NEWLY-PROMOTED Horwich Ladies' first team kicked off their Greater Manchester League Division Two campaign with a 3-0 victory at Bury second team.

Helen Roocroft found space to strike the opening goal on 18 minutes and she doubled the lead in the second half when she was found with a pass from defence and she beat three players before finding the back of the net.

Becky Howarth converted a short corner to complete a convincing win.

The newly-formed Horwich Ladies' second team had a losing start as they went down 5-1 at Didsbury Northern's sixth team a Division Three/Four cup game.

Horwich goalkeeper Nic Dodds was resilient, making a number of super saves and, despite her efforts and those of her defence the first half finished 4-0.

A better second half brought one goal apiece with Zara Kour striking home after the ball had been carried into the D by Lara King.

Horwich men's first team went down 6-2 at Keswick in their first game in Division Four North following promotion.

It was always going to be tough against a side that missed out on promotion by just one point last season.

The home side pressed high from the whistle and made their intentions clear, punishing Horwich’s slow start with a goal on 10 minutes, quickly followed with another two minutes later.

A shell-shocked Horwich tried to regroup and keep up with a fast-paced, quick-passing home side.

After absorbing a bit of pressure Keswick added two more on 21 and 25 minutes.

Horwich rallied and forced a short corner that Tony Sanderson converted on 38 minutes, but Keswick rammed home their first-half superiority with a goal two minutes later.

Horwich improved in the second half. They reduced the arrears five minutes after the restart when a flowing move saw Andy Barr convert with a neat finish, and they continued to push forward with a higher tempo and better possession, moving the ball around with renewed confidence.

They had adjusted to the pace of the game and matched Keswick in every position.

And it was against the run of play that Keswick broke and scored their sixth.

The newly-formed Horwich men's second team took the local bragging rights with a resounding 6-0 demolition of Bolton third team.

David Fox put them 1-0 up at half time in the team's first competitive game when he converted Andy Robertson’s sublime cross.

The home side produced flowing, attacking hockey in the second half which saw five more goals including a double from Mo Butt.