Eagley ... 2

Elton Vale ... 1

TWO late goals from Eagley's Carl Grimshaw denied Elton a victory in the first of their three group games in this season's Goldline Trophy after they had led from as early as the fifth minute when Dave Malius opened his account with a header.

Vale were forced onto the rearguard for long periods after their goal but defended stubbornly on the tight, narrow pitch, albeit in immaculate condition, only to see two of their defenders limp off with injuries. The re-organised back-line gave the home striker a little too much space to blast home two shots from the edge of the penalty box.

Elton Vale ... 0

Charnock Richard ... 3

ELTON saw their slim of hopes of reaching the quarter-finals evaporate at Elton Vale Road on Wednesday evening as back-to-back West Lancashire League Premier Division champions Charnock Richard ran out comfortable winners.

In the number of chances created, there was little to choose between the teams except that the visitors mercilessly punished naive mistakes by the home side but in terms of footballing quality, Charnock, Goldline winners and beaten finalists in the last three seasons, certainly had the edge.

Vale fell behind in the seventh minute when 'keeper Steve Crossley dropped a cross under pressure from a challenge and the loose ball was easily tucked away. Steve Smith soon had a glorious chance to level the scores when put clear but mis-kicked with just the 'keeper to beat.

The second goal arrived on 25 minutes when Vale had four opportunities to clear the ball from the danger area after it had bounced off the crossbar twice but their failure to deal with the problem saw them pick the ball out of net again.

The difference in finishing was never more apparent than in the 55th minute when Chris Gledhill should have broke the net from four yards out only to stumble at the vital moment. The ball was promptly launched upfield when the ball was played into the box, the Charnock full-back buried a crisp shot.