ROYAL Oak, one of the fancied challengers for the Leigh Amateur Football League's Division One title, were left kicking themselves after the season's opening round of games.

The Oak looked to be coasting to a first day win over newcomers Kersal Vale when goals from Mark Spencer, Jason Huyton and Terry Flannery gave them a 3-0 lead after 54 minutes. But Vale stunned the Oak with three goals in the final 16 minutes to snatch a 3-3 draw. Their goals came from George Robotham, Chris Arnison (pen) and a Paul Williams leveller five minutes from time.

Another newlook side, FC Legion, started their campaign with an impressive 5-1 win at Hag Fold WMC. Their goals came from Greg Drake (2), John Barr, Mark Mather and John McLoughlin after Neil Hupton had given Hag Fold a 21st minute lead.

Moonraker made their intentions clear with a 4-1 away win over Fir Tree Rangers. Steve Anderton scored a second half hat-trick to add to an opener from Danny Brooks. Matt Seddon netted Fir Tree's 88th minute consolation.

Craig Faulkner scored inside five minutes to give Leigh Avenue the lead at Three Crowns 'A' but the home side came back to take maximum points with strikes from Chris Dawber and Alan Hough.

The Atherton derby between Rope & Anchor and George Vl ended in a 4-2 win for the home side.

Plenty of goals

The game between defending champions Higher Folds and Limelight was postponed.

There were plenty of goals in the Division Two fixtures with Horns Inn and Howe Bridge both rattling in half a dozen with Courts and Fir Tree Reserves both bagging five.

Andy Tipping scored three of Horns Inn's tally in their 6-1 home win over Three Crown's 'B'. Others to find the net were Martin Barnes, Aiden Lavery and Dave Evans with Dave Grayson's 60th minute penalty the only reply from the Crowns.

Another hat-trick star was Howe Bridge Mills' John Cassidy whose treble helped his side to a 6-1 derby win over Concert Inn. Mike Sampson, Martin Yates and Andrew Monks made up Mills' half dozen after Stuart Derbyshire had given the Concert a 27th minute lead.

The third hat-trick in Division Two came from John McNally of Fir Tree Rangers Reserves who beat Atherton Royals 5-3. Neil Ainsworth and Gary Smith scored Rangers' other two while Paul Corbett, Lee Smallshaw and Wayne Hampson were on the sheet for the Royals.

Courts had a thumping 5-0 win over Bowling Green. Goals from Jamie Brown (2), Tony Boardman and Craig Sweeney made it 4-0 at the break with the Courts having to wait until Matt Disley scored in the 85th minute to make it five.

The Ukranian Club made their debut with a 2-1 home defeat by Asda Golborne. Darren Evans scored both goals for the winners with Martin Gerrard converting a 74th minute penalty for the losers.