Round Up 02 April 2011

WEST CHESHIRE AFL REPORT – WEEKENDING 2 APRIL 2011

With the clocks springing forward the West Cheshire Fixture Secretary springs into action to arrange midweek matches in an attempt to catch up on the games lost due to bad weather over recent months.

West Kirby took full advantage of the opportunity thrashing Southport Trinity 4-0 at their Marine Park home. The outcome could have been so different if Trinity had not squandered a rack full of goal scoring opportunities in the first half. As the second half commenced it became clear that West Kirby were a different team and completely dominated the match from then on thanks to two goals from Keiron Fleetwood and a goal apiece from Dave Forbes and Terry Cotgrave. Trinity’s recent fine run was brought to a shuddering halt. Helsby took apart bottom placed side, Blacon YC, 5-0. Lewis Buckley claimed two goals with singles from Andrew Jackson, Liam Page and Matty Johnston. A goal by Josh O’Dunonaya supplemented two goals from Aaron Bowen to give Cammell Laird Reserves a much wanted 3-2 home win over Marshalls. The visitors’ consolation goals came from Neil Wilson and Steven Thorpe. Ellesmere Port continued their recent improvement in fortune by beating Christleton by two goals to nil. A brace from Mike Jones was enough to claim all three points for the Port.

In Division Two Mossley Hill Athletic took a promotion blow losing by the odd goal in three at Hale’s Hale Farm ground. The home side took the spoils thanks to Mark Griffiths and Ged Durkin. Athletic’s only reply came from Yusef Malik. Ashville continued their imperious reign at the top of the pile, this time winning 0-3 at Heswall Reserves. Craig Griffiths, Dave Rudge and Chris Barrow were the scorers.

Saturday saw a ‘dress rehearsal’ for next month’s Pyke Cup Final when Newton entertained Maghull at their Millcroft home. However Newton will be hoping that history will not repeat itself having gone down 0-4 to the table toppers. In an evenly contested first half, Maghull took the lead when Mike Boyle lobbed the keeper on 20 minutes. Five minutes before the half time whistle Boyle sent in an unstoppable shot to put the visitors’ two goals up. Boyle went on to claim a hat trick with Sam Wilkie claiming a fourth. West Kirby had the opportunity to turn up the pressure on Maghull when they hosted Vauxhall Motors Reserves. It seemed that all was going to plan for the Deesiders as they went in at half-time 1-0 up thanks to Keiron Fleetwood. However, hero turned villain early in the second half as Fleetwood received his marching orders. Vauxhall eventually made the extra man pay claiming an equaliser late in the second half through Mark Winslade. Helsby built on their good midweek win by beating Southport Trinity 3-2. An own goal for Trinity alongside a goal for Colin Johnson were not enough to make up for scores by Andy Egar, Matty Johnston and Steve Horrocks. Saturday saw a ‘dress rehearsal’ for next month’s Pyke Cup Final when Newton entertained Maghull at their Millcroft home.

In Division two and with Chester Nomads claiming a place in the Chester Senior Cup by beating Railway Athletic in the semi, they would have been heartened as promotion rivals slipped up again this time going down 2-1 at New Brighton’s Harrison Park. Tommy Carroll claimed both for New Brighton with Athletic’s only reply coming from James Halligan. Meanwhile there appears to be no stopping Ashville who powered to a 3-0 win over Bronze Social thanks to two goals from Jamie Locke and a third from captain. Dave Huyton. This sets up the possibility of Ashville claiming the Division Two title when they entertain Nomads on 11 April.