Last updated 19:48, Thursday, 25 September 2008

TESCO Cumberland champions Netherhall maintained their winning start to the season but only just.

A narrow victory over Mirehouse keeps them top of the league on goal difference.

Karl Fillingham hit the solitary goal and despite Shaun Smith been sent off Netherhall hung on.

Aspatria kept the pressure on but that too was down to a decision by the referee.

Ryan Irvine and Malcom Graham fired Aspatria into a two-goal lead before Frizington hit back through Alan Blair and Dean Rodgers.

Aspatria got a penalty in a bizarre decision that was converted by Richard Hudson and Kenneth Bowes made it 4-2.

Blair hit his second but it was that refereeing decision which cost Frizington what would have been a well-earned point.

St Bees were no match for Whitehaven AFC. Neil Woodburn netted for the Saints but the AFC scored through Stephen Graham (2), Barry Hewitt, Kevin Holliday and Stephen Priestley.

Hearts went through to the quarter finals of the AP&J Brown Builders Divisional Cup despite losing to Wigton Athletic 6-1 on the day thanks to a 10-1 win in the first leg.

St Margaret Mary’s should be favourites to join them after a first-leg score of 3-0, Ashley Pattinson, Graham Henderson and Brian Lynas getting the goals.

The J Edgar & Son Conway Cup saw three of the four planned ties go ahead, Whitehaven Miners v Bransty Rangers falling foul to the weather.

Longtown went out as Wigton Harriers, who have already been dumped out of two cups by lower league sides, made no mistake this time as they won 2-0.

Silloth put their league form behind them to beat Carlisle City 4-0. Paul Hayton netted two while David Millican and Brian Hayhurst also netted.

Salterbeck also hit form as they start to reap the benefits of teaming up with Workington Reserve team manager Herbert Briggs.

Gregg Mitchell, Grant Bell, Lee McCullough and Shaun Pilling play for both clubs and along with the likes of Andrew Rowntree, Scott Weston and Brian Straughton, they are starting to click as Cleator Moor Celtic discovered.

Straughton (2), Liam Cooke (2) and one each from Rowntree, Weston and Shaun Pilling saw off the challenge of the green and whites as it finished 7-0 to Salterbeck.

Fixtures – Tesco premier: Aspatria v Longtown, Cleator Moor Celtic v Frizington White Star, Cockermouth v Netherhall, Silloth v Mirehouse, Wigton Harriers v Salterbeck.

Tesco division one: St Margaret Mary’s v Bransty Rangers.

CVR Whitehaven Cup first round: Whitehaven Miners v Carlisle City.

AP&J Brown Builders Divisional Cup quarter-finals first leg: Hearts v St Bees, Windscale v Whitehaven AFC.