Burscough's Vase removal reshapes the second round in the North West Counties Premier Division

The week's most consequential story came off the pitch. Burscough announced they had been removed from the FA Vase after what the club called an unintentional breach of player eligibility regulations. In a lengthy statement, the club said an appearance made by a player for his former club in an earlier round had been overlooked despite pre-match checks. It described a "genuine administrative mistake", said it discovered the error itself and contacted the Football Association voluntarily, and said it had begun reviewing its internal procedures.

Nelson, who had been drawn to host Burscough at the Daisy Arena on Saturday 31 October, will now face Parkgate, who received a reprieve into the competition. The date, kick-off and venue are unchanged.

On the pitch, Burscough responded with a 5-2 league win at Longridge Town, mounting a second-half comeback with Starkey and Dawson scoring alongside a hat-trick credited by the club to Dilon O'Connor (under the handle DilonOC_).

The other Vase second-round ties are set for the same day. Atherton Laburnum Rovers travel to Bishop Auckland, a trip the club says will be their longest away journey of the season. Prestwich Heys go to West Didsbury and Chorlton, and Droylsden visit Cheadle Town. Chadderton are at home to Bottesford Town, which will force their league game at Euxton Villa to be rearranged.

In the league, Heys made it five wins in a row in all competitions with a 2-0 victory at fourth-placed Chadderton, winger Bryson Appleton scoring in each half. Nelson won 3-0 at Ramsbottom United, Luke Hepple scoring twice and Darren Holden adding a third, which dropped the hosts to 14th. Manager Rob Henry said afterwards that injuries had left the side in a rebuild and lacking cohesion. Trafford beat South Liverpool 6-1, with Dillon Edmundson scoring a hat-trick, while Droylsden and Irlam drew 1-1 and Glossop North End and AFC Liverpool shared six goals. Charnock Richard won 2-0 at Abbey Hey through Shay Stansfield and Marcus Haydock.

At Atherton, Leighton Mills, who joined at the start of the season as assistant manager, was named first-team manager following David Jones's departure. Their home league match against Abbey Hey has been postponed because of cup commitments. Euxton Villa confirmed the departure of vice-captain Pat Bibby, who made over 300 appearances and scored 100 goals in a decade at the club.