THERE were a couple of surprises in the opening round of the Crewe Regional League Divisional Cup competitions.
In the Premier Division competition, goals from Robinson and Jinks helped Sydney Arms overcome Willaston White Star 2-1 with Murrell scoring for Star, while another upset saw Nantwich Young Farmers thrash Ancient Briton 5-2. Deane bagged a brace for Farmers with Lomas, Sherwin and Cornes also on target.
Briton replied through Caldwell and Cornock.
The remaining ties went to form with Scarlett scoring four times in Bentley Motors' 7-0 defeat of Wickstead, while Betley beat White Lion 5-0 thanks to an Archer brace and single strikes from Jennings, Ashworth and the everreliable Peter Muncey.
In the First Division Cup, the big tie between Beeston Hotel and Elephant went to extra-time and Beeston eventually came out on top 5-3.
Walton and Hopkins scored twice each for Beeston with Wilson also on target, while Wayne, Butterley and Turner shared Elephant's tally.
Clay Lane also needed extra-time before overcoming The Peacock 3-1 thanks to goals from Barlow, Withnall and Jawe.
Salvador provided the surprise by beating Fox Elworth 4-2 with a Moore double, Barnes and an own goal making up their tally, while Simmons and Tracie replied for Fox. Nantwich Town eased past Railway Hotel 2-0 with goals from Ben Spruce and an Ian Glover own goal, while AC Wickstead enjoyed a narrow 2-1 success against Crewe Corinthians with strikes from Bryan Adams and Anthony Tomkinson. Danny Mair grabbed Corinthians' consolation.
Hop Pole put five past The Express without reply in the other tie, with Bainham scoring twice and Mutch, Finn and Ralphs once apiece.
There was one Premier Division League game played, with Wrenbury seeing off Frog and Ferret 3-2. Judson, Phillips and Griffiths were Wrenbury's marksmen with Jennings and Simcott replying for the Frog.
In the Cheshire and Border Counties Sunday League, Alsager Cricket Club regained top spot in Division One with a 5-0 win over Military Arms, with North, Elkington, Palin, Prendergast and Atters all on target.
Devonshire Arms picked up their first points of the season after beating Celtic Rangers 6-5 in a thrilling contest. Sutton, Wood, Morris, Bird, Elkington and Wheaton shared the Devonshire goals with Dagman hitting a hat-trick and Bostock a brace for Rangers.
Four goals by Baddiley helped Alsager Plough to a 9-0 defeat of bottom club Crew United.
In Division Two, Coppenhall moved three points clear at the top of the table with a 4-2 win over Broughton Arms. Steele, Johnson, Butters and Costean netted for Coppenhall with Butler and Tonks replying for Arms.
A Fox brace saw LMR overcome Three Pigeons 4-0 with Moore and Palin making up the tally, while Broughton United recorded their first win of the season by beating Unionese 3-1.
