CHRISTLETON opened their Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One programme with a superb 3-1 victory over new boys Mond Rangers.
Craig Warrington, Tommy Rowlands and Chris Herbert plundered the goals which welcomed Mond to Division One. Darren Moore hit the target for the Runcorn outfit.
Champions Heswall, who were pushed all last season by Christleton, were not so emphatic in their start to 2005-06 as they edged a 1-0 result away at Castrol Social in Friday's curtain-raiser.
The all-Chester Division Two clash between Blacon YC and Upton AA at Cairns Crescent sprang to life after just 36 seconds as Matty McQuillan scored the first of his two goals for Blacon.
Mike McLean struck twice for Upton, before Lee Silk popped up with a timely winner for the visitors.
Saturday was a day to forget for Chester Nomads, who suffered a 3-0 reversal at last term's third-placed Capenhurst Villa.
James Fletcher (2) and Alan Locke found the net for Villa, but local rivals Willaston had to settle for a share of the spoils after finishing 2-2 with Maghull Reserves.
James Clare and Mark Baldwin obliged for Willaston, with Tony Langley and Dave Hughes in reply for the visitors.
Christleton Reserves were in action on Friday against Helsby, who celebrated an emphatic 5-0 victory.
Tonight there is another big derby game as Christleton Reserves take on Upton AA at Little Heath (6.30pm).
In Division Three Ian Lewis and John Igglesden found the net for Merseyside Police Reserves, but it was Chester visitors St Werburgh's who took the honours, winning 4-3.
A derby between Grange Athletic and Ellesmere Port Reserves went in Port's favour, Chris Hayes and Mark Roberts each scoring twice to set up a comfortable 4-0 victory.
It was celebration time also for Capenhurst Villa Reserves, who were
indebted to efforts from Duncan Tolan and Lee Hammond in their fine 2-0 result at MBNA.
The midweek semi-finals of the Bill Weight Memorial Trophy sprang two surprise results, with Heswall capitulating 4-0 to Vauxhall Motors Reserves and Mond Rangers getting the better of New Brighton in a penalty shootout.
Vauxhall's came back to haunt reigning Division One champions Heswall, with Paul Addo and Neill McCann each bagging a brace. The Motormen dented Heswall's pride at the end of last season by beating them in the Wirral FA Senior Cup Final.
Newly promoted Division Two champions New Brighton and Mond Rangers clashed in the other semi, Mond going through on penalties.
Prior to Saturday's 0-0 stalemate between Newton and Poulton Vics, League president Ken Halsall made a presentation to referee George Leicester in recognition of his 500th West Cheshire fixture.
