Round Up 12 March 2011

CARLSBERG WEST CHESHIRE AFL
WEEKLY REPORT: SATURDAY 12 MARCH 2011

Midweek saw the long awaited Cheshire Amateur Cup semi-final tie between local giants of the League, West Kirby and Division Two leaders, Ashville take place at Cammell Laird’s Kirkland ground. In a shock result except for those from Wallasey, Ashville won through to the final by three goals to nil. Early in the game Lee Bridge found himself running onto goal with only the goalkeeper to beat which he duly did. Despite West Kirby protests that Bridge was in an offside position when receiving the ball, the goal stood. This setback appeared to affect The Deesiders and, to an extent, they lost their concentration. Their woes were further compounded when, midway through the half and in similar circumstances, West Kirby ‘keeper, Matty Hogg was sent off for denying Ashville an obvious goal scoring opportunity. West Kirby’s captain, Lee Gibson took over the goalkeeper’s jersey and saved the resultant penalty attempt. With tie still at 1-0 at half-time, West Kirby had the opportunity to reorganise. Unfortunately Gibson was unable to keep hold of a goal bound shot and the ball fell perfectly for Tim Bigland to slot home. Gibson was left stranded when following a series of passing moves, Ashville set up Danny Edwards to score the third and secure the tie.

West Kirby had an early opportunity to take revenge for the defeat when they travelled to Villa Park for a Wirral FA Senior Cup semi-final tie. Unfortunately their fortunes did not change with Ashville again claiming a semi-final place by a 3-1 score line, albeit after extra time. Two goals from Jamie Locke and a single from Lee Bridge made for a very good week for Ashville. Dave Forbes replied for West Kirby. Ashville will meet Vauxhall Motors in the final. The Motormen won 1-2 at Heswall’s Gayton Park, again after extra-time. Anton Ashton and Nick Chambers did the damage for Motors with Dave Swaine claiming the solitary reply.

In the First Division Maghull continued to take advantage of West Kirby’s cup exploits by winning 1-4 at Christleton. Ben Sumner, Tom Foley, Sam Wilkie and Michael Boyle deflated Christleton’s hopes of a home win whose only goal came from Jamie Rogers. Fifth placed Newton strolled to a 0-5 win at seemingly relegation doomed Blacon YC. Scorers: Eddie Szostak, Paul Robinson, Jamie Hannah, Lee Kissock and Kevin Wright. First Division first timers, Southport Trinity entertained Helsby at their ‘exile’ home of Netherpool Sports in Ellesmere Port. In a really entertaining game, Southport took the lead when a heavily hit cross was chested down by Ian Morrison. Despite the ball running away from him, Morrison was able to gather the ball unchallenged turn and fire home a fierce shot. Helsby’s woes deepened when a speculative long shot from Kevin Kirkpatrick deceive the visitor’s ‘keeper who found himself stranded and watching the ball go in the bottom left corner of his goal. Towards the end of the half, Helsby reduced the deficit to one goal when Liam Page’s free kick took a wicked deflection. Trinity’s goalkeeper could do nothing to stop the score. An intriguing second half was set-up with Helsby dominating the play limiting Trinity to the odd break away. Helsby received no reward for their endeavour when, with the last move of the game, a near post cross found substitute, Carl Ennis, who rose to power a headed goal home and secure the three points for Southport. In the remaining First Division matches Cammell Laird (Craig Donaghy, Paul Tosney) beat Upton AA (Simon Andrews) 2-1; Ellesmere Port (Ben Harvey, OG) beat Marshalls 2-0; and Marine (Ray Pearson, 2) beat Willaston (Paul Ellison) 2-1.