Gang’ of Bill O’Malley, Darren Wild, Chris Atkinson and Danroy Heathcote, who arrived dressed as Scouts.

Glen Rule, Kristian Platt, Nathan Finnigan and Lloyd Ellams are the new arrivals.

The North Road men travelled to Denton on Saturday, looking to bounce back following the disappointing result against Denton West the week before.

Lowe’s men faced Bolton Wanderers as the Advertiser went to press on Tuesday before Sheffield United travel to the Tameside Stadium seven days later.

Irlam won the toss, batted first and saw skipper Hood strike 33 from 27 balls before he was dismissed.

The Green scored a massive 385-2 in their 45 overs in which Jordan Henderson bludgeoned 156 off just 92 balls.

Fieldhouse captain Paddy McKeown won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first on what looked a fairly bland pitch.

A new clubhouse and a transformed course will make it one of the region’s top clubs.

Eleven-year-old Jessica Lyons (pictured), of Peregrine Crescent, won the title at Oldham’s Tara Leisure complex, defying sultry conditions on her way to victory.

‘Magic’ climbed off the canvas in the first round at Bolton Arena to secure a unanimous points victory over Ukrainian Yuriy Nuzhnenko last Friday.

The match was the first at the totally revamped and rebranded Ewen Fields and there was plenty for the supporters to admire both on and off the field.

Blue Square North sides Droylsden, Hyde United and Stalybridge Celtic can share in a seven-figure sum donated by the Premier League to the Football Conference clubs.

The squally early morning weather did not provide much hope that there would be any play at all, but a substantial mopping-up operation meant a 24-over-a-side game could take place.

It was a case of third time lucky for Mike Schofield’s men as Greenfield had beaten Droylsden in their previous League and Tanner Cup encounters this season.

On winning the toss Hyde captain James Duffy elected to put the home side in to bat on a firm but worn pitch.

However, play was only delayed by an hour as both teams got to play a game reduced to 38 overs per side.

After last week’s hiccup, Hawk Green bounced back to form and extended their lead at the top of division one following victory at Dinting.

The Stockport Metro youngster helped the British juniors to second spot in both the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays.

The younger Hatton makes the first defence of his European welterweight title against Nuzhnenko at Bolton Arena.

The away team batted first and skipper Matt Woodcock led the way with 86 not out in a total of 223-8, Harris and Atkinson claiming three wickets each for Tinsel.

Skipper Mike Schofield won the toss and surprisingly inserted the home side. This was a tactic he used in the game at Oakfield between these teams and the result was the same then.

Home skipper James Duffy was pleased to lose the toss as the visitors elected to bat first on a firm, but grassy, wicket.