DOUBLING UP IN THE HOPE OF LANDING NATIONAL SUCCESS.

LIVERPOOL Boys under-13s and Merseyside Girls under-16s are the only two local representative sides remaining in this season's national knockouts.

Three straight wins over Spen Valley (7-0), Stockport (2-0) and away at West Bromwich (5-1) have provided Liverpool with a home tie in round four against Wigan on Saturday at the Liverpool Soccer Centre (10.30am).

Already this season they have recorded a victory over the Lancastrians. Just before Christmas, goals from Joey Johnson (2), Nathan Burke and Matthew Lundy produced a 4-1 win over their opponents in a North West Cup quarter-final.

The Merseyside Girls' opponents in the semi final of the under-16 North West county competition are still unknown.

Victory would secure a place in the latter stages of the national inter county cup.

Liverpool under-15s recovered from their defeat by Leeds in the English trophy with a 2-1 win over Wirral. Paul Leahy scored twice, with James Carey netting in reply.

At primary level, Liverpool and Wigan are again vying for top spot in the under-11 Merseyside league.

After five games both are unbeaten on 15 points, with Wirral in third with 13. Liverpool and Huyton will contest the Everton Cup final at Goodison Park on a date to be announced. Huyton are the Merseyside representatives in the ESFA 7-a-side knockout.

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CHASING HONOURS: The Liverpool under-11s are joint top in the Merseyside League