ONE of the top games this weekend is the Bolton Combination Premier Division clash between the two sides expected to be right up there all season battling tooth and nail for the championship title - AFC Walkers v Hindley Green.

The unknown quantity are obviously the new teams and one of them, Seedfield Sports Club, gave Hindley Green a good hiding last weekend in a 5-0 defeat. Last season's runners-up bounced back to earn a hard-fought point in an exciting 2-2 drew with Hindsford in midweek but still have important key players missing. There's also the big local derby, British Aerospace against Blackrod Town. In Division One, champions Atherton C&N Reserves must travel to new boys Kersal Vale. Fancied Stoneclough must travel to a Tyldesley United side that has been well marshalled under the management of Phil Lowe. Monton Amateurs had their eyes opened with a 4-1 defeat by Stoneclough in their inaugural game and will not find the trip to a strong Adlington Athletic side any more comfortable.

Division two sees the clash of last season's Division Cup finalists, Ainsworth FC Reserves and Atherton S&S. Tottington United have had to disband their Reserve side.

The side promoted into the Premier Division, Blackrod Town, paid dearly for missed chances against an Atherton C&N outfit that is very difficult to peg back once it gets its nose in front. Hindley Green and Hindsford shared the spoils in a cracking 2-2 draw, with only an upright denying the visitors a victory in the last minute. Ainsworth made it two wins out of two with a superb 6-2 triumph at Kersal Lads Club. In Division Two, Edbro Farnworth CC have made a cracking start with two opening wins, both by 14-0 margins!

Midweek Results. Premier Division: Blackrod Town 0, Atherton C&N 2; Hindley Green 2, Hindsford 2; Kersal Lads Club 2, Ainsworth 6.

Division Two: Ambassadors Res 0, Edbro Farnworth CC 14.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.