Last season's Mexborough Premier Division runners-up Groves Social got off to a winning start with an 8-1 demolition of Mexborough Main Street Juniors in the preliminary round while Division One winners Queens United strolled past Upper Haugh Dynamos 7-3.

The Lord Conyers in Conisbrough once again have a representative in the competition after a year absence as the Conisbrough Conyers beat Welfare FC, formerly St Albans, 6-1 to advance to the competition proper where they will be joined by Mexborough Pocket and Swinton WMC who saw off White Bear 4-1 and Hilltop Hotel 8-0 respectively.

The first round saw the big guns enter the competition as Mexborough Sunday League champions Goldthorpe Comrades, cup holders Mexborough Main Street, losing finalists Dearne CMW and County Senior League champions Wombwell Main all began their campaign.

Main got off to the best possible start with a 4-1 win over Conisbrough Conyers but Dearne will definitely not be joining them in the latter stages this season after they were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Mexborough Pocket following a 1-1 draw.

Comrades set off in hunt of one of the few pieces of silverware that alluded them last season as they beat Conisbrough Alma 4-0.

There was a sense of deja vu as Groves Social hosted Westville in the first round proper as the West Melton side triumphed on penalties after a 1-1 draw, as they did 12 months ago in the second round.

James Smith struck the winning penalty for Westville and set up a second round local derby tie with Queens United which took place last night.

Cottage advanced after narrowly seeing off Swinton WMC from the penalty spot 5-4 following a 2-2 draw while Queens United went through after beating Thurnscoe Coronation 3-2.

Wombwell Main are through after a comprehensive 5-0 win over Swinton Station Over-35s while Plough complete the lineup after beating Bolton Social 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

The second round will see the mouthwatering tie between Wombwell Main and Goldthorpe Comrades, Cottage hoping for a giant killing against Mexborough Main Street, Plough hosting Mexborough Pocket and the local derby between Queens United and Westville.